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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The CAWACO Resource Conservation & Development Council met with dignitaries at the 2024 Strawberry Festival in Thorsby to present a check for a $10,000 grant that will go towards funding improvements to city’s Richard Wood Park.

CAWACO RC&D representatives met with 42nd District Representative Van Smith and Thorsby Mayor Robert Hight at the festival to present the check that will be used to update and improve the park’s restrooms with new paint and fixtures. The funds are appropriated to CAWACO RC&D by the state legislators, including the Chilton county legislative delegation, “to help empower local organizations and strengthen local communities,” a press release from CAWACO RC&D said.

“These funds from CAWACO help put dollars back into the economy,” Smith said in the press release. “When we appropriate money to RC&D we know it will benefit communities like Thorsby by providing much needed funding for projects like these upgrades to Richard Wood Park. The improvements to the park will not only help with the Strawberry Festival, but with all other future events at the park.”

Alabama Senator April Weaver also offered her thanks to CAWACO for their partnership with the Thorsby community.

“I love to see the money we appropriate to CAWACO RC&D going to worthwhile projects like the upgrades to Richard Wood Park,” Weaver said in the press release. “Projects like this take teamwork, and I am grateful for CAWACO and Thorsby working together to improve the quality of the park.”

Hight said he and the Thorsby community are thankful for the support from CAWACO, Smith and Weaver to bring in funds for much needed projects at the park. The $10,000 grant from CAWACO will also be used for improvements to the park’s stage and upgrading the electrical system to provide more power options for events.

“The City of Thorsby is grateful to CAWACO, Rep. Smith and Sen. Weaver for the generous grant they secured for improvements to our city park, and we are grateful for their kindness, generosity and their appreciation for our small-town values.” said Hight in the press release.

CAWACO RC&D is one of nine RC&D councils across the state, and the one covering Chilton County also covers Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties. Its mission is “to improve the quality of life of residents by the reasonable and responsible protection of the natural and human resources of Central Alabama.”