The Trusts Community Foundation has granted $50,000 to the Naish & Centennial Park Redevelopment, bringing its total kitty to $300,000 and allowing project overseers to begin work on a junior bike park.
Naish Park Co-ordinating Group chairman Jared McPhee said almost three years of planning had taken place to reach this stage, and his committee was "pretty excited" to be a step closer to work beginning.
"Thanks to the grant we are pleased to now be able to get to work on stage one, the junior bike park.
"We expect to be able to start work within the next three months."
Although Mr McPhee would not reveal budgets for the project, he said stage one would use the new grant in full, and "a portion" of earlier seed funding provided by the Clutha District Council.
He said subsequent phases of the redevelopment would entail "significant" further fundraising through grants and other avenues, including the South Otago community.
"This is a multi-stage, multi-year project, and further support will be required along the way.
"The group would love to hear from businesses or interested parties/groups who may like to be involved, or provide financial support as the project progresses."
The project was identified during the Our Place Balclutha consultation process in 2017.
The first three stages comprise site preparation, a new junior bike park, and a dog park.
A destination playground will form the final phase.
"[We have] a concept design we believe will provide a more enjoyable experience in the Naish Park gardens and also make use of the Centennial Park recreation area," Mr McPhee said.
