Work begins on comprehensive plan for Greensburg's parks and recreation department

Greensburg’s parks and recreation department will soon have a comprehensive plan to help guide various aspects like programs and renovations over the next several years.

Work on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan began in December, said Lydia Kinkaid, the city’s recreation program manager. The document will be able to stand on its own, but will also work alongside the city’s comprehensive plan, which is currently being updated.

“We do not currently have any guiding documents, so we are hoping this will help us and city officials to make sound decisions concerning the recreation department moving forward,” Kinkaid said about the parks and recreation plan.

The city of Greensburg has several parks, including St. Clair Park and Thomas Lynch Field Complex, featuring the Kirk S. Nevin Arena and Veteran’s Memorial Pool. There are also nine playgrounds scattered throughout the city, including Spring Avenue Park, which city leaders are planning to renovate.

The parks and recreation plan is being funded through a $70,000 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant awarded in 2020.

According to Kinkaid, city recreation staff has been working on the project since early December.

Advisory committee meetings began this month to work on things not covered in the regular comprehensive plan meeting, including certain requirements from DCNR.

Work on the city’s comprehensive plan began largely in July when council members decided to update the 14-year-old plan that will guide decision-making and development through the year 2040. By September, officials hired Pittsburgh-based Environmental Planning and Design as a consultant.

Overall, the plan will focus on several key elements, including fighting blight, parks and recreation and citywide systems. The comprehensive plan also will adopt a neighborhood-based approach that includes strategies for improving the quality of neighborhoods with citywide initiatives.

Officials last week launched the website, shapegreensburg.com, where community members can be apprised of ongoing efforts and give public input.

The final plan is expected to be adopted by city council in December.