Sanford is trying to get half a million dollars in grant money to restore a run-down park in a historic part of town.

Coastline Park is near 17-92 on the edge of the historic Goldsboro community.

WFTV's Tim Barber found out residents believe the project could turn around the neighborhood.

Delvin Ingram learned how to play ball at the park, but nowadays he said the park is usually empty with the exception of the occasional homeless person.

"Don't anybody come down here to do anything," said Ingram. "I mean, it means everything because it's already a poverty stricken area."

WFTV found out that Sanford leaders are already working to nail down $475,000 in grants to restore it. The project would add a new playground, picnic pavilion and landscaping. It would also restore an old fountain, the tennis courts, and of course Ingram's favorite basketball haven, which he said could turn around historic Goldsboro.

"Over the years it kept me out of a lot of trouble," said Ingram.

WFTV checked and found out that just in last year, the community around the park has seen more than 160 crimes.

The grant would not just pay to update what's in the park. The new money would pay to connect the trail to the coastline.

Ingram said that would help attract people to the struggling park and turn around the struggling community.

"Oh, if they put a half a million dollars into it, you can bet your last dollar everyone is going to be out there," said Ingram.

The city already has one $200,000 grant. Officials are applying for the other two this fall.