The Clermont Arts & Recreation Center has been selected as one of two winning projects in the 2021 Niagara Perk Your Park Contest from Niagara Bottling in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

“We did it. Thank you to everyone who helped and voted,” says a press release posted on the City of Clermont’s website.

The Perk Your Park Contest is an initiative that focuses on park and community space revitalization across the country. Project plans were submitted to Niagara and from there, the general public was invited to vote for their favorite entry.

Improvements to Clermont’s Arts & Recreation Center will include a community garden, nature playspace, covered seating area as well as other ways the Clermont community can connect with the outdoors.

Clermont’s entry explains: “We’ll plant the seed of an inclusive community garden, complete with veggie patches, walking paths, rainwater irrigation systems, pollinator garden, covered seating areas, picnic tables and composting.”

As one of the winning park projects, the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center will receive a renovation worth $90,000.

“We’re thrilled to support the development of a community garden in Clermont,” says Kristen Venick, Director of Niagara Cares. “It was exciting to see the community come together to vote for this project and we look forward to the enhancement of Clermont Arts & Recreation Center.”

“Park and recreation professionals work tirelessly to provide their communities with essential infrastructure that improves the health and well-being of their communities,” says Kellie May, NRPA Vice President of Programs and Partnerships. “This renovation grant will invest in critical infrastructure for this community.”

The winner of Niagara’s second $90k award is Fisher Park’s Nature Play and Trails in New Braunfels, Texas, whose plans include enhancing its Blackland Priairie with walking trails to add nature-related educational and play opportunities for families.

You can find more information about the renovation and the Niagara Perk Your Park contest at www.NiagaraPerkYourPark.com.