By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved this year’s Recreation Incentive Fund allocations during its May 26 meeting, supporting a series of park, playground and trail improvement projects across the county. Director of Parks and Recreation Victor Morales presented the recommendations, which were vetted by the county’s Parks and Recreation Commission.
Established in 1998, the Recreation Incentive Fund provides matching grants to community organizations for recreation-related capital improvements throughout Botetourt County. Morales told supervisors the program has awarded approximately $826,000 since its inception, helping leverage more than $3.1 million in local recreation projects.
“This Recreation Incentive Fund grant program kind of has a 3.8 times multiplier in the effect that it has in the community,” Morales said during the meeting.
This year’s approved projects total $99,044.28 in overall project costs, with $49,522.41 recommended for reimbursement through the fund. Morales noted that $69,135.52 is currently available in the Recreation Incentive Fund budget.
The approved projects include:
- Replacement of damaged playground borders at Troutville Town Park
- Gaga ball pits at Eagle Rock Elementary and Greenfield Elementary
- Playground and activity area enhancements at Colonial Elementary
- Trailhead amenities along the Craig-Botetourt Scenic Trail
- Adaptive playground equipment at Breckinridge Elementary
- Playground upgrades at Cloverdale Elementary
- Repairs to the historic gazebo at Big Spring Park in Fincastle
The Parks and Recreation Department described the projects as community-focused improvements intended to increase public access to recreation opportunities across the county.
During discussion, Amsterdam District Supervisor Tim Snyder asked whether the program still capped grant requests at $10,000 after noticing one project exceeded that amount. Morales explained the board revised the program last year, increasing the maximum grant request to $15,000 while maintaining the 50 percent reimbursement limit.
Chairman Mac Scothorn also asked Morales to explain the “gaga ball pit” projects included in two elementary school requests. Morales described the game as a dodgeball-style activity played inside an enclosed pit that has become popular at camps and schools.
Buchanan District Supervisor Linda Rottman raised several questions during the discussion, including unrelated concerns about needed repairs to the tennis and pickleball courts at Buchanan Elementary School. Rottman asked county counsel whether the county could pursue a creditor’s claim against a deceased contractor who previously performed warranty work on the courts. County Attorney Mike Lockaby said the matter would depend on whether assets existed in the contractor’s estate.
Rottman later questioned maintenance and ownership responsibilities connected to the Craig-Botetourt Scenic Trail amenities project. Morales explained the trail property is owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and that discussions are ongoing regarding long-term maintenance agreements.
When the board voted, supervisors approved the funding package 5-0 overall, although Rottman cast a dissenting vote specifically on the Pathfinders for Greenways trailhead project, saying she believed the work should be funded by the state rather than county dollars. All other projects received unanimous support.
Morales said approved projects will move forward during the upcoming fiscal year, with reimbursements issued after work is completed and inspected by the county Parks and Recreation Department.
