Alexander Park in McDonough may be well on its way to getting a facelift, pending federal funds.

McDonough Community Development Director John Cheek said the funding, from the Department of Natural Resources, is designated to improve recreational lands.

The city has been notified that it has received funding, but just how much money the city will receive is currently unknown. City officials have asked for $50,000 to be matched 50 percent with city SPLOST funds for an overall $100,000 to be put into the park.

This particular grant is only $1 million to be divided by other recipients.

The city is currently using Atlanta Regional Commission funds to create comprehensive bike and pedestrian paths in the downtown area, and Cheek said city officials want to use these federal funds to extend the pathways to Alexander Park.

He said the funds will also be used to freshen up the entrances to the park.

“Right now the frontage doesn’t look that great,” Cheek said. “There’s a chain link fence and debris along the front of the site.”

The park, which is on Atlanta Street, acts as one of the main gateways to the city, which is why city officials are vying for improvements, he said.

The trail system that runs through the park is being eyed as another improvement, Cheek said, with the hopes to expand it for more connectivity to downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. Although those improvements are in more a long-range plan, he said.

If the money goes far enough, the hope is to shape up the open-air amphitheater, as well.