Still-closed playgrounds at Vandergrift parks vex kids and grownups alike

With the playgrounds in Vandergrift’s two parks yet to open this year, some residents are petitioning borough officials to take off the padlocks and let people in.

Vandergrift resident and business owner Chloe Kruse created an online petition on Change.org about a month ago, asking borough officials to open the fenced-in playgrounds, which are generally available by this time in the spring. She presented it to council earlier this month. As of Wednesday, more than 125 signatures have been tallied.

At council’s meeting April 4, borough officials announced a reopening date of April 30.

On Tuesday, Vandergrift councilman and parks committee member John Uskuraitis cited uncooperative weather conditions as a reason for not opening the facilities.

He said the ground in both playgrounds remains soft because of rainfall, some park equipment needs to be repaired and painted, and dirt needs to be spread and grass seed planted.

Christie Brooks, 35, moved from Washington Township to Vandergrift in January with her family of six.

“I’m irritated,” she said. “I have to drive to Kunkle Park in Washington Township for my kids to play in a park.”

She said Franklin Park is like an unofficial backyard because of its proximity to their house.

“My 3-year-old son cries every time he sees the playground because it’s locked and he can’t go in,” Brooks said.

Brooks said she twice called the borough office to ask about the status of the play areas. In the first call, she said she wasn’t given a specific reason for the closure. During the second call, Brooks said, she was told they needed to be “unwinterized.”

Kruse provided examples of past opening dates, with Franklin Park opening by April 6 in 2019 and March 13 in 2021.

Kruse owns and operates The Center on Franklin Avenue in Vandergrift, located in the former Trinity United Presbyterian Church. A Head Start program occupies the lower level of the building.

“Postponing the opening date of the play areas is detrimental to Head Start, my programs and the children in our community,” Kruse said. “My stance on the importance of outdoor time for children has always been one of my main things.”

Kiski Area Head Start teacher Misty Sproull said that as a Keystone four-star accredited center, the newly opened Head Start at The Center on Franklin Avenue requires an outdoor play space.

“It’s very disappointing to have these two beautiful playgrounds” and not be able to use them, said Sproull, a lifelong Vandergrift resident. “My higher-ups are eager to have these kids use the playground, and we want to see them open.”

Vandergrift officials have set a boroughwide spring cleanup date of April 30, but details on the event weren’t available on the borough’s website.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

The locked playground area of Kennedy Park in Vandergrift.

Gloria Higgins, 31, relocated to Vandergrift from Greensburg several years ago. With three young children, she has signed the petition. She said her husband is among those who have called the borough office inquiring about when the park would open.

“If things need to be fixed, we’ll volunteer. We’re happy to help,” said Higgins, adding that her husband is a plumber. “I recently saw a girl run up hoping to play in the park, and then it was locked and I saw the disappointment on her face.”