New Kensington planners approve concept of new downtown playground, garden amid concerns
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New Kensington’s planning commission has approved the concept of a new playground and garden in the city’s downtown area, but some neighbors have concerns about it.
Westmoreland Community Action and Wesley Family Services have proposed building a playground and garden on vacant lots along 10th Street, with Third Avenue running between them.
The project is not yet fully approved, as it still requires further review by the planning commission, which will make a recommendation to city council. Council would give final approval.
Westmoreland Community Action is taking the lead on the project. The land, owned by the city, is behind Wesley’s Pioneer Apartments on Fourth Avenue.
The playground and garden would be open to the public.
The project would be an extension of a tax credit program in New Kensington funded by BNY Mellon and UPMC Health Plan, said Dan Giovannelli, vice president of community investment at Westmoreland Community Action.
“There’s been so much outstanding work in New Kensington in the last 10 years. There’s been tons of new businesses and redevelopment along the business corridor,” Giovannelli said. “This represents a nice opportunity to create more interest and help bring that progress into some of the residential neighborhoods.”
When the concept was presented to the city’s planning commission, city Engineer Tony Males said several residents raised concerns about traffic and safety, including the need for crosswalks and speed humps, noise, parking, lighting and loitering. A concern also was raised about the buffer area between the playground and garden and adjacent houses.
“A lot of them are legitimate,” Males said of the concerns. “You try to put yourself in the position of the residents. If you live in that house next to the park, what would you like to see done?”
The commission acknowledged the residents’ concerns but still approved the concept. The organizations are expected to address concerns when they return to the planning commission for further review.
Males said maintenance of the playground and garden is a key issue that needs to be addressed; that would be a condition in final approval.
“The city’s public works force is stretched to the limit right now,” he said. “Adding another park, they start out really nice but 10 years down the line if they’re not maintained properly, they can go from an asset to a nuisance pretty quickly.”
Giovannelli was not at the planning commission meeting and was not immediately familiar with the concerns raised, but said they would be addressed.
“We want something that fits well and is supported by the community,” he said.
Giovannelli said the plan is for the property to remain owned by a public entity, the city or its redevelopment authority, and not by Westmoreland Community Action. A plan for maintenance would need to be worked out.
If the plan is ultimately approved, Giovannelli said they hope to start construction in the spring.
“We’re excited to be able to support the community and different community organizations. We’ve been doing redevelopment projects in New Ken for six years,” he said. “It’s been cool to be part of the city’s redevelopment. It’s exciting how much progress has been made.”