Clarion’s Second Avenue Park is well under way but there is some doubt as to who will actually operate the park.
Jim Crooks, owner of F.L. Crooks & Co., and a member of the Clarion Blueprint Community spoke at the Clarion Borough Council meeting Jan. 3 and said there has been some discussion about the management of the new park.
“We are beginning to think about that,” Crooks told the council. “It is up in the air. The Blueprint committee can’t operate it. Perhaps the borough, county, the (PennWest Clarion) university or the YMCA would be interested.”
“One thing is certain,” said Crooks, “It will have an impact on the community.”
It was announced in December of 2021 that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development had awarded Clarion County Adventures $590,000 for the Second Avenue Park Project. Funds were secured from the same source the previous year to cover the costs of Phase I, which involved engineering and design work as well as infrastructure work on the site.
Clarion County Adventures LLC. was formed under The Children’s Scholarship Fund of PA, Clarion County Adventures aims to “bring families together through opportunities to learn and enjoy the scenic outdoors.”
The Second Avenue Park project was awarded the grant under the Special Priorities Program branch of the Neighborhood Assistance Program. This program targets specific problems and priorities in distressed areas as determined by the state.
Phase II will cover such things as paving, sidewalks, lighting, and playground equipment. Future phases of construction include a splash pad/ice rink, sports courts, outdoor games, ADA-compliant restrooms, and water fountains.
Developed by FHL Bank Pittsburgh, the Blueprint Communities initiative was created with the goals of building strong local leadership, developing local and regional planning skills, and encouraging coordinated investments in targeted communities by public and private funders. Clarion has been a Blueprint Community since 2014.
In keeping with past practices, the Clarion Borough Council approved a Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) in the amount of $300,000 from the First United Bank. The note has an interest rate of 5.25 percent, an increase from last year’s 1.95 percent rate. Lapinto said the TAN is for emergencies and was not used at all last year. The borough would pay interest only on the amount actually used by the borough.
Prior to the council meeting a public hearing was held regarding the renewal of a franchise agreement with Comcast. During the meeting the resolution was unanimously approved.
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2023-841 amending certain provisions of the Rental Property Ordinance to include short-term rentals. Those rentals must now be licensed and inspected.
Crooks also reported for the Destination Clarion Downtown project. He said downtown looked “amazing” and he thanked the borough’s department of public works for the Main Street ornaments, the V.F.W. and American Legion for the trees in the park and the borough for the free parking during the holiday season.
Council member Ben Aaron said the Storm Water Authority will meet in the Clarion Free Library on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. He said the authority has an open seat and is seeking a volunteer.
Lapinto extended her thanks to the emergency responders, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and the police for their efforts during the frigid Christmas holiday.
Clarion Mayor Jennifer Fulmer Vinson reported for the Library Board that advertisements for a new Library Director had been circulated.