Sewickley officials are moving forward with plans to upgrade a pair of borough parks.
Several council members and administrators discussed a new playground project at Maple Lane Park and the pending construction of the borough’s official public pickleball courts in Chadwick Street Park on April 8.
Borough Manager Donna Kaib said they plan to spend about $65,000 to replace the current play structure and mulch the play surface.
Kaib said she was working with Lewisburg-based Playworld vendor to finalize the colors of poles, slides and other pieces and would share the designs once they are completed.
The goal is to have the playground ordered in the next week or two. It’s expected to take at least eight weeks for delivery and installation.
Councilman Tom Rostek, who has been working on park upgrades for months with Kaib and Councilwoman Bridgett Bates, said he is excited about this summer’s possibilities.
“That thing predates me moving to Sewickley, and I’ve been here for 25 years,” Rostek said. “It’s time for new stuff, and we’re excited that we finally get to move on and get some new equipment for the children.”
The borough had installed an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant swing and a new picnic table at the park last year.
About $400,000 was earmarked in this year’s budget for park maintenance and new equipment.
Construction to start on pickleball courts
Another park upgrade expected to begin within weeks is the construction of four new pickleball courts in Chadwick Street Park.
Council voted 7-0 on March 11 to award the work to Palombo Landscaping. Council Vice President Julie Barnes and Rostek were absent.
The company was the lowest of 11 bidders and was recommended by borough engineering firm Gateway Engineers.
Courts will be closed by the end of April for construction.
Other upgrades include a full-size tennis court, new fencing, restructuring of the basketball court and new landscaping by the railroad tracks. The four pickleball courts could also turn into a full-size tennis court.
Borough engineer Mike Galet said the company is expected to start construction by the last week of the month and has about 90 days to complete the work.
Courts could be ready for play by mid-July.
Estimated project cost is $324,000.
It is being partially funded by a $126,000 state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant. The remaining $198,000 will come from borough funds.
Rostek said adding pickleball courts is another example of council listening to residents’ requests.
“(We’re) slowly improving the parks around here one park at a time,” he said. “They are getting the attention they deserve.”
Other park news
Council unanimously voted on April 8 to award the War Memorial Park stream restoration Phase Two project to Ohio-based C. Crump.
The project cost is about $163,300 to improve the upper portion of the stream bank.
Work is expected to begin this summer.
The first phase, involving the lower section of the park, was completed in 2023 at about the same cost.