Sewickley Hills officials hope to improve the borough’s park and recreation options through a new master plan.
A draft of the community park plan was recently revealed by borough engineer Emile Ketterer of NIRA Consulting Engineers.
It is available for review at the borough office, 349 Magee Road.
The park is next to the borough building.
“It’s a good piece of work,” said Councilman Hunter Hopkins, who stressed the plan was a work in progress. “It looks fantastic.”
Two phases of projects were outlined in the discussion by council members last month.
Phase one projects included extending the borough parking area by about 28 spaces for an estimated $367,000; parking area sidewalks, curbs, landscaping and related work for an estimated $24,000; stormwater management at an estimated $145,000; installing electrical conduit throughout the site for future lighting at an estimated $114,000; and an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant walking trail for about $45,000.
Phase two projects included a playground for $300,000; an amphitheater/pavilion for an estimated $120,000; an additional bathroom for an estimated $76,000; as well as a gravel driveway/parking area to a pavilion, paved handicap space, painting and connection to the ADA walking trail for an estimated $60,000.
Ketterer said cost estimates are rough preliminary figures based on current estimates, bidding prices and contingencies.
Those dollars could change based on new and more specific information.
“Playgrounds can wildly vary at this point in time, based on the equipment that you choose, if you ever choose it,” Ketterer said. “You can see playgrounds anywhere from $100,000 up to $500,000 easily, with adding equipment and surfaces that you put and different preparations and things you do.”
The proposed pavilion could be a revenue generator through rentals or outdoor classroom use.
The plan also mentioned a possible loop connection to the Kaclik Trail easement. There were no cost estimates for that effort.
Councilman Thomas Klixbull said agencies are looking for more information when it comes to grant funding, and the master plan is designed to help with that process.
“We’re learning when we have to go get the grants that we need to have something more specific than, ‘This is what I want to do,’ ” Klixbull said. “We have to show the overall plan.”
He also said the proposed phases could be broken down into smaller sections depending on funding and priorities.
“There may be phase one A, phase one B, phase one D,” Klixbull said. “This would help everybody in deciding which grants to go after and figure out what we do.”
Hopkins said the master plan concept has been in the works for a couple of years. There was an electronic survey in 2024 to get public input.
Plan development ramped up in August and into the fall with surveyors examining the area. The estimated cost for master plan development is $12,000.
“We’re excited for the next chapter,” Hunter said. He cited resident interest in a walking trail and agreed with Klixbull in having multiple phases of development.
The plan is expected to be discussed at upcoming planning commission and council meetings prior to formal adoption.
Council meetings are the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the borough building.
The next planning commission meeting is March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the borough building.
