Two plaques were unveiled June 17 in recognition of former Republican state Rep. Mike Turzai for his work in securing funds to help improve two parks in McCandless.
Turzai was instrumental in acquiring several grants for the McCandless parks, including $300,000 for Vincentian Park and $200,000 for Wall Park through the state Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund, according to McCandless Manager John Schwend.
“On behalf of town council, staff and the residents of McCandless, I want to thank Mr. Turzai for his commitment to enhancing the youth sports and park system in McCandless. We appreciate his passion to help improve the experience for everyone who uses both of these parks,” Schwend said.
Town officials, community members and Turzai’s family and friends gathered first at Wall Park on Sloop Road to recognize the fundraising efforts of the McCandless-based former legislator.
“The Town of McCandless has just been a beautiful community,” Turzai said. “I’m so honored.”
The inscription of the commemorative plaque secured on the pavilion at Wall Park is there to “recognize and thank Mike Turzai, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, who organized, secured grant funding and collaborated with the Ingomar Franklin Park Little League to lead the effort to make necessary improvements and upgrades to Wall Park in the Town of McCandless.”
“We’re here to recognize former Speaker of House Mike Turzai on his diligence, his hard work and his care for his constituency and the youth of our community,” said Joe Wall, a McCandless council member.
Turzai was a member of the House, 28th Legislative District, representing part of Allegheny County, from 2001 to 2020, according to the House Speaker biographies on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives website.
The park off Sloop Road was named after Wall’s father, who served North Allegheny School District in several capacities from 1954 to 1985, including as an English teacher, in the athletic department and as a principal, according to Wall.
A plaque also was unveiled that day at Vincentian Park off Peebles Road for Turzai’s “initiating, organizing and securing grant funding to lead the effort to make necessary improvements and upgrades to Vincentian Fields in McCandless.”
Turzai thanked the teamwork of McCandless Council President Trish Cloonan, Wall and fellow council members, as well as Manager John Schwend, Assistant Manager Katie Stringent and Parks and Recreation Director Abby Lucostic, among others.
His former district director, Sara Bresnahan-Kennedy, who also is a McCandless resident, and his former legislative staffer Joe Weidner, attended the unveiling. Both also worked on improving the parks while working for Turzai.
Turzai and wife Lidia’s three sons all played at the ball fields, two of whom attended North Allegheny. His middle son, Stephen, attended Vincentian Academy and was at the unveiling.
One project included extending the fields and outfield wall at the Vincentian Park, Turzai said.
“I knew I could secure money from that state (fund). I worked with the McCandless Athletic Association and came up with a joint vision,” Turzai said. “It really was a great effort.”
Jeff Trettel, MCAA past president and manager for the MCAA, was at the Vincentian Park unveiling with MCAA President Bob Lucas.
“We want to thank everyone from the town, too. It keeps getting better and growing,” Trettel said.
“It means so much that the Town of McCandless would take the time to do this on my behalf. It was a dream that we had a vision for, and we had many meetings. But we kept moving forward,” Turzai said.
He noted the “wonderful job” that current Democrat state Rep. Arvind Venkat is now doing in his former role.