March for Parks in Westmoreland County passes $1 million mark

The speakers were blasting “Eye of the Tiger” as hundreds of marchers set off Saturday along the walking path at Twin Lakes Park.

They had reason to celebrate. It was the 17th annual March for Parks fundraiser, and this year the total collected since the first march passed $1 million.

“Your dollars today are going to go right back into the parks, to improve the parks,” said Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli, who addressed the crowd while clutching her dog, Zoe Meatball.

There were two marches held simultaneously Saturday, one at Twin Lakes Park in Hempfield, the other at the Murrysville Community Center.

Money from this year’s fundraiser will go to a variety of projects, including extending the Westmoreland Heritage Trail near Murrysville, renovating the Giant Slide at Mammoth Park in Mount Pleasant Township and building new pavilions at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver.

“That is money that goes directly into the parks, to build new dog parks, new slides, to make improvements that you’ll see around this park today,” Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas said.

The county in November approved a $1.3 million deal with Plum Contracting to build the 3.4-mile stretch of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, which will connect Murrysville to Export.

The Giant Slide in Mammoth Park closed last fall in preparation for a $1 million overhaul, including new slides, a new playground and a disc golf course, which are expected to be completed this year.

More than 300 marchers went to Twin Lakes; the count from Murrysville was not immediately available.

“Usually it’s always rainy, and snowy and cold, but we have great weather today and lots of marchers came out,” said Lauren Jones, spokeswoman for Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation.

The Rusnock family and their friends have been marching together since 2009, in memory of Brian Rusnock, who died in 2008 at age 22.

Brian loved music and the outdoors, said his father, Tom Rusnock.

“It’s just a great community fundraiser, the parks do so much for the community, and it’s a great way to honor his memory,” Rusnock said.

“Brian’s Brigade” has become a regular fixture at the marches.

Several years ago the park named the Brian T. Rusnock Amphitheater in their honor.

“It’s brought a lot of peace into our lives,” said Annette Rusnock, Brian’s mom.