Gov. Andy Beshear announced more than $1.3 million in state funding Tuesday for projects across Kentucky aimed at reducing waste tire pollution while improving parks, playgrounds and public recreation spaces — including several projects in the Pennyrile region.
The funding, distributed through Kentucky’s Waste Tire Trust Fund, will support 36 projects in 30 counties by converting recycled scrap tires into durable playground surfaces, benches, picnic tables and landscaping materials. State officials say the effort helps keep millions of discarded tires out of landfills, waterways and roadsides each year.
Several Pennyrile-area counties received funding through the program:
+ Caldwell County and the City of Princeton received $46,950 for a poured-in-place playground surface at the City-County Park.
+ Lyon County Fiscal Court was awarded $16,401 for 18 picnic tables at Lee S. Jones Park.
+ Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court received $63,450 for a poured-in-place playground at Clay Jones Memorial Park.
+ Trigg County Fiscal Court was awarded $3,356 for four park benches at the Trigg County Convention Center and Recreation Complex.
In total, Pennyrile counties received more than $125,000 through the program.
Beshear said the projects help turn a waste problem into a community asset by creating safer and more accessible recreational spaces for Kentucky families. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary John Lyons added that the grants reduce pollution and encourage communities to participate in recycling initiatives.
The Waste Tire Trust Fund was established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1998 and is funded through fees collected from new tire sales statewide.
