If you’ve traveled up and down Central Avenue in Clarion in the last several months, you’ve noticed the empty space on the 100 block south of the Courthouse. It looks a bit like a missing tooth.
The conspicuous space will soon be filled with a fun little addition to the downtown landscape: a pocket park.
The space in question at 110 Central Avenue East formerly was occupied by the Duran Building and was used as office space in the past. In recent years, Clarion City Administrator Clint Middleton noted that the building fell into disrepair and was unable to be improved. The city eventually acquired it and their only choice was to demolish it. Since then, ideas on how to use and improve the space have been bubbling.
Middleton said a while back the city had been approached by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) about applying for their Community Challenge grant that seeks to fund “quick-action projects.” The goal of such projects, according to AARP’s website, is to “help urban, rural and suburban communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages.”
Projects that receive these grant monies can achieve a variety of outcomes, including to “create vibrant Public Places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other community amenities.” This is what Clarion officials had in mind when they eventually applied for the grant. In the last month, it became official. Clarion received $15,000 in grant funds and was one of 244 projects funded.
Middleton said the former Duran building space will make a good location for a small pocket park that can draw upon the grant money. “We can’t build a new structure in that location and it’s too small for parking, so a pedestrian park was a great option,” he noted. The city will also provide around $14,500 in matching funds for the project.
Plans for the park have already been completed. The small space will be filled with benches, picnic tables, trees and bushes. There is also a planned canopy in the middle of the park. Middleton said it will be a perfect spot for people to take their lunch, sit and relax or have an outdoor meeting when the weather is nice.
Mayor Duane Asbe is also excited by the idea of using the downtown space for a park. “I think it will really enhance the spot,” he said. “It will provide a fun sitting area and be an attractive focal point for us. The park will help bring a little life back into that block.”
Middleton added that because there are tight timeline requirements for using the grant funds, look for construction to start on the park soon. A ribbon cutting will hopefully be held by the end of the year with some events at the park to be scheduled as well.
