Rosedale park in Penn Hills rededicated, past fire chiefs honored
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The memories of two past Penn Hills fire chiefs will live on in a park behind their old fire station.
Penn Hills officials, firefighters, community members and guests came out for the rededication of the park behind the Rosedale fire station on Sept. 10.
Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department Memorial Park.
“It’s had many assumed names (and) now it has an actual name,” Fire Capt. Chris Hendershot said. “The whole point was to keep the memory of those who served the community and have it be a staple there.”
Rosedale VFD, also known as Penn Hills VFD Station 222, is located at 5806 Verona Road. It owns the lot and the park behind the station.
Wooden plaques were installed on the two pavilions with the emblazoned names of Joseph “Mickey ” O’Connor and Lee Hendershot. Both lived in Penn Hills.
O’Connor joined Rosedale in 1964 and served Rosedale for nearly 58 years. He died last year at age 79.
Lee Hendershot, Chris’ father, joined Rosedale in 1974 and served for 40 years. He died in 2014 at age 60.
“It’s an honor to be here and be able to have a tribute to them for the time that they put into the department,” Chief David Sanford said. “They were both dedicated lifelong volunteers to the fire service (and) to the community. The hope is as we go one we’ll be able to honor other past chiefs or past members.”
Part of Community Day
The ceremony was also part of the station’s first Community Day.
There were food trucks, a children’s obstacle course and music. The Monroeville Volunteer Fire Department lent its mobile Fire Prevention Safety House so people can learn more about what to do in case a fire breaks out in a home.
The Humane Animal Rescue Wildlife Rehabilitation Center brought animals, including a turtle.
“The station’s motto is ‘Neighbor helping neighbor,’” Hendershot said. “We were trying to do something to involve the community and (let them) see what we do and see where their donation funds go toward, and our equipment our capabilities and positive interaction.”
The park’s revitalization continues in large part due to the Rosedale Civic Association.
Formed in 2020, the association committed itself to restoring the recreation site to its former glory.
Association president Jon Petrucci said the estimated total cost is $150,000.
The association was able to secure a $12,000 grant through the state Department of Conservation as well as $3,000 from the Buncher Corp. It also does several fundraisers such as carnivals and Night at the Races.
The association paid for a fence, the stone wall at the front of the park and other related upgrades. The next phase includes a walking trail and the construction of another pavilion with a stage, which is estimated to cost $50,000.
The Penn Hills Community Development Corp. applied for a $25,000 grant through S&T Bank on behalf of the Rosedale Civic Association. Those funds would go toward the stage project if the grant is approved later this year.
Petrucci said he and other association members grew up in Rosedale and want to see the park thrive.
“This is a special project for us and it has a lot of meaning,” Petrucci said. “We’ve seen that park at its highest. It was like the nucleus of Rosedale. Over the years, because of people getting older and a lot of things happened, it was kind of let go. Now’s the time in our lives that we’re going to put 110% into that park and make it look like something it was 20 to 30 years ago. Bring it all back, and people are loving it.
“To see what has happened between 2020 and now is unbelievable. … We’re all working together toward a common goal.”
The Petrucci Foundation, formed by the passing of John’s uncle Nick, gave $50,000 to pave the parking lot. About $18,000 is still needed for that project.
The last band to play in the park was The Charlie Daniels Band in the 1990s. The Temptations also performed on its stage, which was demolished within the past couple of years.
The park’s entrance was fixed up in September 2020 as part of an Eagle Scout project.
The Rosedale Civic Association’s next park fundraiser is a Night at the Races at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Oakmont Elks, 106 Washington Ave. in Oakmont.
Tickets are $15 and include a buffet dinner. Call 412-418-9235 or go to the association’s Facebook page for more information.