MONROE — Monroe Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Southwest Wisconsin, recently poured nearly a quarter mile of blacktop walkway at Twining Park.

“One of our goals is to make our parks as accessible as possible,” Parks and Forestry Supervisor Josh Trame said. “We were fortunate enough to work with Amber Russell and the Aging and Disability Resource Center to accomplish this goal.”

The Center had money to spend through the Rural Health Grant and chose to donate it to the Parks and Rec Department. Thanks to their donation, a quarter-mile blacktop walkway was poured at Twining Park, connecting the west diamond, tennis and pickleball courts, playground, splash pad and fitness center to one another. Previously, these facilities were separated by open grass.

The project totaled $70,000 with all the funds coming from the ADRC — no taxpayer money was used. The most recent installment was phase two of Trame’s plan to make Twining more accessible. The first — more blacktop walkways connecting the east diamond and bathrooms — was implemented in 2019.

While the bandshell has received seating and lighting upgrades, Trame plans to make the bandshell more accessible in phase three. There is no timeline set for this phase, as it is dependent on additional grants or private donors.