Bethel Park recreation plans include new splash pad, playground at Park Avenue

A new splash pad, playground and pavilions are among the plans for a park along Park Avenue in Bethel Park.

Council president Tim Moury said everything is still in the design phase. Contract bids for project specifications will be sought in late fall and construction is planned for early next year.

Total project cost is estimated at around $2 million with about $1.1 million budgeted for this year.

“It’s our commitment to improving the quality of life for our residents,” Moury said.

A splash pad is a concrete pad with water features that children can run through and splash around in.

Stacey Graf, borough director of engineering, said the proposed location is at the baseball field near the back of the parking lot, between the historical society and the community center.

Moury sits on a recreation subcommittee overseeing the plans with fellow council members Mark O’Brien, Joe Consolmagno and Lorrie Gibbons.

“Providing recreation for the younger families to keep them involved and keep them in Bethel Park, that’s a number one priority,” said Consolmagno, public works chairman. “That’s why we’ve upgraded our parks. It’s important to keep families involved with recreation. The splash pad is going to be a big draw for the community. We want to do it right and make sure we put it in the right kind of park.”

Gateway Engineers is working with Stacey Graf on the project.

The borough received about $200,000 in grants from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, as well as $750,000 through the Commonwealth’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the upgrades.

The larger sum was acquired with the help of state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny/Washington.

“Bethel Park has been trying to obtain this funding for years. With this grant, they can finally get started on much-needed improvements,” said Mihalek via news release. “I’m really excited for the community and the people who have worked so hard to make this happen.”

The splash pad, playground and pavilions are part of a multi-phase recreational development that was started a few years ago. It includes the relocation of the ballfields from Park Avenue to Millennium Park, which is currently under construction, as well as the turf field that was installed at Village Green Park.

The borough did a recreation study a while back to help map out future projects.

“We really wanted to see where we could go,” Moury said. “Every 10 years we’ve been doing this. It kind of evaluates where we are and where we need to be, to get expert opinions and recommendations. It also helps when applying for grants that you have a strategic plan.”