Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed was all smiles this week when he learned Gov. Bob Riley had announced the city of Jemison had been awarded a $30,000 grant for its park system.

“This is great news,” he said, adding, “The funds will help us make additions to our park that will benefit everyone.”

The grant, part of $423,000 worth of recreational grants announced this week by the governor for 10 Alabama communities, will be matched by the city of Jemison.

“It is a matching grant,” Reed said, “and the $30,000 coming from the state will allow us to do much more than we anticipated.”

He explained the city will use the funds to purchase new park equipment and, officials hope, improve the city’s four tennis courts.

The grant calls for the city to use the funds to create a “multi-functional” playground of children of all ages.

The grants were awarded from funds allocated to Alabama as part of the Land and Water Conservation program created by Congress in 1967 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. The grants are administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.