( KNZA )-An improvement project is planned at a Hiawatha park.

The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening gave Public Works Director Dave Grimm approval to seek a more than 62-hundred grant through the Ruth and Roger Wolfe Charitable Trust for the installation of a  50 by 84 foot cement basketball court at the Crestview Park, located at 4th and Cheyenne.

Grimm said the city had been asked by a local resident to install a basketball court at the park.  He said the individual is willing to raise funds and/or donate to the project in order to install a chain link fence around the court.  In addition, Grimm said another local resident is willing to donate 25-hundred dollars toward the project. 

Grimm said the city would provide 78-hundred dollars in the form of in-kind services and funding for the project.

He said if the city of Hiawatha is selected for grant, the project would be done next year and should not take more than 30 working days to complete, weather permitting.

 In other business, the commission accepted the low bid submitted by Gundenkauf Tree Service in the amount of 15-hundred dollars for the removal of six large locust trees at the Hiawatha City Lake and a large ash tree at the water tower located in the 600 block of Iowa Street.

It was among five bids received.

On the recommendation of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the commission approved a variance request for property located at 103 Kickapoo Street.  Mark Milroy Sr. requested a  variance from setback requirements to allow a shed or lean-to on the east side of his existing garage.