Despite a wet spring and early summer, the new playground at Fairhaven Park is nearly finished and Kennedy Township officials are hoping it’s ready for use by the middle of the month.
That was the word Wednesday from Dave Fortna, chair of the township’s Parks and Recreation Board, who provided a progress report after visiting the project site earlier in the day.
“Weather has played a significant factor — with all the rain we’ve had, we’ve been delayed,” he said.
Township Manager Greg Clarke, in fact, said the original goal was to have the playground open by Memorial Day. But the rainy weather and the length of time it takes to get approvals for federally-funded projects combined to delay the project.
As a result, work didn’t get started until late May, Fortna said. “So with all the wet weather, it’s not too bad all things considered,” he said. “Our public works and the playground equipment company have done a great job.”
The upgraded playground setup is one of many improvements funded by a $600,000 federal Community Project Funding grant. Congressman Chris Deluzio secured the funding as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 money package.
On April 22, 2024, Deluzio announced the grant at an Earth Day cleanup in Fairhaven Park. According to a press release, the grant was to be used to fund improvements to a recreational trail, add more lighting, build a “safe and exciting new playground structure for kids,” and enhance security with more security cameras.
Last September, State Rep. Anita Kulik (D-45), announced the township was awarded a $50,000 grant by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the creation of a Fairhaven Park master plan.
Fortna said significant planning went into the new playground equipment. “It’s more than just putting a new swing set and slide out there,” he said. “We feel we are building something for the next generation.”
Clarke said Thursday that the playground is an important element for the growing community.
“This means that people in Kennedy, Stowe and McKees Rocks can stay here and come up to a really nice park,” he said. “People have had to leave Kennedy to go to other townships for this type of playground equipment.
“This has been a long time coming.”
Fortna said the playground equipment isn’t designed to just let kids burn off some excess energy. Instead, township officials looked at the best ways children could develop their fine motor skills through climbing, swinging and other activities.
“A lot of thought was put behind this,” he said.
Fairhaven Park had a playground before, but Fortna said it was old and in dire need of an upgrade.
“The township was 100% on board and really got behind this before we got involved,” he said. “We helped move it along from a child play and educational development standpoint.”
Fortna said the township worked with the contractor to procure an ADA-friendly teeter totter to develop bouncing and balance skills, a piece of equipment that could accommodate a child who uses a wheelchair if need be.
“It allows individuals to move from their chair to the equipment to engage safely with supervision,” Fortna said.
Although Kennedy Township still skews to an older demographic, Fortna said the township is seeing its share of younger families that could make use of the new playground.
But it’s not just the younger families. “You have grandparents with grandkids – where do you go with them?” he asked. “We’re creating an opportunity for multigenerational engagement.”
Once the playground is completed, the township will move on to the second phase of park upgrades, which involves building a walking trail around the perimeter of the park. Clarke said the paved trail will have lighting and be able to accommodate emergency services vehicles. The goal is to have that trail ready for use by the end of fall.
Residents can get updates on the Kennedy Township Facebook page or call the Township Office at 412-771-6680.
(Lourdes Daughtry is a student at Temple University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns. She is dividing her time between the West Hills Gazette and The Northside Chronicle.)
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