Town Park Talk
Jess and Laurie Rigby
It is with a heavy heart that I write this newsletter. One of our long-standing members on both the Park Board and the Friends of the Park, Jess Rigby, passed away last month, and we are all left with a bit of shock and emptiness at his loss. Jess was a kind-hearted man, always willing to help in many volunteer capacities. He was very passionate about our parks and recreations group and worked tirelessly in the development of several key areas. Jess was a huge contributor in the development of our new basketball courts, the new pickle ball courts soon to be breaking ground, the trails and pathways throughout the park and he was looking forward to the design and implementation of a dog park.
Jess was instrumental in getting things done. Working with Jess was an absolute pleasure and we learned a lot from him on the grant writing projects. Jess, Rob Maceiko and myself became a cohesive grant writing team and were just starting to see the accomplishments that were produced. Jess was very excited that we received our first LSA grant for the new pavilion. While we can never replace Jess, I know he would want us to move on in our improvement of the park areas and we will do our best to honor him. Jess had the huge heart of a volunteer. He assisted many other organizations, but I have to think his heart was in the park. Jess will be truly missed.
The clearing around Crosby Drive.
Park Board versus Friends of the Park
There have often been questions about the different organizations that contribute to maintaining and improving the park. We have been asked to outline the differences here and hope this helps with the confusion.
The Park Board is the official advisory group that makes decisions/recommendations about maintenance of the Canonsburg Parks and Recreations. This group meets the first Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m. at the borough building and is open to the public. The recommendations are implemented if small, and on large enhancement projects are forwarded to council for approval. This group oversees all projects in the park and handles any problems that should arise. This group is appointed and individuals must be approved by council before participating. There are term limits in these positions. Members include: Rich Russo, president; Leanna Coyle, secretary; Jess Rigby, Treasurer; Tina Bails, council woman; Lou Gadani, past president; Susan Passante and Terri J Startare, past president.
The Friends of the Park is a volunteer group whose main objective is for improvements and beautification of the park. This group is a 501©3 organization and is the grant writing and donating arm of the Park. This group meets privately and on no regular frequency, only when issues or projects arise. Members include: Terri J Startare, president; Rob Maceiko, vice president,; Jess Rigby, treasurer; Doug McKenery, secretary (now interim treasurer) and new member Tina Wakefield, secretary.
These two groups work together, with the oversite of Canonsburg council, to keep the parks in good shape and resolve any problems/repairs/replacements that arise. For more information, please contact Terri Startare, president of Friends of the Park, to see if one of these volunteer organizations is something you’d like to participate in.
Public Works has been busy getting us ready for the season. They have cleared and created a more appealing area for the dumpster, making it easier for the handicap parking traffic. More is to be done to make this area “park friendly,” but the foundation is complete. Also, the steps and non working fountain and drain at the bottom of the big hill have been removed due to safety and water concerns. This will remain pathways until the ground has settled and the water issues have been resolved. As safety is always our first concern, this area is now free of hazard.
This group has been working very hard to see that our Parks are in good shape and safe for all. Check out the clearing around Crosby Drive – quite a large job – very nicely done.
Our concerts are booked for the summer and we have a great line up for you this year! All concerts start at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 16
The Stemtec Band, smooth jazz ensemble
Sunday, July 14
House of Soul Funky, sounds of the ’70s and ’80s
Sunday, August 11
Jackson Gardner, singer/songwriter best of country rock
Dog Park
We have many people who have expressed an interest in creating a dog park. We have several ideas and are looking to implement this project in the not to distant future. If you would like to be involved or volunteer, please contact us on our Facebook page.
Camp splash will be starting soon, please visit the borough’s website for information on dates, times, costs and how to enroll.
CMYGSA at Town Park
Did you know that CMYGSA (Canon McMillan Youth Girl’s Softball Association) uses both the Galbraith and Loutsion Ball Fields at Town Park?
This year welcomes a new CMYGSA president, JP Sanders, who has jumped right in and is busy fundraising, along with making some needed improvements to the fields this year – working on repairing the drainage issues and adding dugouts on the lower field are just a few of the current projects he’s spearheading. A great guy with passion and positivity, CMYGSA is fortunate to have JP as its president. We wish the previous president Kevin Bickmeier the very best and thank him for all that he did over the four years that he was association president.
Come to Town Park to see a game this spring, and support the CMYGSA.
CTP logo
The Park Board is looking to get our name out there and in doing so we have been trying to come up with a logo for the park. Look for CTP – Canonsburg Town Park – to be on hats, towels, signage, key chains, shirts and the like in the future.
We are working on branding the park with a new logo this year “CTP.” Look for it online and wherever park events are held. New artwork is being designed right now – soon to be unveiled!
Pickleball
Canonsburg Pickleball will be in its fourth season in April and has grown to more than 75 members. We are all anxiously awaiting the ground breaking for the new courts coming soon. Three new courts will be a great asset to the park, and will most certainly revitalize the area around the Passante/DeJohn pavilion. The Canonsburg Pickleball family has worked very hard and is excited to gift these courts to the Community. We anticipate the project to be completed in early summer, followed by an opening ceremony. The group is also planning a Canon-McMillan High School Pickleball tournament this summer and is looking forward to seeing more residents and youth on the courts. The membership is open to residents of all ages.
Local artist and avid Pickleball player Jim Sulkowski created this beautiful artistic drawing and logo. This scene will certainly be a beautiful site when completed in Canonsburg Town Park. The $60,000 complex is a gift to the community. The donors will be acknowledged at the opening ceremony upon completion. Please email canonsburg.pickleball@gmail.com for more information.
New pavilion
A new pavilion is coming to our park and ground will be broken soon. The projected location is next to the Velma Jefferies Playground. This project has been funded by the generous grant from LSA (Local Share Account) as well as contributions from Canonsburg Borough, The Park Board and Friends of the Park who all made this project possible. An engineer has been hired, Sarah with Mackin Engineering will be our resource for this new shelter.
Town Park Pool updates
Opens Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday-Monday)
Noon-6 p.m., weather permitting
The pool will be open weekends only and then daily when school is out for summer
2019 Pool pass pricing
Daily Pass: $6
Season passes
Adult: $70
Child (Ages 4-13) or Senior (65+): $60
For the most up-to-date news at the park and pool, like us on Facebook: “Canonsburg Park and Recreation.”
2019 passes are now available online at www.canonsburgboro.com/park-and-pool.
The pool house will be open one weekend prior on May 19 from noon-3 p.m. for the pre-sale of pool passes and pool party registration. We have had an overwhelming response already, so be sure to book your date early! Check out the website for Family pass prices and other pertinent info.
Our grant writing team was successful in seeking funds from the Washington County Local Share Account. The grant notification of award just came in and we are happy to announce that these funds will be used to build a new pavilion and rehab and replace the pathways throughout the park. Matching funds from The Friends of the Park, The Canonsburg Borough and The Canonsburg Park Board.
We will continue to apply for grant funding through the available agencies such as Washington County LSA, DCNR and DCED. Playgrounds, pathways and walking trails, parking lots and drainage culverts and tree replacement are all being submitted as part of several grant applications, as well as ADA improvements for accessibility to all.
We are looking to start a volunteer group to help us with gardening and clean up days two to three times a year. If interested, please message us on Facebook.
Watch for the activities – concerts, bonfires, 4th of July celebrations, dive in movies and recreation are all on the agenda this year – we are looking forward to a great summer in the park.
Reach us on Facebook or mail correspondence to: Town Park Board, 68 E.Pike St., Canonsburg, Pa., 15317. For those needing GPS directions to the Park: VFW 191 Drive, Canonsburg, Pa., 15317.