Brewster Welcomes New State Investments for Recreation Projects in Allegheny, Westmoreland

Harrisburg – October 24, 2016 – State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) said that he welcomes new state investment in communities throughout his district after today’s announcement that the state’s Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) approved grants for key recreation projects in Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties.

At a morning meeting in Harrisburg, the CFA approved four projects in Brewster’s district.  One project, K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park, is in Westmoreland County, while the other three are in Allegheny – in Port Vue, East Pittsburgh and Turtle Creek.

“There is no question the funds earmarked for these four projects will fill a crucial need,” Brewster said.  “Municipalities already stretch local tax dollars but often they are not enough to meet the demand for capital improvements, especially in smaller cash-strapped communities.

“These funds, which add to a local community’s quality of life, will enable important recreational projects to be completed.”

Brewster said that the CFA approved the following:

• $50,000 for the City of Lower Burrell in Westmoreland County to renovate former Wolf Pack Park which is now K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Memorial Park.  The project includes the development of a memorial to Officer Kotecki that involves a sculpture, landscaping, steel and stone archway, park entrance and paved parking lot;

• $50,000 in Greenways, Trails and Recreation funds to renovate the tot lot in Romine Park in Port Vue.  The park has outdated equipment and it is not accessible for children with disabilities.  The funding will be used to install a new swing set and play activity climber and to retrofit equipment to make it ADA accessible;

• $35,000 for improvements to Quarry Field in East Pittsburgh Borough.  The new CFA dollars will be used to construct a walking trail and five exercise stations, in addition to a new park access point from the parking lot;

• $50,000 has been granted to Turtle Creek Borough to rehabilitate the playground at Hamilton Park.  The equipment in the park will be updated and the pavilion roof replaced.

The CFA was established in 2004 to administer economic stimulus programs.  It is an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

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