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.

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 Leaguesized 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.”

“The path will be about a halfmile 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 octagonshaped 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 Tball 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.