St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Approves $2.18M for Diamond of Dreams
An all-inclusive park for children with intellectual and physical disabilities
At their Dec. 3, 2024, Regular Meeting, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously approved two motions that authorized the use of $2,187,252 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and a funding assistance agreement for the St. Johns County Police Athletic League Diamond of Dreams project. It is an all-inclusive specially designed baseball/multipurpose field and playground for children of all abilities planned for southwest St. Johns County. A presentation on the funding and the project was made before the approval by the BOCC.
The Diamond of Dreams project plans include a carpeted, wheelchair-accessible baseball field, dugouts, a press box, family seating, ADA-complaint asphalt parking spaces and restroom facilities, and a wheelchair-accessible playground.
On May 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of the Treasury launched the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). St. Johns County was allocated $51,409,434. One part of the ARPA objective was to provide emergency funding for eligible local governments, to support the immediate pandemic response, bring back jobs, and lay the groundwork for a strong and equitable recovery. Up to $10M of ARPA funding can be appropriated to capital projects under a “lost revenue” category. St. Johns County must commit/encumber ARPA funding by December 31, 2024.
Previous ARPA-funded projects have included the Hastings Vocational School, water/sewer infrastructure, and the West Augustine Medical Facility.