Agreement nearly complete on Agan Park joint recreation board

Springdale and Cheswick boroughs are forming a joint recreational board to oversee Agan Park, an underused park in need of some care and direction.

The park, located along Riddle Run Road in Springdale Township, was bequeathed to Springdale and Cheswick boroughs, which took over ownership in the 1950s.

The park spans about 100 acres. It includes a baseball field, concession stand, pavilion, a large open field and a number of recreational trails including a portion of the Rachel Carson Trail.

“The park is a great resource that hasn’t been utilized,”said Michael Girardi, vice president of the Cheswick Council.

Although the park has been open and used for baseball games, the poor condition of its gravel road has prevented the public from really using the park, Girardi said.

“The road is passable, unless you’re driving a Corvette,” he said.

He would like to work with Springdale on securing grants to upgrade the park.

Springdale and Cheswick take turns cutting the grass and doing other maintenance.

Work on the new recreational board stopped with the death of Springdale Councilman Frank Forbes in December.

Shawn Fitzgerald was appointed to fill Forbes’ seat and will represent Springdale with managing the park.

Having both communities work together on grants will improve chances of landing those grants, both men said.

Girardi said he and Fitzgerald should soon iron out the details of the agreement, which he said is about 98% complete.