16th Street Park in Sharpsburg may receive several upgrades next summer

New benches, decorative fencing and a basketball court are just some of the upgrades planned for 16th Street Park in Sharpsburg.

City officials announced the project at their city council meeting last month.

“There is nothing wrong with the park. It’s just all improvements,” said City Manager Christine DeRunk. “These are just things to make it even better and add seating and color.”

Other proposed upgrades include new picnic tables, textured coating on the splash pad, painting the pavilion, new trash bins, approximately 500 feet of new sidewalk and signage for pedestrians and traffic.

The project is expected to cost $167,158.

Council voted 6-0 to apply for a $145,355 state grant through the Department of Community & Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.

There is a 15% match of $25,073 the city would have to pay to get the money.

Councilwoman Kacie Cope was absent.

DeRunk said she expects to hear from the state by the end of the year. If the grant is awarded, the project would start sometime next year.

Councilman Corey Ochai said many young people play at the park, and the proposed upgrades will likely make it a more attractive place for others as well.

“I feel like it’s always great to take care of the youth,” Ochai said. “If you drive through Sharpsburg, it’s one of the few places where you see kids using not only the park, but the basketball courts and the baseball fields. Children play around here. We honor that. We are enthusiastic about that.

“That’s one of the things that makes Sharpsburg Sharpsburg. We have a neighborhood here and we want to take good care of it. We want to add value to it. We want to invest in it, and we want to see if it grows. The children come first. We give them a place where they can let their imagination run wild. Hopefully they will continue the Sharpsburg tradition.”

DeRunk said the city is waiting on grant applications for improvements to Heinz Memorial Field and Kennedy Park.

Proposed Heinz upgrades include stormwater management improvements, a new playground and fitness center for adults, resurfacing the basketball court and new shade structures to be designed later.

The council is applying for almost $500,000 for that project through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account.

DeRunk said Sharpsburg has applied for federal money through an Allegheny County Community Development Block Grant for stormwater management improvements and asphalt resurfacing.

In other matters

Council appointed Donna Bishop and Connie Schwickrath to four-year terms on the Historical Commission.

Mayor Brittany Reno was not present at the meeting to swear in the new members.

There is still one spot available on the nine-member panel.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the district office at 412-781-0546.

The community will hold a Juneteenth celebration at Kennedy Park on June 22 from 4 to 8 p.m.

There will be a Pride celebration in Kennedy Park on June 29 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Council approved a curb painting contract with G-Force not to exceed $16,737.

The veteran-owned and operated Pittsburgh-based company will paint the yellow and red curbs throughout the community.

Dominic Magnelli, public works foreman, said G-Force is doing a good job. Outsourcing the painting project will save his department a lot of time and effort, he says.