Building a Healthier Lorain County: $50,000 Grants Awarded for Community Improvement Projects

Lorain County Public Health recently announced that it has awarded $50,000 in funding to seven local projects focused on improving the built environment of the community. The initiatives are aimed at creating positive changes in the landscape and have demonstrated strong community partnerships and connections to the Community Health Improvement Plan.

The projects that received grants include adding fitness equipment to the walking path at Oakwood Park by the City of Lorain Parks and Recreation, replacing and improving the playground space at Lakeview Park for children under the age of 5 with inclusive equipment by Lorain County Children and Families First Council, installing benches and trash cans along its walking trail to provide resting places and encourage a clean environment by Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital.

Other funded projects include installing bike racks throughout Oberlin by the Oberlin Heritage Center, updating Safety Town equipment at Oberlin Elementary School by Oberlin City Schools, expanding the Legion Field Community Garden in Oberlin by Our F.A.M.I.L.Y, and installing a hydration station at Union School Park in Wellington by THRIVE! Southern Lorain County.

Lorain County Public Health’s Commissioner Mark Adams mentioned that they received over 22 applications requesting more than $180,000 in funding for community grants. The agency is thrilled to be able to offer these opportunities for community members, with grant winners working on their projects from summer through fall of 2024 to complete them. Since 2015, Lorain County Public Health has awarded a total of 57 Healthy Places Grants totaling over $790,000 in investment in Lorain County’s built environment.