Almost $500K in upgrades return Kiskiminetas River Park to point of pride for East Vandergrift

East Vandergrift officials have long seen potential in Kiskiminetas River Park, a small greenspace tucked in the borough’s eastern corner that for years was plagued by vandals.

Discussions about a revival kicked off in 2020. Five years later, that work has paid off.

Now, instead of a swingless swingset, there’s a brightly colored playground. A bare-minimum boat launch has been upgraded in hopes of attracting kayakers and canoeists.

And, in a sign of the times, residents now have a place to play pickleball.

“We just want to get people engaged,” Councilwoman Karen Virostek said.

The borough received several boosts along the way, most notably a $303,000 grant from the state in 2023. Another $153,000 in state money came through last year. Tack on two boat launch-specific infusions, and nearly $500,000 has been invested in the park.

Councilman Jeremy Manners has taken a particular interest in the 35-year-old public park since his appointment in 2020.

Not long before then, troublemakers had spray-painted over security cameras and put graffiti on the cement floor and walls of the pavilion. A water line burst soon after, making the two on-site restrooms nonfunctional.

“People didn’t take care of it,” Manners said.

By the time he was elected in 2021, he had helped to get the pavilion repainted and the water turned back on so the borough could rent out the space.

He takespride in the state of the park at the end of Elm Street, but there’s more to do, he said. The borough is seeking funding for a permanently installed cornhole set, horseshoe pit and more playground equipment.

Virostek also is eager to further lean into the park as one of the tiny borough’s premier assets. He has visions of the place as a destination for paddlers on the Kiski River.

“It’s the one asset that we have down here,” she said. “If we could somehow develop something on the water, that would be wonderful.”

The park gates are locked from dusk to dawn by the Vandergrift Police Department.

Bookings for the pavilion can be made through the borough office at 724-567-7213.