The dream of a recreational vehicle park for the Chief Ladiga Trail is finally coming true after the approval of a $99,000 federal grant came through on Monday.Mayor Charlie Fagan announced the grant’s approval at Monday night’s council meeting. Fagan received a letter from Gov. Bob Riley informing him of its approval that day.
“This is something we’ve been waiting on for awhile now, and we are so excited to see it finally come,” Fagan said.
The grant includes $49,500 from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund and a $49,500 match from the city of Piedmont. City Clerk Bill Fann said the city’s match will be met through in-kind services for the park’s construction.
Fann said the city already has plans for the park, and expects to begin work after the city receives the funds. The funds are expected to be available sometime after the first of the year, he said.
Fagan said the RV park and campground will provide a much-needed space for tourists visiting the Chief Ladiga Trail and for other outdoor recreation enthusiasts who choose Piedmont as their travel destination.
“We already have a number of boy scout troops and other campers that stay out there in that area,” Fagan said. “But this will open up Piedmont to a whole new type of people who enjoy camping, and hopefully it’ll bring more business to the city.”
