May 4, 2022 Board Meeting Summary

The second Friends of South Park meeting was held on May 4, 2022 at the Buffalo Inn.
The Friends extended their sincere condolences to the family of Parks Supervisor, Rich Daniel’s who passed away unexpectedly. Rich worked in the Parks Department for over 30 years and will be sorely missed.

Parks Director, Andy Baechle, reported on some of the work completed in the park:
Sink hole at the concert site was repaired.
New windows were installed in the Cottage
New mulch was placed around the exercise stations by the Gazebo on Maple Springs      that were provided by the Friends.
Cascades was reseeded and directional signs installed.
Basketball courts, playgrounds and shelters were power washed.
Bathrooms were cleaned and opened.
Repairs have begun on damaged and missing grove and shelter signs.
The Children’s Playground at the corner of Corrigan and Brownsville Rds. will be redesigned and new equipment installed.
New tennis courts will be installed and the current ones refurbished.

Councilman Tom Duerr and Andy Baechle updated the Friends on the new maintenance facility being built on McConkey Road. Construction has been bid and the contract awarded. This very large facility will however include landscaping to make it as unobtrusive as possible since it’s in the heart of the park.

Jason Fincke reported that 24 residents participated in the first “Litter League” clean up. Several truckloads of litter were removed from East Park Drive and surrounding areas. The next clean up will be June 18, 9:00 am at the ice skating rink. Please sign up at www.southparkfriends.com.

Sue Zemba reported that almost 300 memorial flags will be placed in the Joyce Kilmer Circle on Corrigan Drive four times this year beginning with Memorial Day. Flags and dedication signs will be up for approximately 10-12 days.

Carolyn Savikas requested permission to plant additional daffodils on daffodil hill and Mr. Baechle approved the request.

Carolyn also reported that we had orders totaling over $2,000 for our Spring Garden Event scheduled for May 7. She thanked everyone who helped to make the event a success.All monies raised are used to help beautify South Park.

The next meeting of the Friends of South Park will be held on July 20, at 7:00 PM in the Home Economics Building. Please note the change of venue. The public is encouraged to attend.

Find Out What’s Happening in the Park! Bethel Park Library Presentation

Save the Date!
What’s happening in South Park?
Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Have you seen the new outdoor classroom, the Restored Cascades at Stone Manse or the gorgeous Paul Riis Meadow? Did you know that the new Fairgrounds parking lot is projected to save 2.5 million gallons of rain water from going into Catfish Run? Have you heard about plans for the “Paul Riis Walking Trail? If you would like to know more about the history of South Park and all the exciting projects completed and proposed, please join Barbara Brewton, Institutional Giving and Project Manager for the Allegheny County Parks Foundation and Carolyn Savikas, Chair of the Friends of South Park at the Bethel Park Library on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, 6:30 PM at the Bethel Park Library, 5100 W. Library Avenue, Bethel Park, PA 15102.

Register on line at www.bethelparklibrary.org or call 412-835-2207