Three years after purchasing 43 acres from Excela Health to build a township park and municipal complex, Hempfield is breaking ground on its $16 million project.
The Weatherwood Community Park and Hempfield Municipal Complex site is off Weatherwood Lane near Route 30 and Mt. Pleasant Road. It has been cleared of trees and brush as construction crews prepare to build a road connecting Spruce Street and Weatherwood Lane, develop stormwater management and install utilities.
Crews will later construct a multipurpose building to house a concession stand, restrooms and storage. The township will allocate about $8.7 million to this phase of the project.
“The funding has now become available for us to move forward,” township Supervisor Doug Weimer said. “It was a few years ago that we had property acquisition, but now we are ready to put a shovel in the ground.”
Slated for 14 acres of the property, Weatherwood Community Park will feature a splash pad, a playground, outdoor fitness and yoga areas, a pavilion, a walking trail and a building for restrooms and concessions.
The municipal complex — which will be completed in tandem with the park — could house fire department headquarters, the Hempfield Emergency Management Agency and ambulance bays in partnership with Mutual Aid. Officials are still planning this portion of the project, township Manager Aaron Siko said.
The township aims to wrap up construction in September 2025.
“I’m just thrilled to see this come alive,” said parks and recreation Director Marissa Haynes. “We’ve had so many talks and conversations about what it could be, and to now see it here is just so exciting.”
Supervisors approved in May bids related to the municipal complex and multipurpose building but rejected the lone bid for a portion of the park project.
Bidding proposals for the park will reopen next month with the goal of awarding a contract at the Aug. 26 supervisors meeting, Siko said.
Weimer said he believes Weatherwood will become a regional park destination.
“It’s nestled right in with the other communities,” he said.
