Plum Creek Park is closed indefinitely as borough officials continue to address flood damage.

That means no ball games and the borough’s Monday Market will take place in the municipal building parking lot until further notice.

The park along the 4500 block of New Texas Road, like several other Plum areas, was hit hard by flooding July 21.

Borough Manager Michael Thomas said Allegheny County and state officials have been in the borough and multiple other municipalities last week assessing flood damage.

Plum organizers moved the recently launched farmer’s market across the street so vendors and shoppers could keep the event going at about the same location.

The market first opened July 8. It’s scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through the end of September.

Jim Bridge, owner of Plum-based Bridge’s Farm & Greenhouses, laid out apples, corn, peaches and other fresh produce as normal. He said there was a sparse crowd this week due to the location change.

“If we keep moving every week it (will) make it hard,” he said. “People won’t know where we are. It’s been excellent (at Plum Creek Park). When we were over there we had more young people. Here we have nothing but old people. It’s a big difference. Maybe you get some people by accident. Young people buy bigger orders.”

Carrie DelRosso, Plum’s public relations consultant, believes there will be more people at future markets.

“We’ve doubled in size and got new (vendors),” she said. “I think people are more focused on cleaning out their houses and getting back to normal.”

Scott Marshall of Marshall’s Heritage Farm in Smicksburg said he did about the same amount of business Monday as in previous weeks. They had carrots, tomatoes and a few other vegetables. Both farmers’ products are all natural with no pesticides.

“Moving the location hasn’t affected us,” he said. “As long as people check the Plum Borough Facebook page, they’ll be able to find us. This is a first year for us going to farmer’s markets. (Plum’s) the busiest market that I’ve had yet this year. People are supporting it. My vegetables still taste the same on this side of the road as they do on the other side of the road.”

Designs by Becka is one of the newest Plum market vendors. Owner Becka Juricich of North Huntingdon made snow cones and had clothing and other wares available.

“I’d like to do it again,” she said.

Sampson Family YMCA Teaching Kitchen Coordinator Beth Taylor gave guests free samples of panzanella, a bread salad, which was made from both farmers’ produce. She plans on being at future markets no matter what location.

Ball park damage

Fencing along the ball fields was damaged. There’s dirt and debris scattered about the grounds. Wooden barriers and no trespassing signs were posted at the entrances. An estimated cost of damage was unavailable.

The football field on the other side of the park was not as damaged, but the borough could not have the market there due to Plum Midget Football Association practice.

Thomas said Plum crews have not spent much time on park repairs because they want to make sure the sanitary sewer system and roads are clear.

Council Vice President Dave Seitz, former Plum Baseball and Softball Association president, hopes the grounds are ready for the youth’s fall ball starting after Labor Day.

“Right now, it’s not an issue because we’re between seasons,” he said. “In August there’s nothing scheduled. We have to see what we can get operational.”

He said other associations offered to lend use of their fields if the park’s still closed come September.

More information about Plum’s Monday Market is available at plumboro.com.

More information about the baseball and softball association is available at pbsasports.net.

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