Champion Great Neighborhoods FY23 Q3 | Page 3

EIGHT ARLINGTON PARKS TO RECEIVE NEW PLAYGROUNDS IN 2023 ✅
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DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON AWARDED $ 75,000 COMMUNITY PLACEMAKING GRANT

The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation was recently named the recipient of a $ 75,000 Project for Public Spaces ’ Community Placemaking Grant , awarded by the Project for Public Places and General Motors .
The grant will be used to support improvements near Arlington ’ s historic railroad corridor , located between East Street and West Street . Groundbreaking for the area is scheduled late fall 2023 after community engagement workshops are organized by the prestigious Project for Public Spaces , which provides direct funding , technical assistance , and capacity building for non-profits and government agencies .

EIGHT ARLINGTON PARKS TO RECEIVE NEW PLAYGROUNDS IN 2023 ✅

Arlington Parks and Recreation announced that eight parks will receive new playground structures in 2023 , including Don Misenhimer , Clarence Thompson , College Hills , Bowman Springs , Gene Schrickel , Jr ., Howard Moore , Dixon W . Holman , and Mary and Jimmie Hooper .
Arlington ’ s History
Like many towns in the late 1800s , Arlington was built alongside a railroad , serving as its hub for transportation and commerce . While the Union Pacific Railway still maintains an active daily route through the city ’ s center , only remnants of where the station platform once welcomed people remain .
Active green space and pedestrian living are vital for the future of Downtown Arlington , as the UT-Arlington student population has doubled in the last 15 years , and seen the development of several high profile buildings and businesses including the Arlington Downtown Library , Urban Union , 101 Center , Park Place , with more in the works to bring visitors to Downtown .
With support from the Mayor and City Council , $ 1.75 million was approved Sept . 6 , 2022 , and included in the FY 2023 budget . New playgrounds were identified for replacement based on original installation dates and each will have its own unique features .
Neighborhood residents can use the Park Finder on the City ’ s website to identify alternate playground locations during the renovations .
“ The new green spaces areas along the railway will once again bind our past and future together , while helping ensure better connectivity and ease of access for all ,” said Maggie Campbell , President and CEO for Downtown Arlington .