Several projects slated for Hempfield Park

Changes are coming to Hempfield Park, with a grand opening planned for next year.

According to Aaron Siko, director of parks and recreation for the township, projects including a rehabilitation and a new dog park are slated to be completed early next year. The dog park is under construction across from the park’s ball field, according to the Gibson-Thomas Engineering website.

The $332,000 project will create an off-leash dog park consisting of four dog runs, two for large dogs and two for small dogs. It is funded by a grant from the Land & Water Conservation Fund provided by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and through fundraising.

The dog park is expected to open in the spring.

The Hempfield Park rehabilitation project includes several renovations and new construction, including a new pavilion and restrooms, renovated baseball and soccer fields, new sports field lighting, new picnic areas, concrete handicapped walkways, improved parking and updated signage and site amenities.

Work on the more than $1.4 million project is slated to begin at the end of this month. A grand opening is expected in March.

According to Siko, the project is funded through two grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, two grants from the state Department of Natural Resources, one from the Community Development Block Grant provided by Westmoreland County, one from the Scott Electrical Foundation and others through the Hempfield Parks Fund.

The changes come more than a year after the township’s new amphitheater opened at the park. The $382,000 amphitheater has hosted several concerts after opening in May 2019.