Officials hope to reopen Agan Park soon after monthlong closure

Springdale and Cheswick officials say they’re hoping to reopen Agan Park in the coming weeks after a severe storm last month rendered it unsafe because of downed and hanging trees.

The park is an extensive green space along Riddle Run Road in Springdale Township but is jointly managed by Springdale and Cheswick boroughs.

At the Agan Park Joint Recreation Board’s most recent meeting, Springdale Council member Joe Kern said the group voted to accept a bid to remove several overhanging trees throughout the park.

Cheswick Council President Brad Yaksich said his borough’s public works crews did an “excellent job” clearing what downed trees they could but still require “specialized assistance” in some areas.

He said a firm reopening date remains unclear, but he is hoping to allow the public back within the next two weeks.

The park’s dog park, however, will remain closed indefinitely because of several large trees nearby, Yaksich said.

Because of a disaster declaration issued by Allegheny County, Yaksich said, the boroughs hope to be reimbursed for the unexpected costs of the tree removal.

“While unplanned, this work is necessary to ensure all dangerous trees are removed so that Agan Park can be safely accessed by the public,” Yaksich said in a statement.

Kern said reopening the park also would allow youth athletics to resume at the park’s ballfields.

The Rachel Carson Trail, a 45-mile hiking trail that traverses Agan Park, remains open. But the boroughs are advising hikers to exercise “extra caution” in the park.