Hempfield OKs $300K improvements at park near Old Route 66

KGD Contracting, Inc. will handle the construction of the third phase of improvements at Hempfield Park.

The firm submitted the lowest bid for the work, coming in at $334,090. Township supervisors awarded them the contract this week.

There were three other bids ranging from $366,038 to $412,370.

“They came in right where we expected,” said Marissa Haynes, director of parks and recreation.

The third phase of the work will include a dance floor in the amphitheater, regrading of the lawn at the venue, additional shade trees and the creation of an accessible pathway. The project is being funded through a 2021 bond and a $369,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The amphitheater hosts the free Amp Up Your Summer concert series that typically draws a large crowd.

The work is part of ongoing improvements at the park off Forbes Trail Road in the northern part of the township. In recent years, a dog park and sports fields have been added.

Supervisors previously approved the $277,000 purchase of a prefabricated building to house bathrooms and a concession stand. It will be included in the third phase.

The Amp Up Your Summer concert series wrapped up at the end of August with Bon Journey.

“It really was one of the biggest crowds that I’d seen there,” Supervisor Bill Bretz said. “With the improvements that we’re going to make to the park … I would really hope that we get another big name to be the opening concert there to really kick that off for the season. If we get as many folks as possible there for the first show, hopefully they’ll continue to come out.”

“I was out there as well and that was a great crowd,” agreed Supervisor Jay Anderson.

The work is part of a decadelong vision to improve the park that was spurred by a recently updated master plan for the township.