While zipping past a new Hempfield complex that’s forming along Route 30, it’s hard to tell how much progress has been made.
But on the ground at the burgeoning municipal site between the Mt. Pleasant Road and Cedar Street exits, west of Westmoreland Mall, a park is starting to take shape.
“We were handed a blank canvas back here in 2021 when we purchased this,” Supervisor Bill Bretz said during a tour Monday.
Since that $4 million purchase, township officials have settled on the design for the 43 acres of once-vacant land, acquired millions in grant funding for at least two phases of the project and awarded construction contracts. Ground was broken at Weatherwood Lane in August.
From the outset, officials have said they envision the project to include a park, sports fields and municipal government and services, creating a sort of township headquarters. The first phase of that goal may be realized in September when the park is scheduled to open.
On about 14 acres, the park will include numerous elements: two pavilions, water table, splash pad, natural playground, concession building with bathrooms, shaded outdoor seating, fitness area with multiple pieces of exercise equipment, yoga deck and obstacle course. The shell of the multipurpose building has been erected, as has much of the splash pad and some pieces of exercise equipment.
The $15 million price tag for the first phase includes construction of the park, as well as infrastructure work on the entire site and creation of a parking lot and road that extends Weatherwood Lane, Township Manager Aaron Siko said. The township received $3 million in grants, and the remainder is being paid for through a 2022 general obligation bond.
A second phase, which will include sports fields and a pickleball court, is expected to cost about $5.2 million. Hempfield has received a $2.6 million grant. Township supervisors allocated $1.3 million of a surplus to the project.
Officials said they hope to get that work underway as soon as the park is complete.
Funding is being sought for development of a public works garage, public safety building and community center that would house township offices and other space available to the public, Siko said.
“Until things are funded, they’re conceptual,” Supervisor Doug Weimer said.
There is space at the site designated for those types of buildings. Although the work is being done in phases, Siko said the overall look once completed will be cohesive.
Work on the park has been moving quickly. Marissa Haynes, township parks and recreation director, said she typically visits the site weekly, but there are usually daily off-site tasks to keep up with.
“It’s obviously a huge project that we’re undertaking as a township,” she said.
During the creation of Hempfield’s comprehensive plan in 2023, township residents asked for more recreational space for people of all ages, such as splash pads, turf fields and space for walking, Haynes and Siko said. There will be a walking path around the site and connection to the Five Star Trail from Rugh Street after the realignment of Spruce Street with a $1.76 million state grant.
Those requests led officials to aim for a variety of opportunities at the new park, targeting different age groups and abilities in the elements. The natural playground will have playhouses and areas that mimic tree climbing.
“It’s not your typical playground, it’s more interpretive play,” Haynes said. “It’s helping kids with different types of thinking.”
About 45 trees were transplanted from their original locations into a nursery as the site was cleared. They’ll be replanted along with about 50 new trees. Benches, trash receptacles and water fountains will be added as Haynes is seeking sponsorships and donations to help with the park’s creation.
A strip of land closest to Route 30 will remain a meadow for now. It acts as a buffer between the park and traffic passing on the four-lane highway, Siko said.
“I think this is going to be a remarkable park that you really won’t find anywhere outside of a major metropolitan area,” Weimer said.
The project was designed by H.F. Lenz Co. The contractor for the overall infrastructure work and park is A. Liberoni Inc. Graham Construction & Engineering is building the multipurpose structure.
