West Deer appoints new Parks and Rec board member

West Deer’s Parks and Recreation Board has a new member.

Supervisors unanimously appointed April Gentile to fill the seat previously occupied by Tracy Harrington, who resigned.

The appointment was made during the supervisors October meeting. Gentile was the only person who applied.

“This would be a great position to hold as I truly enjoy our community’s parks,” Gentile wrote in her formal letter of interest to the supervisors. “I believe a community’s parks are the cornerstone of any well established, well-rounded community.”

Gentile will serve out the remainder of Harrington’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2024.

The Parks and Recreation Board was established to help provide recreational opportunities for township residents.

It’s made up of seven people. The other six members are Amy Stark, Arjona Karpuzi, Carol McCaskey, Nina Jonnet, Taite Hopwood and Sara Kreidler.

Board members are responsible for planning, organizing and hosting free recreational events for the community. Those include Community Days, 80s in the Park, and holiday functions such as Trunk-or-Treat and Breakfast with Santa.

Stark previously said the coronavirus pandemic led to the cancellation of some of the board’s planned events, but members were looking to see which ones they could still host with pandemic-related restrictions in place.

“We are pleased to have April as the newest board member and feel that she will be a great addition,” said Amy Stark, board chairwoman. “We do not have any other events planned for 2020, but are hopeful that we will be able to hold more next year.”

In her formal letter, Gentile said she moved to West Deer in 2019.

She grew up in the New Kensington/Lower Burrell area, and is a graduate of Burrell High School and Slippery Rock University.

“I desire to put my free time to good use, and be more involved in my community,” Gentile wrote.

Gentile did not respond to requests for additional comment by press time.