Butler County awarded more than $73,000 in grant money for 10 municipal park projects totaling $97,400.

The county commissioners Wednesday approved the distribution of the funding under the county Park and Renovation Department program, saying it’s money was well spent.

“It’s a good service back to the community,” said Commissioner Leslie Osche, board chairman.

Commissioner Kevin Boozel agreed.

“Pretty well distributed in the county,” Boozel said. “I appreciate that.”

Gary Pinkerton, county park and recreation director, said in an interview the program enables municipalities to pursue state matching grants requiring a percentage of the total cost.

He said some municipalities would never be able to complete park projects without the program

The following eight projects receive $7,500 each:

A $50,000 project entailing the purchase and installation of a prefabricated concrete restroom in Chicora Community Park

A $10,000 project improving the trail in Connoquenessing Park

A $10,000 project replacing playground equipment at Fireman’s Park in East Butler

A $10,000 project replacing tennis court fencing in the Eau Claire Community Park

A $10,000 project renovating the basketball court at EDCO Park in Evans City

A $10,000 project of safety surfacing the two playgrounds at the Fairview Township Community Park

A $10,000 project renovating the softball field at the Slippery Rock Community Park

A $10,000 project replacing the safety surface in the Winfield Township Community Park.

There also is a $7,200 grant for a $9,600 project at Roebling Park in Saxonburg.

Work includes painting the John Roebling Wire Rope Shop and public restrooms, making sidewalks handicap-accessible and enhancing access to entryways to the restrooms.

The final grant is $5,850 for a $7,800 project renovating the water well, installing a basketball backboard and safety surface material, and removing four trees at the Laura J. Doerr Memorial Park in Jefferson Township

The county park renovation program, which is in its 22nd year, has awarded more than $1 million to 42 municipalities.