Outdoor Recreation Is Getting a Big Boost In The City of Oneonta

If you ever spend time in Oneonta's Neahwa Park then you'll be happy to find out that improvements to the park are underway thanks to federal ARPA funding. This money was a result of President Joe Biden signing the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) back in March and is stimulus money for communities to use. Oneonta ended up with $1.4M from that federal funding package.

The City of Oneonta came up with a plan to use the 2021 ARPA funding which includes new opportunities for outdoor activities in Oneonta.

In a statement from Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig, he says, “Our ARPA Plan will provide a significant investment in our public parks supporting healthy lifestyles and opportunities for all of our families and children to enjoy the outdoors more often.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more people have been enjoying the outdoors more than ever before, especially when so many businesses were closed down during the worst part of the pandemic.

Mayor Herzig and City Administrator Mattice crafted the ARPA Plan which was approved by Oneonta's Common Council and here are the planned projects:

-Paved millrace Neahwa Park trail to provide access to all (walkers, wheelchairs, runners)
-Neahwa Park permanent performance stage/amphitheater
-New Neahwa Park basketball court
-Rehabilitation of the Neahwa Park skate park
-Playground improvements
-Neahwa Park Electric Infrastructure Improvements (project currently underway)
-Installation of Public Art
-Wilber Lake Trail Bridge replacement

Outdoor recreation isn't the only thing getting a boost from the federal funding. Upgrades in Oneonta's infrastructure will also be able to take place including making sure the City’s water remains clean and healthy for all city residents.

If you have questions about any of the projects, you can reach out to Mayor
Gary Herzig at gherzig@oneonta.ny.us or call 607-432-6450.

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