Spring opening for Clarion playground expected

Work at the park took off in earnest during summer.

There have been some unexpected developments, but “the surprises are pretty much past us,” said Miles, who explained there was contaminated soil to remove and a little more ground leveling needed than had been expected.

And, since the early days of planning, prices of some of the items needed for the park have increased significantly.

Committee member Jessica Funk noted the playground equipment, originally estimated to cost about $66,000, will now cost about $160,000.

“We want to get on that, though,” Miles said. “We need to buy things as soon as we can. We can get them in now and store them.”

Eric Funk said the playground equipment is the key part of getting the park open to the public.

“We don’t want to minimize the playground,” he said.

Miles said after the playground equipment is set next spring and opens for use, work will begin on basketball and tennis courts.

The park design allows for a playground with a capacity of 150 kids along with a large green space area for outdoor activities, a beach volleyball court and a presentation stand.

The playground, green space, presentation stand and volleyball court occupy half the park. Of the remaining land, half will feature two tennis and pickleball courts, with the ability to convert to volleyball courts, as well as two basketball courts.

One end will have a splash pad installed, an area where water shoots upward to allow water play. The other end will have shuffleboard courts and life-sized chess and checkers areas.

In between the splash pad and the shuffleboard will be a multifunctional section.

Between the green area and the middle section of the park will be a building called the “ice house,” which will house public restrooms and a concessions area, and support a winter ice-skating rink outdoors.

Funding

Eric Funk explained to committee members in attendance — Miles, Jessica Funk, Tom McConnell, Jim Crooks, Janice Horn, Brenda Dede and Sarah MacBeth (via telephone) — that additional funding for the park project is anticipated soon and Blueprint will launch a fundraising campaign next year.

One of the funding streams for the park is the state’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

To qualify, a project must serve distressed areas or support neighborhood conservation. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training or neighborhood assistance.

Working through the Department of Community and Economic Development, the program allows businesses to donate money to Blueprint and receive a 75% tax credit for their donations. If a business were to donate $1,000, it would receive a $750 tax credit from the state.

Through this program, Blueprint raised $447,000 in 2020.

To qualify for the program, long-term collaborations (five years or more) of business, government and community leaders to produce a comprehensive, asset-based and relationship-driven approach to community development must be shown.

Eric Funk said believes the funding could be in the neighborhood of $511,000 next year.

Jessica Funk said a Greenways grant and a 15% required match, which has been pledged by an anonymous donor, will bring in an additional $280,000.

Blueprint is also seeking a “local share account” grant through the state Department of Economic Development.

Eric Funk said Blueprint is asking for $892,000. He said there has been no word on the grants, which are expected to be awarded before Gov. Tom Wolf leaves office in January. Local share account grants are funded by gambling revenues.

Eric Funk said all of the money will be needed to complete the park as envisioned.

“Everything that has been done so far (at the park) has been top quality,” he said.

Dede, committee chair, said private donations from individuals and businesses might be less than the bigger grants the park has received, but are just as important.

“Please consider donating to the park project,” Dede said, addressing the public. “This really will be a community effort and a community park.”