Schuylkill County's public park, Sweet Arrow Lake, will use $500,000 in grants and gifts to pay for upgrades.

The improvements include a parking lot, comfort station, pavilion, pedestrian walkway, play equipment with required safety surfacing, handicapped access and landscaping.The money comes from a $250,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, a $100,000 gift from Friends of Schuylkill Parks and recreation; and $150,000 in matching funds from the county.On Wednesday, commissioners approved county Finance Director Paul E. Buber's supplemental budget appropriation resolution that reflects a total of $350,000 for the park.Commissioners expect to approve the additional $150,000 match when they meet Wednesday.The county in 2001 bought the 183.47-acre site for the park from Pine Grove. About 60 acres is lakes, ponds and streams.The park spans Pine Grove and Washington townships.In other matters Wednesday, commissioners approved $60,000 from Schuylkill County Affordable Housing Trust funds to help pay for the development of a $1.6 million six-unit, affordable rental housing project at 106-118 W. Main St., Girardville.The project will include two handicapped accessible apartments.Other funding is through the state Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as program income committed by Schuylkill Community Action.In other matters, commissioners approved a contract agreement with Jillian Fellows to perform the duties of a law clerk as assigned by President Judge William E. Baldwin.She'll be paid $50 an hour.The contract runs from April 19 through Aug. 7, when Fellows graduates from law school and passes the bar exam. At that point, she'll be hired full-time. Fellows replaces the former law clerk, who resigned last month.The commissioners' next public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday.