Groups propose community park, garden in downtown New Kensington

Westmoreland Community Action and Wesley Family Services are proposing to build a community park and garden in downtown New Kensington.

As proposed, the park and garden would be on what currently are vacant lots along the northern side of 10th Street between Cherry and Spruce alleys, with Third Avenue running between them.

The city currently owns the property, City Engineer Tony Males said.

Plans submitted to the city show the park on a parcel to the west of Third Avenue and the garden on a narrower parcel to the east. Wesley Family Services’ Pioneer Apartments is nearby, separated from the garden by Cherry Alley.

A diagram shows the park including playground equipment on a rubberized surface and a climbing rock. Features include a plaza and a landscaped rain garden; a wood trellis; concrete benches, one with shade sails; and a building marked as future restrooms or a pavilion.

The garden shows raised planters, shaded planting tables, a garden shed, rain barrels, a shaded picnic bench and an entry trellis. A gravel walk and a paver walkway weave to form an infinity symbol through the garden.

Representatives of Westmoreland Community Action and Wesley Family Services could not be reached Monday for comment.

New Kensington’s planning commission is scheduled to consider the request for the project when it meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday at city hall, 301 11th St. It is the only item on the commission’s agenda.

Males said the groups are first seeking approval of the concept. If given, he said, they would have to come back to the planning commission for another review and approval before it would go to City Council for final approval.

Mayor Tom Guzzo and council asked for the project to go through the city’s planning commission for its recommendation and comments before they vote on it.