Funding for Lower Burrell park projects 'a nice win,' mayor says

Walking the extra loop at Lower Burrell’s K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Park trail will take a little longer, but it will be paved.

And basketball players at Burrell Lake Park soon will be able to enjoy a new surface on the courts.

The work will be covered by a $108,757 state grant announced by state Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, and state Reps. Abby Major, R-Leechburg, and Leslie Rossi, R-Unity. The money comes from fees charged to natural gas well drillers in the state.

Lower Burrell Mayor Chris Fabry said the city will use the money to replace the acrylic surface on the basketball court at Burrell Lake Park and to extend the trail at Kotecki Park another 790 feet behind the last ball field.

The grant money, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority on Tuesday, must be used within two years. While Lower Burrell is aiming to complete everything this year, there is a limited number of vendors available to replace the surface on the basketball courts, so that project could be pushed back into next year depending on contractors’ availability, Fabry said.

There also will be upgrades to the basketball court itself, including new hoops and backboards as well as a fence around it and some drainage work, Fabry said.

“I’m particularly excited about the trail extension, as the addition will create a full loop option for our regular walkers,” Fabry said.

“This money was a nice win for Lower Burrell and will be put to great use.”

Fabry said the city first sought funding for the projects last April. From there, the request went before Major, Pittman and Rossi, who were able to secure the funding.

Elsewhere in Westmoreland County, state officials secured just over $71,000 for a park improvement project in New Florence.

“These improvement projects will be an asset to our local communities, and I’m pleased to have advocated for this state funding,” Pittman said.

“This will enhance recreational opportunities for Lower Burrell residents and visitors by providing an outlet for people to get outside and exercise,” Major said of the city projects.

The money comes from impact fees on unconventional natural gas wells. Impact fees are levied in addition to regular business taxes paid by every corporation in the state, and disbursements are based on a formula designed to ensure communities affected by drilling receive their fair share of funding as authorized by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, according to a joint statement from Pittman, Major and Rossi.

“Receiving funds through programs such as these is vital for Lower Burrell. It affords us the opportunity to improve our parks without additional tax burdens on our residents,” Fabry said.