Perhaps one of the greatest joys of summer for any child includes a day spent frolicking at a neighborhood playground or park. Take a ride — or better yet spend the day — at any of Baldwin County’s parks or ball fields, and it becomes evident that local recreational facilities are put to good use.

With another of the rites of summer, the July 4th holiday, fast approaching, parks everywhere will be filled with picnics, baseball and softball, friendly gatherings and family reunions all signifying the season. The timing of this week’s announcement that the Baldwin County Parks and Recreation Authority is one step closer to adding to the quality of local facilities could have perhaps come at no better moment in the year.

Local officials were notified earlier this week that Baldwin County has been selected among 15 Georgia counties for the next round of state grant funding allotments for parks and recreation facilities. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources awards the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to local communities for existing park improvements and renovations.

Moving on to the next funding phase was no small accomplishment. Fifty-seven Georgia counties and municipalities submitted applications to the DNR and were pared down to the final 15 during a state DNR meeting held last month in Atlanta.

The final 15 were chosen based on criteria in four categories: Acquisition, development, rehabilitation and disadvantaged communities, or communities that would normally not compete as well against the regular pool of applicants.

If approved, the county will receive a $45,000 matching grant that will be used to laser level ball fields at Walter B. Williams Park and to replace playground equipment at other local facilities. The final paperwork will be submitted later this week. Notification of the awards is expected sometime in the fall.

Acquiring the grant funds would not only add to the beautification of local facilities, but improve safety as well. The installation of new playground equipment in needed areas will certainly be a benefit, replacing older pieces that may or may not be showing their wear and tear. The best way to promote local parks and recreation facilities and ensure they are heavily utilized is to keep them in good condition. Receiving a $45,000 matching grant is yet another step in that direction.

Without a doubt, a lot of hard work by local recreation officials went into the application process and submitting the grant proposal, and their efforts are certainly commendable. Our local parks and those among us who utilize them most — our children — deserve our support as well, particularly this time of year when facilities are most heavily used.

Local residents should be encouraged to step up to the plate, head out to a local ball field and root for a favorite team this summer. Doing so is most importantly a show of support for our local recreation authority and its programs, which provide so many area children with a safe, clean environment where they can play and enjoy the a portion of their youth.