Sharpsburg forms new parks and recreation commission
Share this post:
Sharpsburg officials have appointed a group of residents dedicated to coordinating and promoting borough recreational opportunities.
The first parks and recreation commission was formed at the July 28 council meeting.
Members include junior council member Roman Mason, family physician Dr. Paul Brayer, former councilman and Linden Gym director Greg Domian, Sharpsburg Business Group founding board member Anne Lopez, lifelong resident Donna Bishop, mixed media artist Megan Mooney, life coach Mallory Helbling and volunteer Kaitlyn Ballard.
A majority of its members were sworn in that evening by Mayor Brittany Reno. Those who were unable to attend the meeting will be sworn in at a later date.
Creation of the commission was spearheaded by Councilwoman Carrie Tongarm.
She said the eight members were selected out of 10 candidates.
“Everybody was terrific, and everybody had really different perspectives, really good energy,” Tongarm said. “They were excited about different things. Some people were excited about just being outdoors and finding ways to get people outdoors. Some people were very excited about specific uses of the parks. There was a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of really good investment. They were all really invested in making the community better through parks and recreation.”
The commission is mostly a recommending body similar to a planning commission or a historic review commission.
It can suggest park improvements, set a fee schedule and operating budget to be approved by council.
Sharpburg’s PRC can also plan recreational programs for residents and visitors, as well as supervise and schedule recreational events.
It will eventually hold monthly public meetings once its bylaws and leadership structure is in place.
Roman is a Fox Chapel Area High School senior and president of student council. He was appointed as a junior council member in June.
He said he was excited about the new opportunity to be on the commission.
“It just fit right with everything I was doing,” Roman said. “It was perfect timing. Everybody on the commission lives here and we get to see the parks.”
The young politician has already lobbied for the lights to come on at the basketball court and ball fields at Kennedy Park, and proposed a skate park on PennDOT-owned land under the 62nd Street Bridge.
Both projects are still in discussions with related officials. No action is expected anytime soon.
Mooney, a transplant from New Jersey, had just moved to Sharpsburg in July. She’s an artist who specializes in linoleum printing.
Mooney said after being sworn in that she loves the borough and wanted to help her new town.
“It is very exciting, especially being new in the community,” Mooney said. “It’s nice to be included. It’s a pretty great community so far. I’m pretty passionate about preserving outdoor space and also accessibility. It seemed like a great opportunity to get involved.”
Council had been working on forming the commission for months with efforts including creating an ordinance to formal interviews and informal discussions with interested parties.
“We chose a good blend of lifelong residents to recent transplants, each of whom bring their own unique perspective and passion for parks and recreation,” Tongarm. “We have artists, a physician, retired individuals, folks with experience in community organizing and web design. There are so many skill sets and talents in the mix.
“I can not wait to see what this group is able to accomplish. I know a fall festival in Kennedy Park will be on the agenda as well as some ideas for master planning of all of the recreation spaces in town. This is an exciting time for Sharpsburg and this commission is one more thing for people to get excited about.”