STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Plans for a new inclusive playground at Jim Woods Park are moving forward as Steubenville officials explore a federal grant opportunity that could cover a significant portion of the project’s cost.
City Council continued discussions Tuesday after officials met with OMEGA on Monday about applying for the AMLER Grant. City leaders believe Jim Woods Park meets many of the program’s requirements and could be a strong candidate for funding.
City Manager Michael Johnson said that if Steubenville’s application is successful, the grant could potentially pay for substantially all of the planned playground.
Several details must still be finalized before the city submits its application, including exactly where the playground would be constructed within Jim Woods Park.
City Engineer Michael Dolak encouraged officials to develop a concept plan to determine whether the proposed area has enough space for the playground and necessary accessibility features. Discussions have included ADA-accessible restrooms and ensuring the overall design can accommodate visitors of varying abilities.
Following discussion, council approved a motion identifying the back corner of Jim Woods Park as the proposed location for the project. Officials said one of the park’s existing shelters could potentially be removed if additional room is necessary.
Parks and Recreation Director Donald Patterson is expected to work with playground companies to obtain potential designs tailored to the available space.
The proposed playground is intended to provide an accessible recreational space where children with different physical abilities and needs can play together.
Steubenville faces a Sept. 25 deadline to apply for the federal funding.
If the city’s application is successful, the grant is expected to be awarded in December. An environmental review would then take place in early 2027 before the project could advance further.
