Aug 30, 2017 By Cara Host 2 min read

A small baseball field behind the old schoolhouse on Park Avenue in Bethel Park could be converted into a playground with a splash pad for young children.

Bethel Park Council discussed the idea at the committee meeting Aug. 28 after officials originally considered using an athletic field at Simmons Park as a space for the splash pad.

The splash area would essentially be a fountain for children to play in and cool off in the summer. However, some municipal officials were concerned about inadequate parking at Simmons Park.

Shawn Arbaugh, municipal manager, said the Park Avenue location might be a better place for the splash pad because it is centrally located and park-goers should have plenty of parking at either the Schoolhouse Arts building or the community center.

“Parking was always a concern at Simmons Park,” he said.

Council President Tim Moury was receptive to the idea, but he said the municipality needs to find another place for the baseball players who use that field.

Municipal officials hope to receive grant funding through Allegheny County to pay for the amenity, which would be part of a larger revamping of all parks in Bethel Park.

Council will also consider at its regular meeting Sept. 11 to amend the zoning ordinance for off street parking that will relax the parking space size requirements, mainly for commercial businesses. The ordinance would also allow tandem parking at some existing buildings.