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By: Brendan McDonough

Reporter for North Tonawanda

Big changes could be coming to Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda. City officials are trying to get more than $250,000 in grant funding to make improvements which would be available for the 2020 calendar year. 

The conversations took place inside City Council Chambers where Park Department Director Alex Domaradzki, along with Community Development Director Mike Zimmerman, said they are trying to get grant funding from the Niagara Greenway Commission. The money would be used to add pavilions and high-end portable trailer bathrooms to the park. Currently Gratwick Park does not have any bathrooms.

“The issue with Gratwick Park is that it is a brownfield site,” said Domaradzki. “It makes plumbing difficult to do and it is very expensive.”

Gratwick Park is a popular summer destination spot and is host to the annual Thunder on the Niagara boat races, which draws thousands of visitors, as well as the Thursday on the Water concert series which are promoted by 7th District Legislator Jesse Gooch. 

According to many at the workshop, adding bathrooms are long overdue.

“We just feel that with all the goings on, with soccer, concerts, rivers edge and to have a permanent bathroom facility, I think we should go after any grant money out there because it may not be out there again,” said Eric Zadzilka, Common Council President.

However, getting that grant funding can be a lengthy process.

“It will require submission to the Niagara County legislature,” said Zimmerman, “and should be before the full body sometime in June. Then submission to the Greenway Commission which will happen in September and then another presentation to the host committee which will happen in November.”

More discussion about possible changes to the park will happen again at the next Common Council workshop.