Communities

ROSS

Denny Park is going to the dogs.

Commissioners on Monday approved a resolution that allows leashed dogs in the park.

“We do hope that the residents are kind enough and smart enough to know that they should be bringing a bag and scooper with them,” said Commissioner Dan DeMarco.

The township eventually will install dog waste receptacles at the park, but they need to be ordered, Manager Doug Sample said.

In related business, Commissioner Pat Mullin said the first movie in a park will be July 6 at dark in Denny Park. “The Secret Life of Pets” will be shown, and residents are allowed to bring their dogs.

Animal Friends also will be there with adoptable pets.

Commissioners also appointed Jennifer Deemer to the planning commission, replacing Nelson Erb. Mr. Erb, 96, was on the planning commission for 23 years, but plans to move from the township.

PLUM

Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley and the Plum Borough School District are seeking approval to build an inclusive playground that would serve students with disabilities at Pivik Elementary School.

“A lot of our current equipment requires climbing and is high off the ground,” Pivik principal Kristen Gestrich said after the June 13 school board committee meeting.

Staff at Pivik Elementary have applied for a $90,000 Build it with KaBoom! grant to pay for the work.

The new equipment could be used by disabled children, including those in wheelchairs, she said, and the new playground would include more space.

Ms. Gestrich said KaBoom! representatives help to get grant money for projects from secondary donors.

If the project is approved, a design meeting will be held to pick out playground equipment, she said.

New playground equipment now exists that allows a child in a wheelchair to roll the chair onto a platform that swings.

If the project receives funding, the playground will be built in one day using about 200 community volunteers, Ms. Gestrich said.

ASPINWALL

Councilwoman Marcia Cooper won approval to spend $1,200 in grant funds for cigarette butt collection receptacles.

Containers for cigarette butts would be mounted to poles and walls.

The program, she said, is through Terracycle, a company also used by the City of Pittsburgh, to help eliminate waste.

Terracycle, Ms. Cooper said, will pay $1 for every pound of cigarette butts it receives from Aspinwall and will recycle the waste into plastic.

At first, the program will be based mostly in lower Aspinwall at sites typically known for excess cigarette butt litter such as alleys, behind businesses and apartment buildings and bus stops she said.

If it is successful, the program will be expanded.