POTOSI—The City of Potosi recently received a $40,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Scrap Tire Program to purchase playground pour-in-place surface for its new universal playground at the Potosi City Park.

This grant program is funded through the 50 cent per tire scrap tire fee, collected by retailers, when a new tire is sold. This provides an opportunity for schools, nonprofit organizations and governmental organizations (other than state agencies) to improve parks, recreation areas, sports fields and playgrounds, while creating a market for products made of recycled material.

MDNR is currently accepting applications through June 14, 2024. For more information on how to apply, visit https://dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/what-were-doing/financial-assistance-opportunities/scrap-tire-surface-material-grant.

Additionally, the city received a grant from the Land Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for $252,590 to complete other aspects of the park such as a splash pad, playground equipment, ADA accessible restrooms, sidewalk and a new pavilion that will be constructed after Pavilion #1 is torn down.

The Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District (ORSWMD) provided a letter of support for the city’s application.

“Anytime the district can provide assistance in helping a city with a program that finds a new purpose for recyclable material, we will certainly help,” said Tammy Snodgrass, Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) Environmental Manager and Assistant Director.

MRPC provides the day-to-day operation assistance for ORSWMD.

The Ozark Rivers District includes Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities with populations of 500 or more. The district’s strategy for solid waste reduction, which has been individually adopted by all member governments and approved by Missouri Department of Natural Resources involves education and to reduce solid waste in member counties and cities. The solid waste district is tasked with reducing the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill by 40 percent. MRPC provides administration of the district and assists with a variety of implementation projects.

For more information about ORSWMD or waste reduction and recycling opportunities in the Ozark Rivers area, contact Tammy Snodgrass, MRPC environmental programs manager, at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.  Additional information can be found at www.ozarkrivers.org or http://www.facebook.com/ORSWMD.  

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chairman. A professional staff of 28 led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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