The Macon County Board of Commissioners has allocated an additional $50,000 to the new playground at the Highlands Rec Center. The county had already committed $350,000 to the project.
Town of Highlands Commissioner Brian Stiehler attended the July 8 Macon County commissioners meeting to request the extra funding.
Stiehler said they had raised $1,347,711 for the playground, which is estimated to cost a little over $1.5 million. The Town of Highlands has contributed $250,000 and Stiehler said he had raised $750,711 from the community. They applied for two park grants to help cover the cost, but did not receive them.
“We’re about $150,000 short, and I’m going to go to the Town of Highlands and ask for $50,000,” Stiehler told the commissioners.
Stiehler said he raised had a commitment of another $25,000 from citizens in Highlands and felt like he could get the additional $30,000 needed.
Grading on the site will begin once they have the funds in hand, which he hoped would be this fall with the playground opening in the spring 2026.
Commissioner John Shearl made the motion to approve the additional $50,000, which would come from the county’s fund balance. “You guys have done a tremendous job with the community raising money,” he said. “The project is very worthy for the community and the county as a whole because we have many, many, many residents that live outside the city limits.”
The fundraising effort began in 2022 when a donor gave $50,000 to start a campaign for a new playground. For information or to donate, visit highlandsplay.net or call Stiehler at 828-787-2778. Donations can also be dropped off at Town Hall.
