MONROE -- Monroe may get its own signature park to distinguish itself soon.

City Council approved a resolution to apply for a $500,000 matching grant to fund the first phase of a park on Skyway Drive.

“I think this is an excellent piece of property as you come in Monroe,” said Mike Courtney, parks and recreation director. “We don’t want it to be a normal cookie-cutter park. The shelters will be designed instead of picked out of a catalogue.”

The Parks and Recreation Trust Fund requires that the phase assigned to the grant money is completed within three years. The proposed park, which totals 11 acres, could include picnic shelters, a volleyball court, a fountain, a sprayground and an open field.

Jon Wood of Charlotte-based Haden Stanziale said the layout attached to the application isn’t fixed.

“We can make changes and adjust it as long as we have the required elements,” he said.

Courtney said the entire park couldn’t be built with just the $1 million.

“It’s probably closer to the $2.5 to 3 million range. But we can phase it,” he said.

Estimates were based on current projects and their expenditures.

“Right now, it’s a very good bidding environment,” Courtney said. “We look at the numbers and try to plan what those numbers might be two to three years out.”

The application is due Feb. 1.

The Council also went into closed session to discuss the dispute between Piedmont Natural Gas and the City of Monroe. No action was taken, however.