Open house for proposed Hempfield parks set for September

Hempfield residents again will have an opportunity to view conceptual plans for two proposed parks.

A public meeting is scheduled Sept. 16, when community members can view plans for parks slated for Walden Court Drive and at a property along Route 136 near Hempfield Area High School. Township staff and officials with Mackin Engineering, who designed the project, will be available to answer questions.

The $5.2 million project, which was announced last year, could bring new walking trails, sports fields and playgrounds to the area. Aaron Siko, Hempfield’s director of parks and recreation, noted the plans are not a commitment to build; rather, they are a way to see if the sites are feasible for development and to look at what could be built.

The almost 4-acre Walden Court property, which is close to West Hempfield Elementary School, could consist of wetlands, play areas and pathways. The wetlands area, which will work as stormwater control, will be in the middle of the lot. Raised platforms and walkways will connect to a perimeter walkway.

Three passive play areas with pavilions and picnic areas, along with “nature-based” play activities, are shown in initial plans.

The 17-acre parcel along Route 136 could house sports courts, exercise trails and areas for playing and biking.

“It is a sizable project that is broken out into three mostly equal phases,” Siko said.

Township Supervisor Rob Ritson noted that while each phase has its own estimated costs, those will be buffered through donors and grants. Siko added that if officials move forward with the project, they will first seek private-public partnerships and conduct fundraising efforts to help cover the costs of construction.

The master site plan open house will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the municipal building, 1132 Woodward Drive. The event will be informal. Attendees will be able to view display boards and speak with staff. A question-and-answer session will close the event.

Siko also will host a Facebook Live presentation at 7 p.m. Sept. 17. The event will offer an overview of the project.