Residents who frequent a Nesquehoning area park will soon see some much needed improvements.

Borough officials recently announced that they received word that they were successful in securing a $75,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant for phase 1 of the New Columbus Park upgrade. Council has been discussing the need to make improvements at the park and have taken a few steps, including adding electric access and working to make the ground safer for visitors.

Phase 1 of the project includes paving pathways to help disabled people navigate through the park, reducing the size of the basketball court to make it regulation size and then resurfacing it and redoing funding.

Future plans also include creating an area for other recreational purposes like a pickleball court.

“We got some nice work coming up on the New Columbus Park,” Council President Bruce Nalesnik said.

He added that there is a match for the grant, however, if the borough contributes work to the project, that work cost can be deducted from the match required.

Council has authorized ARRO Consulting to proceed with getting the process starting and an architectural drawing will be posted in the borough hall for residents’ review.