State grant will help construct road to proposed Unity kayak launch

A state grant literally will help pave the way for a proposed kayak launch and athletic complex along Loyalhanna Creek in Unity.

Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation was approved for a $299,200 grant from the state Multimodal Transportation Fund to help construct an access road from Center Drive to the launch site. The grant requires a 30% local match.

The road “would give us access to the creek for boat launching, fishing and other activities,” said Craig Shevchik, parks and recreation director. “It would be part of a parking lot and gets us into that area so we can develop the potential new park.”

The program last year received a $625,000 grant for the proposed Latrobe Sports and Recreational Complex from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The complex would be developed next to Lawn Rx, on roughly 26 acres owned by the Latrobe Foundation and designated for recreational use.

Shevchik noted the new launch off Center Drive would allow beginners to paddle downstream in a canoe or kayak, when the creek’s water level is sufficient, to an existing launch at Cardinal Park in Latrobe.

It also could extend the course of the annual Loyalhanna Sojourn paddling excursion that runs from Cardinal Park to New Alexandria. This year’s sojourn was canceled because of low water levels and concerns related to the covid-19 pandemic.

Other potential amenities at the Unity site could include a dek hockey rink, a dog park, walking trails, restrooms and a multiuse grass athletic field.

Shevchik acknowledged there is a great demand for additional sites where people can bring their dogs since pets are prohibited at Latrobe’s Legion Keener Park, which the rec board manages, and a dog park at Twin Lakes Park near Greensburg “gets overrun” with canines and their owners.

Shevchik said the access road and boat launch likely would be the first developments at the complex once environmental studies are completed.

“We’re working with (the Department of Environmental Protection) and some other folks to make sure what we can actually have there and what restrictions there might be. There was some concrete and asphalt dumped at that site in the past.”