Tarentum considering memorials in Riverview Memorial Park as band shell renovation begins

Renovation work on the band shell in Tarentum’s Riverview Memorial Park was scheduled to start Saturday, borough manager Michael Nestico said.

Council is waiting for that work to be finished before considering a request for a memorial to a local musician there or an idea for another memorial to many that would support the borough’s recreation board and the park.

In September 2018, the band shell was named the Mayor Carl Magnetta Jr. Memorial Amphitheater, in memory of the former mayor and councilman who died July 1, 2018.

Work on the amphitheater will include a new facade and other aesthetic improvements and lighting, audio and electrical upgrades. Nestico said the work should be finished within a few weeks.

Resident Michael Cornuet has asked to place a plaque memorializing Patrick Segriff on the back wall of the stage. Segriff, 63, of Tarentum died in April. A guitar player, Segriff played in several area bands, including the Beatles tribute band WannaBeatles, and had performed in the park.

“He brought music to Tarentum Park year after year and always had the largest attendance no matter which band he performed with,” Cornuet said in his request. “Literally thousands of people listened to his music over the years. And he took great pride and pleasure in the fact that this all took place in his hometown of Tarentum.”

The plaque would be made of stainless steel, reflecting Segriff’s employment in the administration at Allegheny Technologies Inc., formerly Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp.

Separately, Councilwoman Carrie Fox proposed having a “recognition tree” placed on the band shell. People would be able to memorialize a person with an engraved leaf.

It would have 200 leaves to start, which she said would be priced affordably at $40 or $45. The money would be put into the park, Fox said.

She said the tree would give the borough a way to respond to requests for memorials in the park. Benches had previously been successful, but vandals have removed the plaques that were on them.

While engraved bricks could be a possibility, the recognition tree would be unique in the area, Fox said.

“I don’t think anyone in our area has one,” she said.