Warren City wins $500,000 state grant for Mulberry Playground; council pledges local match

Warren City Mayor David Wortman on Tuesday read a letter from Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announcing a $500,000 Community Conservation Partnership Program award for the Mulberry Playground restoration.

"On behalf of Governor Josh Shapiro, I'm writing to congratulate you on the grant award in the amount of $500,000," Wortman read aloud from the DCNR notice, thanking staff and community partners for the application work.

City staff said a formal contract will be presented to the council in a few months. A staff member described the city's planned match and schedule, saying the city has pledged $2,250,000 to be budgeted in 2027 and that roughly $250,000 more will come from community partners. Staff said design and bidding will begin ahead of construction next year.

According to staff, the grant will support a nearly complete rebuild of the park with off‑street parking, a pavilion, restrooms, a basketball court and a new playground; the project also includes drainage work and some subsurface repairs to vaults and sidewalks. The city said it will draw up plans and aim to bid the project in early 2027.

Council members asked whether community survey results had resolved design choices; staff said the grant application was written at a high level and that detailed elements will be developed during the design phase.

The council did not take a formal vote on the grant announcement itself during the meeting; staff said the contract and budget items related to the project will be brought to council for formal approval when ready.