Creekside Park off Dark Hollow Road in Oakmont will undergo much needed repairs through a partnership with the borough and Riverview Athletic Association.
Repairs are estimated to cost around $30,000.
Harsh July storms flooded the park and many parts of Allegheny County. The walking track was completely under water. The ball field sustained the most damage with the infield ground and dirt pushed into the outfield.
Borough Manager Scot Fodi said the park is still open, and the soccer field is playable.
Councilwoman Leah Powers said there is enough money in a parks maintenance fund to cover the project, but she doubted it will cost the estimated $30,000.
RAA President Rich Ogrodowski said his group plans to provide volunteers to do the labor and have the borough pay for the materials.
The RAA and the borough plan to acquire more quotes from contractors as a backup option. There is no timeline for the project.
“We’ve partnered with the borough for quite some time, and we always get these projects done,” Ogrodowski said. “This one’s not going to be an exception. We’re trying to secure some equipment so we can end up doing it on our own. It sounds like everybody that I’ve talked to is committed to making sure the its ready to go before the season starts.”
The RAA uses the field primarily for its third through sixth grade boys baseball program. Their season runs from March to October.
The RAA has used Cribbs Field in Verona and Riverside Park in Oakmont as alternatives to Creekside.
“It’s the gem of all the fields that we use,” Ogrodowski said of Creekside. “Even when we go to other fields and other parts, we feel it’s one of the best parks in all the local communities. It’s great for the kids to be able to go down there and play on a field like that, and it’s nice to host teams on a field such as that.”
Go to raasports.org or call Ogrodowski at 724-980-7263 for more information on RAA and how to help.
