Survey gives Vandergrift residents opportunity to weigh in on borough issues, set priorities

Vandergrift officials and volunteers are seeking public input as they work to create a new outdoor community initiative for the borough.

The Vandergrift Community Improvement Project (VCIP) is a new group formed this year specifically to finalize and produce a survey for the public to weigh in on what’s important to them in the Vandergrift community.

Councilwoman Marilee Kessler spearheaded the group’s formation.

She said the survey has been created as a part of One Community — Many Generations, an online community planning platform to foster age-inclusive, livable communities and action plans.

Although anyone can log in to complete the survey, Vandergrift residents are preferred, Kessler said.

The survey will be available online for several weeks and can be accessed here.

Paper copies of the survey will be available starting Saturday at the Senior Center in East Vandergrift, the senior high-rise apartments in Vandergrift, G&G Restaurant and Vandergrift Elementary School.

“This is Vandergrift’s opportunity to let us know what’s important to them, and we’re hoping to have input from all generations,” said Vandergrift resident and VCIP volunteer Katie Vance.

Other community members volunteering alongside Kessler and Vance with VCIP include councilwoman Daisha Clayton, John Turack, Dante Cellitti, Chris Kakais, Vanessa Groholski and Lisa Dormire.

Vance said the One Community — Many Generations program unites several organizations including the Vandergrift Improvement Program, Penn State Extension Smart Growth Initiative, Vandergrift Parent Project and the Vandergrift Community Garden.

The survey includes questions related to the downtown/business corridor along Grant Avenue, Franklin and Kennedy parks, engagement opportunities, diversity, community services, housing, transportation and community perception.

Vance said results from the survey will help organizers prioritize the needs of the community.

“It’s an opportunity to create a space that’s not only great for children and older adults but fosters relationships between generations,” Vance said.

John Turack, a community development educator with PennState Extension in Greensburg, said the volunteers are enrolled in the One Community — Many Generations online course launched Feb. 28. It concludes May 23.

The $100 registration fee for each participating community was paid for by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County.

Six communities statewide, including four from Westmoreland County — Greensburg, Scottdale, Murrysville and Vandergrift — are participating.

“It’s about building a place that is welcoming and includes all generations — designing practices that make the community more generational,” Turack said.