Greensburg council this week approved a tentative agreement with Seton Hill Child Services that would clear the way for a public playground to be maintained into the future.
The agreement calls for Greensburg to pitch in $7,800 for the purchase of rubberized mulch and maintain the grass, swing set and basketball courts, said solicitor Zachary Kansler. If approved by Seton Hill Child Services, the nonprofit would be responsible for maintaining the playground equipment and splitting the mulch cost, he said.
Mayor Robb Bell said the city intends to put the swings and basketball hoops back up.
“I’m happy we could get it done for the kids up in that neighborhood,” he said.
Greensburg has been working with Seton Hill Child Services for about a year to iron out an agreement regarding use of what is known as the Taylor Street Playground, or 8th Ward Playground. The land is along Belmont Avenue and Turney and King streets on property owned by Seton Hill Child Services.
Signs put up on a fence at the playground outside the Greensburg Early Care and Education Center said the equipment there had been “declared unsafe by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” They warned adults to not let children play on the equipment.
It was unclear if Seton Hill Child Services’ board of directors had approved the agreement or when they would meet next. Executive director Amber Oakes said the board continues to work collaboratively with the city to identify a solution.
“Due to the unique configuration of the playground property and shared use of space, several technical and logistical considerations must be carefully evaluated,” she said. “Our agency remains committed to this process and is working diligently with the city to develop a thoughtful and sustainable resolution.”
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.
The playground had been cordoned off in the past 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.