- Last Updated on Sunday, 01 June 2014 02:05
The purpose of this plan is to keep the North Belle Vernon Graham Street Park practical for the Borough to maintain upkeep costs and open the park to an increased variety of people of all ages by adding more attractions, lessening the vandalism, and combating the use of drugs at the park, thus keeping it safe for our public to enjoy without fear of the criminal element.
Note the following major cost issues:
· The Tennis courts are in a crumbling state of order and are used very lightly to play tennis.
· The Basketball courts have a gap at midcourt that presents a high possibility of someone getting injured and suing the Borough.
· In the past five years, it is roughly calculated that both basketball rims have been up and in operation for 5 of the 30 months that the courts can be used. This time period is calculated from April - September.
· The high fence of the tennis courts facing Interstate 70 presents a safety hazard to the general public walking the walking trail. Pipes are completely rusted through, the fence is falling in, and the fence itself has jagged edges.
· The children's play area needs an overhaula -a new French drain system, new playground equipment and a safety-certified synthetic turf base should be put in to allow free access for wheelchairs and other means of movement for the disabled.
The plan to address these issues is as follows:
· Tennis courts - Remove both tennis courts and make this a complete synthetic turf youth and adult 3V3 soccer area. A sports graphic safety wall padding 54" high will be placed on the new chain link fence that will surround the soccer field.
· Basketball courts - Noting that we barely have two rims up, eliminate half the basketball court and leave a one-rim play area. With the other half, we can extend the blacktop towards the volleyball nets and have a regular Inline/Dek hockey sized rink for the kids to enjoy. Some fence will need to be added to parts of the play areas to separate the two and keep the hockey ball/puck in play. A special sports graphic wall padding will be put into place to create a safety padding. Boards will not be used.
· High Fence - This fence will be replaced with all new 20' high chain link fence. Also, new 12' high fence will be placed around the inline/Dek hockey court to insure the safety of all passersby as they make their way around the park.
· Children's Play Area - The new children's playground equipment will focus on playground attractions that focus on fun while combating obesity. It will have a padded synthetic turf base rated for 12' falls to allow wheel chairs or other ADA-assisted safe and free movement in the children's play area.
Proposed funding for the plan is as follows:
· This $350,000 project is being funded via special sponsors whose names will appear on the sports graphic wall padding that will encircle both the soccer field and inline/Dek hockey court. The proposal will be $15,000 for a 10-year sponsorship advertising. Also, a 4x8' sign will be erected in the park and the company's name will be on it facing Interstate 70.
· Lesser sponsors of $7,500 for 5 years and $5,000 for 3 years will also be sought out. They will also receive special sponsorship signage within the park, but not on the wall padding that is reserved for our two title sponsors.
· Fundraising will be done via the North Belle Vernon parks and recreation commission.
· Monies will be sought from foundations.
· Small signage for $2,500/3 years will also be recruited.
· Material donations will be looked for and special advertising will be provided to these companies based on the monetary value of their donations.
· A DCNR grant has been submitted and it is a dollar/dollar match with all monies, material donations, and hourly volunteer help. It is our goal to raise $160,000 to have this matched by the DCNR.
