Resident proposes grander plan for new park in downtown New Kensington

As New Kensington moves ahead in developing a downtown park, one resident thinks the plan could be grander.

Melvyn Smith is pitching a plan to council that would expand the park into an “L” shape that would cut off Barnes Street and tie into an existing city parklet at Fifth Avenue and Eighth Street where the old Liberty Theater once stood.

“In this day and age, when green space is at a premium, we have a chance to reshape the city,” Smith, a longtime community activist, told council Monday.

Currently, the plan for the park between Barnes Street and the railroad tracks calls for it to be built on city-owned property, a large parking lot behind People’s Library.

In the boomtown days of the city’s downtown business district, that lot was filled with the vehicles of people who worked, shopped and conducted business downtown. But as the downtown started to decline in the 1970s, the lot saw less use every year. It has stood barren of vehicles for at least 20 years.

Under the city’s plan, which dates to at least 2017, about a quarter of that parking lot would be retained for use by library patrons and employees. From that point, the park begins and extends to Eighth Street at the end of the block. It includes two full-court basketball courts and a playground.

A $227,000 grant from the state’s Green­ways, Trails & Recreation program will pay for the park’s development.

What Smith proposes is to take the city’s planned footprint for the park and turn it toward Fifth Avenue by purchasing a vacant property between Barnes and Fifth and cutting Barnes off from Eighth Street. Where it reaches Fifth Avenue, a large crosswalk would be installed on Fifth Avenue to connect it to the existing parklet.

Smith’s plan would make Barnes Street one-way heading from Ninth Street to Eighth. At the point where the park cuts off the street, traffic on Barnes would be directed onto an unnamed alley and emerge onto Fifth Avenue.

In addition to the basketball courts and playground, Smith proposes adding a spray park for children as well as a recreation area for the handicapped and picnic tables. The park’s entire perimeter would be enclosed by a walking trail.

He wants to name it John W. Regoli Jr. Park in honor of the late city councilman and would call the parklet First Responders Park in honor of the city’s fire, police and EMS personnel.

Smith argues that such an arrangement will provide access to outdoor green space and recreation areas for senior citizens and residents who don’t have the means to access Memorial Park, the city’s premier park. Although Memorial is only about a mile away from downtown, getting there on foot involves crossing and walking along the busy four lanes of Stevenson Boule­vard/Route 56 without the benefit of sidewalks.

Councilman Dante Cicconi, the city’s director of parks and buildings, agrees with what Smith said about access, which is in line with what council is thinking.

“One of the reasons the location is good is because it’s at the foot of Ridge Avenue, which can act like a funnel directing people from the hill neighborhoods right down to the park,” Cicconi said.

In addition, it is across the tracks from another well-known recreation facility, the YMCA, he said.

But the problem with Smith’s plan is that it would require buying the vacant lot and finding the money to do it.

Still, nobody on council dismissed the proposal out of hand, which means it might be something that merits closer consideration.

Smith is convinced the larger park would be a valuable asset.

“It would make downtown New Kensington an absolute destination point,” he said.

Sarita Dorsey owns and operates Serita’s Salon on Fifth Avenue. She said the addition of a park would be ideal.

“It should happen,” said Dorsey, adding she would like the park to have curb appeal. “It’s so empty there (in the parking lot), and I would like to see lots of vegetation.”

Diane O’Neil of Lower Burrell frequently visits New Kensington to patronize businesses and visit relatives.

She is in favor of a new park.

“It would be wonderful and bring more people here — a space for young and old,” O’Neil said.

Meanwhile, City Engineer Tony Males told council that the city would not be able to obtain a contractor to do the park construction work, specifically the basketball court installation, through the state’s Costars co-op purchasing program.

He said that acquiring the asphalt for the basketball courts as well as playground equipment for the park can be done through Costars, but the city will have to come up with a contractor to do the actual work on its own.