Leetsdale to add ADA spaces at Henle Park, borough building

Leetsdale officials plan to make the borough building and one of their major parks more accessible.

Two Americans with Disabilities Act parking spaces are being added around Henle Park, and the one in front of the borough building along Beaver Street is being replaced.

Borough engineer Dan Slagle said all three are being largely funded through Allegheny County Department of Development grants administered by the Quaker Valley Council of Governments.

Construction is expected to begin on the new space by the Henle Park war memorial along Ferry Street sometime in May.

Council approved a $37,500 contract with Elizabeth-based Swede Construction for the work, which also includes sidewalk improvements from the memorial to Beaver Street.

“The sidewalks that are in and about that area are starting to deteriorate, which makes it difficult for handicapped residents to gain access to the park,” Slagle said.

The new space and sidewalk are expected to be ready by the end of June.

Slagle said the borough was awarded a $43,500 grant for the project. A pre-construction meeting took place in December.

A second ADA space for the park is being planned by the VFW. It’s expected to go out for bid within the next few weeks. It is unclear when that will be ready.

Slagle said the borough plans to use $14,000 of a $29,422 grant toward the VFW parking pad.

The remainder of the grant will be used for a new ADA space at the borough building.

Council President Maria Napolitano said increasing accessibility was one of the borough needs outlined in its comprehensive plan.

“I commend our borough engineer for pursuing the grant opportunities for ADA accessible parking,” she said.

“Henle Park in particular is in need of such accessibly,” Napolitano said. “During the comprehensive planning process, we talked to many residents. We have many seniors in Leetsdale who are disabled.

“They told us that even though they live right next to the park they hardly ever go there because there’s no place for them to park and get out of the vehicle and walk across the park grounds.

The new spaces are expected to solve that problem and help with future plans.

“ADA accessibility for the park is very important for any subsequent projects that we’re looking to do to update park amenities,” Napolitano said. “All grant agencies that can fund playground equipment want to see the amenities be fully ADA accessible.”