Wrestlers take down drainage problems at Lower Burrell's Kotecki Park

Sometimes there are not-so-glamorous aspects of beauty that make ethereal places such as parks special.

But mud and drainage issues can dash anyone’s dreams for a public space. Such was the case in planning for a dog park at Kotecki Park in Lower Burrell, where planning and the brawn of an army of wrestlers was needed last month.

Dylan Davis of Lower Burrell’s Mat Factory was looking for a “labor-intensive community service” project for the Burrell Bucs and other wrestlers, according to Lower Burrell Councilman Chris Koziarski.

Koziarski, who heads up the city’s parks department, has been working to create a dog park in Kotecki Park.

“I thought a perfect area would be in the center of the extended walking trail,” he said. “It would be a nice centerpiece for walkers and joggers and would also be separated a bit from any neighbors in the case of barking dogs.”

But it had two dry creeks that occasionally got wet and soaked the walking trail and surrounding land.

“My plan was to go with the dog park in between the creeks with a fenced area,” Koziarski said.

The first step was to not only clean up the appearance of the dry creek, but to direct the water from heavy rains with strategic stone placement at the existing creek, he said.

Sounds like a great job for a team of wrestlers.

Koziarski consulted with Public Works and Parks Director Jeff Fleming.

“Jeff took the lead with preparation of the area, delivery of the rock, discussions, and coordination with Coach Davis,” Koziarski said.

Last month, about 14 wrestlers showed up from Lower Burrell, Valley, Plum, Kiski Area and Knoch, according to Koziarski.

“There is more work to be done for the dog park,” Koziarski said, “and I hope the next administration sees it through for the benefit of the local and surrounding community.”