The Clarion County Board of Commissioners May 25 signed a letter of support on behalf of the Clarion Blueprint Community for a for a multigenerational community park and playground along Second Avenue in Clarion Borough.
Clarion Blueprint is seeking a Greenways, Trails and Recreation program grant to the park project.
According to a press release from the Blueprint Committee, “Phase one of the park project is expected to begin at the end of the summer. Infrastructure and site development work will be the first step in bringing the park to Clarion.
The park will be owned and operated by Clarion Blueprint Community.
According to the press release, Clarion Blueprint was instrumental in bringing both Clarion River Brewing Company and Regency Commons, the new senior living facility operated by Clarion County Housing Authority, to Clarion.
As a designated Blueprint Community, Clarion has access to certain funding and assistance that other local communities do not.
University Korner support
Clarion Blueprint Community also recently announced a partnership with University Korner, a Clarion-based convenience store and gas station chain, to help fund the park project.
University Korner has agreed to donate one cent per gallon of gas sold from their Knox location, located at the corner of state routes 208 and 338.
University Korner will be providing Clarion Blueprint Community with a monthly check for the donations. The donation will help fund the creation of the park and once the park is built, it will help to fund ongoing maintenance and bills associated with the park.
Yasir Bhatti and his family established the University Korner franchise in 2009. UK now has nine locations throughout Western Pennsylvania with plans to expand to even more locations.
The penny a-gallon program is established at several other locations, supporting various community projects and organizations.
While the Second Avenue Park project is the main focus of the organization at the moment, Clarion Blueprint is also exploring other projects in the area.