16th Street Park in Sharpsburg may get multiple upgrades by next summer

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

Borough officials announced the project at their council meeting last month.

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

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

The project is expected to cost $167,158.

Council voted 6-0 to seek 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 borough would have to pay to get the funds.

Councilwoman Kacie Cope was absent.

DeRunk said she anticipates hearing something back from the state by the end of the year. The project would begin sometime next year should the grant be awarded.

Councilman Corey Ochai said a lot of young people play in the park, and the proposed upgrades likely will make it a more appealing place for others to enjoy as well.

“I feel like it’s always great to take care of the youth,” Ochai said. “When you’re riding through Sharpsburg, it’s one of the only places where you’ll see kids utilizing not only the park but the basketball courts, the baseball fields. Kids play around here. We honor that. We are excited about that.

“That is one of the things that make Sharpsburg Sharpsburg. We have a neighborhood here, and we want to take care of it. We want to add value to it. We want to invest in it, and we want to see if grow. The kids come first. We give them a place to work their imagination. Hopefully, they will continue the Sharpsburg tradition.”

DeRunk said the borough is awaiting to hear back on grant applications for improvements to Heinz Memorial Field and Kennedy Park.

Proposed Heinz upgrades include stormwater management improvements, a new playground and adult fitness area, basketball court resurfacing and new shade structures to be designed later.

The borough is requesting nearly $500,000 through the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Local Share Account for that project.

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

In other business

Council appointed Donna Bishop and Connie Schwickrath to four-year terms on the historic commission.

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

One spot is still available on the nine-member panel.

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

The borough will have a Juneteenth celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. June 22 at Kennedy Park.

A Pride celebration is set for 3 to 6 p.m. June 29 at Kennedy Park.

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

The veteran owned and operated Pittsburgh-based business will paint the yellow and red curb lines throughout the borough.

Public works foreman Dominic Magnelli said G-Force does good work. Having the painting project contracted out saves his department a lot of time and effort, he said.