By Alice Crow
Crafton Borough Council members unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the Crafton Master Site Development Plan at the Feb. 9 council meeting.
The plan will allow the borough to more easily apply for grants associated with improving Crafton’s parks and outdoor recreational properties. The development plan was created in March 2022 and was recently approved by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“It's a plan that gives us a framework to build on as we go and seek funding sources,” said Council Vice President Kristen Compitello.
“We have a better position when we can point to a community-backed document that shows interest and details how all of these things will be done.”
By adopting the resolution, council members are not obligated to follow the plan completely, but it would allow them to use the document when submitting for grants that would fund the recommended projects.
Along with the approval of the master plan, DCNR has awarded Crafton with a grant to improve Linwood Park. This will include new amenities and updates to the park’s accessibility.
“We do have some grant funding already that was inspired by that plan and now that it’s been formally approved by the state, this council can formally adopt it and it can continue to be a guiding document that will help us position for additional future funding opportunities over the next, roughly, 10 years,” Compitello said.
Proposed updates to Linwood Park include:
• Renovate and transform the basketball court to a multi-sport court including pickleball, volleyball, etc.
• Improve the existing children’s playground and expand to add a few more play structure elements.
• Evaluate the feasibility of providing night-time sport lighting that casts no illumination on the adjoining properties.
Other proposals for Linwood Park include a small parking area, pedestrian walkway, social space, “sunken” play area, seasonal restroom, additional benches and safety lighting.
The 105-page master plan also includes recommendations for Clearview Trail, Noble Park, Crafton Park, Crafton’s creekside property, Chartiers Creek Trail, Linden Field and other outdoor properties. The plan is available on the Crafton Borough website.