Upgrades set for McCahill Park in Fox Chapel, including borough's 1st public pickleball courts

Cora Susi leapt from a wooden ramp onto a small black circular platform and pole and launched herself into the great beyond.

That beyond was 30 feet down a zip line at McCahill Park in Fox Chapel.

It’s the favorite activity of Cora, 4, and her sister, Mira, 5, at the park off Hemlock Hollow Road.

The Sharpsburg girls were enjoying a day at the park recently with their grandmother, Pam Susi.

“It’s a unique friendly atmosphere,” Susi said. “This is one of their favorite parks by far. We’ve been to many parks over the summer, and this is their favorite. They always ask to come here.”

Yillia Uvarova of Pittsburgh also enjoys the park with her 3-year-old son, Martin.

“I like it (because) it’s quiet and safe,” Uvarova said.

On Aug. 19, Fox Chapel Council unanimously voted to award bids for an $820,000 project for various McCahill upgrades to Dun Rite Construction.

Borough Manager Gary Koehler said the company was the lowest of four bidders.

It is being paid for in part by grants from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Community & Economic Development.

Upgrades include repurposing the basketball court to four pickleball courts, renovating the baseball backstop closest to the playground, removing the one furthest away usually used for tee ball and turning that field into a stormwater detention pond and wetlands. A walking trail around the park also is planned.

Mayor Alex Scott said he knows part of the project comes at a cost and welcomes the opportunity for the borough to provide its first public pickleball courts.

“I think it’s becoming so popular that I’m glad we can provide it. I think (the courts) will be well-used,” Scott said.

“I’m sort of disappointed to lose one of the fields, but I understand it’s something we have to do. It’s been declared a flood zone. We had to do stormwater retention, and we’re going to make the most of it. It’s going to be a rain garden, which is a good approach. We’re going to have Western Pennsylvania Conservancy involved in it. They are going to help us do the planting there. The Fox Chapel Parks Conservancy is going to donate money for some of the landscaping.”

Borough engineer Kevin Brett said McCahill routinely floods. He said the project addresses those concerns by repurposing the least used and lowest point of the land at the park and provides other amenities for park users.

Construction will begin after the inaugural Fox Chapel Foxtrot 5K & 1 Mile Family Fun Run set for Sept. 8 at McCahill Park.

The mile route will go south to the loop at Salamander Park, then across the street before retracing back to the McCahill field.

The race route will go to Salamander Park, back through McCahill and extend north along Hemlock Hollow into Scott Park, then along the Eliza Fox Trail before turning back to McCahill.

Renovations are expected to start by early October and be done by the end of the year. It is unclear when the plantings would take place.

Susi said she is happy to hear about Fox Chapel’s investment in its recreation areas.

“It’s important because it creates a fun and safe environment for our kids to play,” Susi said.