Horatio, Arkansas, whose school mascot is a lion, received news to roar about. The town, located near the Little River in Sevier County, Arkansas, received a grant to create a safe space for children.

The AEP Foundation, at the recommendation of SWEPCO, is donating $2,500 for program support of a city pocket park and kid safe space in the City of Horatio, AR. The pocket park will serve as a community meeting place for the town of nearly 1,000 families and their children.

“We are honored to be able to play a role in extending safe spaces available to the community," said Brett Mattison, SWEPCO President and COO. "SWEPCO, along with the AEP Foundation, continues to strive to add value to the communities it serves.”

The pocket park will feature a play area to support gross and fine motor skill development and a farmer’s market to benefit local gardeners looking for an outlet to sell their fruits, vegetables, eggs, homemade breads and other items to local residents. This project partners with the Horatio Library and Horatio Hometown Happenings.

“This area will give the residents of and visitors to Horatio a welcoming environment for both kids and adults,” said Jennifer Harland, SWEPCO External Affairs Manager.  

SWEPCO and the AEP Foundation improves lives through its giving strategies that include tackling education and our community’s most basic needs: food and housing.