Times Observer file photo Mulberry Park could receive a $1.13 million facelift. The City Council is backing a grant application to the state DCNR that would pay for half of the project.

The Warren City Council is moving forward with a grant application for a $1.13 million rehabilitation project for Mulberry Park.

Council members unanimously approved starting the grant application process for a $500,000 state DCNR grant that would pay for about half of the project. The grant requires a 50% matching fund commitment, though the city right now would be on the hook for $353,296 after a $130,000 pledge from a local foundation and another possible foundation award of $130,000 that is expected this spring. The city’s $353,296 portion of the project would be part of the 2026 city budget that will be approved later this year.

“If this money isn’t granted, is there an alternate plan to get something done at Mulberry Park, which is definitely a need,” asked city resident Will Champlin.

Mike Holtz, city manager, said the city has had good luck in the past with DCNR grants and is “fairly confident” the city’s application will be successful. But, he said, it’s very early in the funding process to have a definite plan on how to proceed if the DCNR grant isn’t approved.

City officials won’t find out until the fall if the DCNR grant is approved, which is why park work is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026.

“We’ll have to contemplate a fall-back plan,” Holtz said. One of the things about the DCNR grant process is the city has had 15 years of this as one of the most successful ones we’ve applied for, so we’re fairly confident we will receive some grant monies and the project will happen. In the event we don’t get funded, we’ll have to go back to the drawing board. We haven’t even thought of that yet.”

Improvements to Mulberry Park include bringing the park into compliance with current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements that include new playground equipment, a new pavilion, benches, sidewalk, grill, lighting, landscape trees and an ADA-compliant parking area. The project will also include installation of drainage pipes and erosion and sediment control in the park to improve drainage issues that limit the park’s use. Councilman Jared Villella asked about security lighting, with Holtz replying that there are plans for motion activated security lights for the playground area similar to other recent park improvement projects the city has undertaken.

About 200 responses were received to a survey that sought to get a sense for how often Mulberry Park is used and what people would like to see if a project is funded. Data from those surveys shows that two-thirds of responders had a child living with them or grandchildren that use the park. Preferences for potential upgrades include holding the summer playground program there, a splash pad, fitness trail and pavilion.

“There are a couple of great news stories that are embedded in the blue sheet here,” Wortman said. “We’ve been talking a little bit about the overwhelming responses that we’ve gotten at the city level in terms of the survey process and the feedback of the public in terms of interest for Mulberry Park and ideas ideas on what we would like as a community to put in place there as part of that rehabilitation project in hooktown as part of this process. The idea that there’s a strong possibility there will be additional investments within this park is also incredibly encouraging. So with all that being said, as part of the DCNR program and process, I think those are two good outcomes that we’ve achieved so far and then again the track record the city has relative to the DCNR programs in total is something else that’s pretty strong.”

In other public works discussions, Councilwoman Danielle Flasher asked about a crosswalk near the Jefferson DeFrees Center after she was asked about the issue by a constituent.

“Is there a regulation or is there a process for that?” she asked. “For context, I was approached by a parent who goes to Jefferson Defrees and they were asking about the potential of a crosswalk being put (in).”

Holtz said the area has been discussed in the past and would likely not qualify for a crosswalk because of state sight distance and sign requirements. Holtz said the city was directed to take out a crosswalk near Blair because it didn’t meet the state’s requirements.

“Can we try?” Flasher asked.

“I see kids walking across that street. IT looks like it’s a crosswalk and they use it as a crosswalk. The teachers use it as a crosswalk and it always freaks me out a little bit,” said Councilwoman Wendy McCain.

Holtz said the city has been called by two citizens, a parent, a Jefferson Defrees center official and a board member.

“I can’t promise anybody anything yet,” Holtz said. “But we’re looking into it.”