Apr 9, 2019 By Cara Host for The Almanac 2 min read

Now that Simmons Park has been revamped, Bethel Park officials are turning their attention to Miner’s Memorial Park.

At the regular meeting April 8, council agreed to apply for a grant through the state’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program. Municipal officials have a wish list of about $400,000 worth of improvements they would like to see made at the park on Main Street, to include playground equipment and revamped pavilions. However, construction probably won’t start until 2020.

Improvements at another park, Simmons Park on Clifton Road, were recently completed.

Construction crews spent much of last year making improvements and repairs, inlcuding a new playground and maintenance building, which replaced one that was destroyed by fire about 18 months ago.

Council is scheduled to hold a ribbon cutting celebration at the new playground at 11 a.m. May 4.

Council also approved a stormwater project on Park Avenue. The sidewalk along that road will be replaced with a green sidewalk design and pavers that will feature improved drainage.

Council President Tim Moury said the Park Avenue area is prone to flooding and he hopes an improved sidewalk will reduce the amount of stormwater run off and reduce flooding elsewhere in Bethel Park.

A. Folino Construction of Oakmont will be paid $67,177.50 and construction will take place over the next few months.

Several residents expressed concerns about flooding at the council meeting.

A year ago, a flash flood caused severe damage to many homes in Bethel Park, and some residents worry municipal officials are not doing enough to prevent the next flood.

Maria Vadas said her home on California Avenue is prone to flooding and the problem worsened after the 2018 flood as well as in a development nearby. She said heavy rains that used to be rare weather events are becoming more common and urged municipal officials to act quickly.

The floods “aren’t freak instances, but they’re part of a pattern that are going to be here for a while,” she said. “It’s really an untenable situation right now.”