Friday, February 28, 2025, 9:06PM |  51°
MENU
Advertisement
Pennsylvania could produce a vibrant autumn leaf show. Above, beech leaves in autumn under a blue sky.
1
MORE

Bethel Park's community parks in line for numerous upgrades

WikiPedia

Bethel Park's community parks in line for numerous upgrades

Millennium Park to get $1 million for face-lift

Bethel Park’s Millennium Park is set to get a nearly $1 million face-lift starting in the next few weeks.

“It’s been a long time in the making,” Bethel Park’s director of engineering Stacey Graf said of the $970,600 project for one of the biggest parks in the municipality.

Bethel Park received a $286,300 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior to help offset some of the project cost.

Advertisement

The work in the park, which sits off Baptist Road, has many components, including taking out the current multipurpose field and making it a Bronco League-sized baseball field. It is slated to be completed in September.

“The good thing about this field is it’s going to have a turf infield that will allow us to play no matter what the weather is, because it won’t be muddy after a heavy rain event,” Ms. Graf said.

The existing restrooms, which have a small garage attached to them, will be upgraded. The garage will be turned into a concession stand, and a new public works shed will be built elsewhere on the property.

Another component will be a walking trail around the field, so parents can keep an eye on their kids while they’re playing. A similar walking trail is already in place at Bethel Park’s Village Green Park, which Ms. Graff said is a “big hit.”

Advertisement

“The path will be about a half-mile loop around the field,” she said.

Oak Tree Park on Summit Street and Birch Tree Park on Ashland Drive both received stormwater upgrades last year and are slated for more improvements this year.

Both of the parks will get new playgrounds, which will be installed in June or July.

“At Oak Tree Park, we’re going to try something new and put in something that’s called a gaga pit,” Ms. Graff. “It’s sort of like dodgeball in a pen. It’s an octagon-shaped wall — you’re not allowed to throw [the ball]. You have to push the ball with your hands, but when it pushes it ricochets off the pit.”

Also at Oak Tree Park, a shade structure will be built to replace the former pavilion that was demolished to accommodate a bigger playground.

“There will still be shade and picnic tables. It will just look different,” Ms. Graf said.

Finally, Ms. Graf said, she’s “super excited” about the plans for Park Avenue Park near the community center, which is slated for $3 million in improvements.

The municipality received close to $1 million in grant funds for upgrades to that park, which include plans for a splash pad and playground.

Bethel Park received two grants for the park: a Gaming and Economic Development Fund for $200,000 and a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant for $750,000.

“This is just in the concept stage now. It will be a project for next year,” Ms. Graf said.

Park Avenue has an existing T-ball field that will be taken out and replaced with a splash pad and a playground. Ms. Graf said since they are adding a field at Millennium, they were comfortable taking the one out of Park Avenue.

Three pavilions will also be added to Park Avenue as well as a two-story restroom that will be accessible from above, where the football field is located, and below, where the splash pad will be installed.

Two grandstands will be added to the existing football field, which currently doesn’t have any stands.

There will also be green space where people can toss a Frisbee or have a picnic.

Ms. Graf said the project is set to begin in the spring of 2022.

She said she’s excited about the project, and its potential to be a destination because of its proximity to the Port Authority’s light rail.

“You can access it from the T, so you have the ability to bring not just Bethel Park residents but people from other areas into our community,” she said.

Ms. Graf is already in the midst of applying for grants for more park improvements for 2022, including upgrades to Pine Tree Park on N Street.

“We’re working through each of the parks, and hopefully the community loves it and can visit each park,” Ms. Graf said, adding that the goal is to have each park have something different, so residents will want to visit all of the parks.

Deana Carpenter, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

First Published: April 22, 2021, 11:44 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
President Donald Trump, right, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Washington
1
news
Zelenskyy leaves White House without signing minerals deal after Oval Office blowup with Trump
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, center, and teammates run the 'Tush Push' play during an playoff game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia.
2
sports
Ray Fittipaldo: The Packers are right. The NFL should ban the 'Tush Push'
The Downtown skyline with the Fort Pitt Bridge on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
3
opinion
Brandon McGinley: Is Pittsburgh doomed?
Parishioners pray for the health of Pope Francis at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025.
4
news
Pope had coughing fit, inhaled vomit and his prognosis remains guarded, Vatican says
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard passes against Notre Dame during first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta.
5
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits at quarterback
Pennsylvania could produce a vibrant autumn leaf show. Above, beech leaves in autumn under a blue sky.  (WikiPedia)
WikiPedia
Advertisement
LATEST local
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story