Greensburg is still trying to iron out an agreement with Seton Hill Child Services regarding use of a public playground, Mayor Robb Bell said.
“We had agreed to maintain the property and maintain the equipment if our kids could play on it,” he said, adding negotiations will continue.
Bell this week provided an update on the yearlong situation at what is known as the Taylor Street Playground or 8th Ward Playground on property owned by Seton Hill Child Services. City officials are trying to figure out who purchased and installed the playground equipment there. The land is along Belmont Avenue and Turney and King streets.
Signs on a fence outside the Greensburg Early Care and Education Center say the equipment there has been “declared unsafe by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” They warn adults to not let children play on the equipment. It was unclear when the signs were put up. Swings and basketball hoops appear to have been removed.
Belmont Avenue resident Gail Tribble expressed frustration at the situation.
“There’s nothing wrong with the playground,” she said. “I continue to take my grandchildren there.”
Amber Oakes, executive director of Seton Hill Child Services, said productive conversations are ongoing with Greensburg officials.
“We are headed towards an acceptable solution for both parties that is in the best interest of the children and families who utilize the playground,” she said. “We look forward to a continued partnership with the city, as they work with us and our grant regulations for the playground.”
The property was sold to Seton Hill Child Care Services in 1986 by Greensburg Salem School District, according to deed records. The deed requires part of the land be maintained as a public playground. While the deed calls for Seton Hill Child Care Services to convey the playground portion to Greensburg, city officials said that never happened.
“We’re trying to figure out why it never happened so that we can make sure that it does happen,” Bell said.
Greensburg had maintained the playground until about a year ago, he said. After months of talks, city officials thought they had reached an agreement with Seton Hill Child Services to bring before council at the meeting this week.
That changed when Greensburg was asked last week for a $1,400 monthly rent payment, said Bell and administrator Kelsye Hantz.
The playground had been cordoned off by Seton Hill Child Services, but officials there said the barriers had been repeatedly removed. An October 2025 inspection by the state Department of Human Services reported there were several holes in the playground surface that created tripping hazards, according to records reviewed by TribLive. A follow-up report from Nov. 6 indicated the playground “was caution taped off” and not accessible to children.
No issues with the playground were noted during an inspection in February.