Leetsdale considering major renovations to Henle Park

Leetsdale officials plan to leverage state and Allegheny County funds to make upgrades to a popular borough park.

Henle Park is in line for a number of improvements, including a multi-sport court, Americans with Disabilities Act compliant sidewalks, playground equipment, landscaping and other improvements.

Plans are in the design phase as the borough steadily works to acquire money for the estimated $500,000 overhaul.

State Rep. Valerie Gaydos, R-Allegheny, helped push for a $249,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant for Leetsdale’s recreation upgrades.

It was awarded in November as part of a nearly $324,000 distribution through the department’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

However, funds are not in borough coffers as of this month.

There is a required local match of about $251,000 in order to receive the state grant.

“We’re going to be leveraging the local share with numerous other grants, so the outcome is going to be zero (tax dollars) for the borough,” Leetsdale engineer Dan Slagle said.

Leetsdale has three years to use the DCNR funds.

Other funding sources being sought to cover Leetsdale’s match include Allegheny County Department of Economic Development. Those funds, should county grants be awarded, would be administered through the Quaker Valley Council of Governments.

The hope is to receive responses to grant applications in April or May.

“By summer or early fall we should have all of our ducks in a row,” Slagle said.

Meanwhile, a meeting is set for March 7 with borough and DCNR officials to further discuss park plans and funding.

“They’re going to tell me how fast I can move (on these upgrades) and how long it’s going to take to get the agreements in place,” Slagle said. “There’s a lot of red tape.”

Council President Maria Napolitano will be involved in those discussions.

She has been instrumental in seeking grants and assisting with projects in all borough recreation sites.

“Henle Park is the heart of Leetsdale,” Napolitano said Feb. 6. “It’s the jewel of our community. It has over 90 arboretum-quality trees. It’s rare to see that many trees (in a park) growing together. It’s also the place for many community events.”

The park is home to the borough’s Easter Egg hunt as well as the Fourth of July celebration.

It’s also used by other organizations for summer camp programs in large part due to the free splash pad.

Recreational upgrades were among the highlights of the borough’s comprehensive plan. Henle Park plans have been in development for about a year.

Closer look at park plans

A new sidewalk from the war memorial along Ferry Street to the basketball courts is expected to make the park more accessible and pedestrian friendly.

An ADA parking pad was installed by the memorial last year.

The basketball court will be redeveloped to also accommodate pickleball.

Additional trees and landscaping will be planted at Henle Park for beautification and stormwater management.

Part of the proposed landscaping area is currently occupied by swings.

There are two playgrounds in the park. One is for children from 2 to 5 years old and another for ages 5 to 12.

Swings will be relocated closer to the 5-12 playground, which will have its equipment replaced and be moved closer toward the basketball court.

The playground for 2- to 5-year-olds is expected to be replaced with a new playground in the same location.

That area is being redeveloped through a $53,000 Community Economic Assistance Program grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

That grant was secured with help from state Sen. Delvin Robinson, R-Bridgeville.

Napolitano said the Henle Park project would not be possible without the help of state legislators.

“We are very excited about this,” Napolitano said.

Architectural drawings are expected to be released sometime in March.

“We’re very confident that the project is moving on schedule,” Slagle said. “What’s being proposed and fronted by the borough and the grant agencies is going to totally remake Henle Park. It’s going to be beautiful.“