Canonsburg to make road, park improvements
Editor’s note: This story was edited to reflect that council will discuss a list of projects at its Monday agenda meeting.
CANONSBURG – Visitors to Canonsburg Town Park can expect to see a few improvements to the 50-acre oasis this summer.
Paved roads, a new basketball court and Wi-Fi are some amenities planned, afforded, in part, by funds from Act 13 natural gas-drilling impact fees and local share account gambling revenue.
According to borough manager Bob Kipp, about $200,000 will be used to pave roads within the park, and bout $50,000 will be spent on the basketball court, to be built near the existing court and featuring a handicap-accessible parking space and path. Road signs providing a clear direction to the park will be purchased with money from Slovenian Savings & Loan as a part of the Community Reinvestment Act.
“The park is the crown jewel of the borough,” Kipp said. “It’s a great place for both passive and active recreation.”
Other less-visible improvements include wireless Internet access and the ability to buy pool passes online.
Kipp stressed the importance of up-to-date amenities in drawing new residents, citing the appeal of nearby prosperous communities like McMurray and Peters Township.
“We have to be marketable … for new families,” he said.
While some park roads already were paved, the remainder of the work “will hopefully be done by midsummer,” Kipp said.
If that deadline isn’t possible, construction probably will be delayed until after the busy pool season.
Like the park, borough roads will get a face lift. Plans are under way for work on Cavasina Drive, home to numerous fast-food restaurants that lure motorists from nearby Interstate 79, including pavement and stormwater management improvements.
“That corridor road is in poor shape,” said council Vice President Rich Russo, a proponent of funding Canonsburg’s infrastructure. “We can put money into a lot of things around Canonsburg, but why would we without a good foundation?”
Council members will discuss a list of priority roads within their wards at the agenda meeting Monday. They will then vote on which roads to improve at their April 13 meeting, Kipp said, giving precedence to those most heavily traveled and are in the worst shape.