NORWICH – Chenango County leaders gave the tentative go ahead to the City of Norwich to apply for a grant that would, if awarded, complete the design phase of an estimated $1 million parks project.

The county legislature would be the lead agency on the grant. A resolution to the full Board of Supervisors follows next month.

East and West Parks in downtown Norwich are overdue for refurbishing, according to members of a volunteer organization formed in 2005 called “Friends of the Parks.” Plans include an all-purpose, permanent performance stage, updated electrical services, reconfiguration of sidewalks and moving the gazebo in East Park toward Broad Street for better visibility.

Norwich Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer told members of the Planning & Economic Development Committee last Tuesday that the group wishes to apply for a $100,000 Lt. Governor’s Office Quality Communities grant. If awarded, the grant carries a 10 percent local share responsibility. The Friends organization, with support from the Norwich Business Improvement District, has already secured a letter of commitment from NBT Bank of Norwich for $10,000.