Rosedale Civic Association works to continue improving life in Rosedale community

Rosedale residents can expect some new and exciting projects as a community group aims to enhance life in the neighborhood.

The Rosedale Civic Association — formed in March 2020 — is made up of longtime Rosedale community members.

“Ultimately the idea is having a community where we are working together towards common goals,” said Laurie Lesoon, vice president of the association. “We want to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Rosedale.”

The group consists of 100 members and is broken down into subcommittees that focus on improvements in different parts of Rosedale and Penn Hills. The committees include a Welcome committee, park committee and a code enforcement committee.

The association is also pursuing projects that would help add more life and entertainment to the area. One of those efforts is renovating the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department Park. To fund the $150,000 project, the association held a carnival in June in a joint effort with the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department to help raise funds.

John Petrucci, president of the association, said an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people attended the carnival, which raised $5,000 used to help construct a wall and fix minor repairs around the park Aug. 10-11. The association hopes to hold the carnival annually going forward.

“As donations come in, they will correspond with everything,” Petrucci said. “I’d hope by the end of next year, we would have a lot of the park done.”

Petrucci said the association is waiting for two grants to be approved to help with other renovations for the project, including a new steel pavilion stage, playground revitalization and a new walking path. The pavilion would allow for movies in the park and live entertainment.

After the park renovations, the group is hoping to develop a dog park for the community near Third Street and Woodlawn Drive and host yoga in the park.

“People need something to be excited about and draw the community together,” Lesoon said.

The association’s next fundraising event will be “Night At the Races” on Oct 2. The event will include food and horses races, with an opportunity for attendees to bet on the races.

“Hopefully everyone gets the word out and we have a good night,” Petrucci said.