The Cornelia Warren Community Association has approved nearly $65,000 in donations recently to go toward a playground at Prides Corner School and park benches and trash recepticles along the Riverwalk.

John Bernier, president of the association that manages the Cornelia Warren trust set up for community projects, said the Prides Corner playground committee had raised around $50,000, but started running short and faced some drainage issues on the property. The association decided to kick in a matching $50,000.

“We had run into costs we hadn’t anticipated,” said Westbrook City Councilor Suzanne Joyce, who has worked with the Prides Corner project. The city has been replacing the playgrounds, many of which are outdated and unsafe, she said. All the projects had received equal funding from the city, but over the last few years prices have gone up.

“It’s not easy to do some of these projects. They get started and then fall a little short,” Bernier said.

Nearly $16,000 will also be donated to the Westbrook Public Services Department for 11, 6-foot benches and six 36-gallon trash recepticles.

“They’ll be powder-coated, dark green benches and trash cans, matching to what’s already in place,” said Arty Ledoux, public services’ planner and scheduler. “We pick a considerable amount of trash. The more recepticles the better.”

Ledoux said the city has done a survey to identify key places to locate the benches and trash recepticles along the Riverwalk and Main Street. Some of the benches will be replacements for aging benches.

Bernier said Mayor Bruce Chuluda put in a request for a donation, and after Ledoux presented the project to the association’s board members, they felt it was in line with their mission of promoting community.

“Some of these ancilliary things that go to finish up projects in the community, they’re difficult to budget for,” Bernier said. The Cornelia Warren Community Association can often chip in.

The association is always looking for projects. “We prefer matching funds, so there is a community stake in the project as well,” Bernier said. Some community members have expressed interest in making improvements on the Lincoln Park skating rink. Bernier said if they can get a group to raise some money, the association will consider what it can do as well.

Ledoux said the city has also received donated Presumpscot River Watershed signs from the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. The signs were put up last week on Bridge Street and Route 302.

Lloyd McLaughlin, foreground, and Brian Leo install a Presumpscot Watershed sign on Bridge Street on Friday. The signs were donated by the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District.