Springdale, Springdale Township to see park improvements from donations

Springdale’s Veterans Memorial Park and Miller Park in Springdale Township are set to see several improvements in the coming months.

That’s thanks to donations from LS Power, the company that owns the Springdale Power Station.

At Veterans Memorial, contractors will begin installing a dek hockey rink and two pickleball courts near the playground and baseball field, Springdale Borough Manager Terry Carcella said.

Before that, he said, public works crews would have to take down a nearby fence and cut down a tree to make way for the development.

Carcella said he expects the work to be complete by fall.

The additions to the park, he said, are the first step toward the future of the field, which was left largely vacant after hosting Springdale Dynamos football for more than 80 years.

Unsuccessful lease negotiations between the borough and Allegheny Valley School District led the district to build a new turf field near Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School to serve as its home field.

The borough manager said Springdale would soon form a study committee, comprising residents and officials, to determine the best course of action for the area.

“There’s major things coming down the road,” he said.

In the township, Manager William McElligott said officials already had ordered new equipment for Miller Park, located directly across from the municipal building.

He said residents can expect a new swing set, playground equipment and mulch throughout the park.

Township officials are hoping to hold a ceremony soon after Labor Day to celebrate the revamped park, McElligott said.

“Hopefully, we get younger kids back in there,” he said.

James Baird, plant manager at the Springdale Power Station, said the company routinely makes smaller donations to community organizations like food banks. But recently his company began shelling out a yearly large-scale contribution for local projects.

Vets Park, which received $53,000 for its additions, was last year’s project. Miller Park, this year’s project, received a similar investment, Baird said.

“Really, what it’s about is getting the community more involved, outside more,” Baird said.

He said he hopes the donations can “revitalize” the recreation areas and do some good for local residents.