Upgrades for Leetsdale's Kohlmeyer Park proposed at community meeting

Leetsdale residents recently weighed in on what they want to see at Kohlmeyer Park.

About 25 folks attended a community meeting at the borough building on April 28.

“We discussed the current use of the park, desired updates, and the residents’ current concerns,” council president Maria Napolitano said. “Attendees examined the park map and picked their priorities for playground equipment.”

The park is located at 1301 Brickworks Drive, by the Washington Street dead end.

It has a playground, a small pavilion and a basketball court.

Scott Zahner, councilman and parks and recreation chairman, said the majority of the suggestions at the meeting were about expanding those areas and adding lighting for safety.

“It would give the children down there on Washington Street a better place to play,” Zahner said.

Napolitano said the park is a community asset that more nonresidents have used as of late. The goal is to eventually acquire grants for the suggested upgrades.

“Residents’ feedback was that the park is really appreciated for close-at-home recreation activities,” Napolitano said. “Though there has been more use of the park by out-of-town guests who come to the Rize Sports facility, the residents emphasized that they want to preserve the character of the park for neighborhood use.”

A memorial tree was planted in the park in March in memory of Leetsdale native Walter P. “Buddy” Kretzler III, son of Walter and Henrietta Kretzler and brother of Susan Kretzler-Falcone.

A 1976 Quaker Valley graduate, Kretzler III furthered his education at Grove City College, earning a degree in metallurgical engineering in 1981. He was inducted into the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2000 as a star athlete in football and track.

Zahner recently obtained a $5,000 grant from the Sewickley Valley Community Fund to fix up the Henle Park restrooms, and purchase a projector and a screen to have movies in the park.

Kohlmeyer and Henle parks are both owned and maintained by the borough.

“We’re doing stuff this year in Henle Park, and either late this year or next year concentrate on Kohlmeyer Park to upgrade all our parks,” Zahner said.

The Sewickley Valley Community Fund is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life and promoting cooperation and collaboration in the 11 municipalities within the Quaker Valley School District.

More information, including how to donate and submit grant requests, is available at sewickleyvcf.org.