Lower Burrell's Veterans Central Park gets state money for upgrades

Lower Burrell will get $50,000 in state money to make repairs to Veterans Central Park.

The city requested a little more than $172,400 to upgrade the park at Bethel and Schreiber streets.

The park is one of several maintained by the city.

The Commonwealth Financing Authority grant was announced by state Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Murrysville.

He said the city will put money with the work.

“I’m pleased to know that funding for this project has been secured,” said Brooks. “It will help repair and make this area function more efficiently and encourage further economic development in our district for the future,” Brooks said.

City leaders said in an application that they want to seal and install a new surface on two tennis courts and purchase new equipment to make the courts multipurpose.

They also want to add stone to the park trails, purchase and install new playground equipment, and repair the damage and remove debris from the drainage system, said state House of Representatives spokesman Rick Leiner.

The almost 7 acre park is located behind city hall.

City Councilman Joe Grillo welcomed the news. “The state money is a plus,” he said.

Councilman Chris Fabry said the work will likely be scaled back somewhat.

“We will also apply for other grants and we will do a lot more on our own,” he said.

Playground equipment replacement and work on the two tennis court surfaces will be done first. Work on the walkways and general beautification could be done by volunteers, including scouts and students on the Burrell High School Day or Caring.

In the past, students have helped to improve Kotecki and Burrell Lake parks, Fabry said.