Easter Seals joins groups requesting state grant money. (Courtesy Easter Seals Facebook)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – Several groups have submitted proposals for the $750,000 state grant that was put on hold after the Bloomington City Council shot down a proposed land acquisition near McGraw Park.

One group is Easter Seals Disability Services, and they're asking for $200,000 for renovations at the organization’s Timber Point Outdoor Center.

Timber Point provides specialized residential camping and programming for people with disabilities or special needs and their families.

Easter Seals Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiative Jim Runyon said the grant would help several parts of the facility.

“All of them are needs that we’ve had for a number of years,” Runyon said. “Funding for capital needs like this doesn’t come everyday.”

Projects included in the proposal:

1) $100,000 Seawall construction Timber Pointe Outdoor Center to reduce shoreline erosion and siltation of Lake Bloomington.

2) $30,000 Roof replacement for three TPOC buildings: Main office building,
Sterns Lodge and Lincoln cabin.

3) $20,000 Lighting for accessible trails.

4) $35,000 Additional paved parking at the Lodge.

5) $15,000 Program Pavilion construction.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].