The first big event this weekend at Hempfield’s newest park is just the start of a slate of activities planned for the summer, said Marissa Haynes, township parks and recreation director.
Founders Park already has been a busy place with visitors using the workout equipment, play areas, walking path and interactive brook. It’s been gratifying for Haynes to see.
“It shows that we needed it,” she said. “We’re trying to get people to want to be in Hempfield and stay in Hempfield, and these are the assets that are doing that.”
The park opened in the fall, the first phase of work at a 43-acre complex officials have said eventually will include sports fields and municipal government buildings. It is on once-vacant land between the Mt. Pleasant Road and Cedar Street exits on Route 30, west of Westmoreland Mall.
Founders Festival from Friday to Sunday is jam-packed with activities for all ages, including a hot air balloon display and fireworks Saturday evening. Parking is free, and a shuttle will run from the University of Pittsburgh’s Greensburg campus.
“Our intention is for it to be an annual event here,” Haynes said.
Founders Festival will start Friday at dusk with a screening of “Zootopia 2” and food trucks. Saturday’s lineup of events will include kids activities, food trucks, yoga demonstrations, performances, vendors, rubber duck races and the hot air balloon display followed by fireworks.
The event will wrap up Sunday with a 1-mile fun run and yoga sessions.
Supervisor Doug Weimer said he’s excited for the community to see the progress during the festival.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy with the response that I’ve seen in the community with the activity,” he said. “There’s residents of all ages in the park all year … as long as the weather was cooperative.”
“It is a destination in our region for families and that’s what it was intended to be,” he said.
Hempfield bought the land in 2021 for $4 million. The park is on about 14 acres. The $15 million price tag for the first phase includes construction of the park, as well as infrastructure work on the entire site and creation of a parking lot and road that extended Weatherwood Lane. The township received $3 million in grants, and the remainder is being paid for through a 2022 general obligation bond.
The park includes a children’s playground area, splash pad, workout equipment, multipurpose building, obstacle course and yoga deck, among other amenities.
Township manager Aaron Siko said it’s humbling to see visitors there after staff and supervisors have spent years working on the project.
“I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish thus far,” he said.
A ceremonial shovel-turning is planned Saturday morning for the second phase, which will include sports fields and a pickleball court. It is expected to cost about $5.2 million. Hempfield has received a $2.6 million grant. Township supervisors allocated $1.3 million of a surplus to the project.
Haynes said she’s expecting that work to be done in 2028.
Funding is being sought for development of a public works garage, public safety building and community center that would house township offices and other space available to the public.
“We’re looking at the future, too, of what else can be here and how we can make it an asset for the community,” she said.
Founders Festival
^
^
^