SMETHPORT –– Smethport Borough Council agreed Monday to seek bids for two projects proposed for Hamlin Lake Park.

Councilman Ryan Yingling, chairman of the parks committee, reported that a state grant has been approved for building a kayak launch near the existing boat launch on the north side of Hamlin Lake, but it must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bids must be secured for this project since it isn’t eligible for funding through COSTARS, the state’s cooperative purchasing program.

Bids will be received by council’s August meeting. At that time, council will decide how to proceed with the project.

At council’s June meeting, officials reported that if the grant for the kayak launch was approved, construction would begin as soon as possible.

Yingling said, “For the past four years, we’ve been working on the park’s infrastructure, and this is the first project solely for recreation.”

Meanwhile, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources elected not to fund a grant request for correcting problems, such as safety, drainage and infield reclamation at the George Murray Field, because the project would not benefit people under the ADA. The site is used by baseball teams from the Smethport Area High School, as well as community teams from the Senior League and American Legion.

The bids do not commit the borough to any action, officials said; they are primarily to determine if there are any companies that are proficient in baseball field restorations and comparable in costs.

One proposal presented to council would be to proceed with the project and have the teams pay back to the borough that amount, which is not covered by the grant, namely about $21,000.