RENOVATIONS AT CHURCH PARK PLACE Church Place Park has had a significant renovation this year.
One of the major changes is the switch from a mulch bedding to an artificial grass called ForeverLawn. Phil Avolio, Mt. Lebanon’s facilities and parks coordinator, said the original wood fiber surface was hard to maintain and that ForeverLawn is a better use of resources.
“Installing a long-term safety surface eliminates the maintenance of replacing wood fiber each year, and then restoring the lawn area on their way out,” Avolio said. “Those man-hours and dollars spent on wood fiber are now free for other park maintenance activities.”
Additional upgrades include synthetic turf for the play area and more ground play elements, such as a hopscotch court. Crews performed safety improvements as well, including site grading to correct erosion, new handrails and a border fence. Workers added a lower section to the handrails to prevent balls from rolling out into the street below.
The park received several benches, which were repurposed from the Vibrant Uptown project, and volunteers helped salvage shrubs to be replanted in the park, as part of the project’s sustainability.
The 2022 Parks Master Plan influenced the renovation.
“Items off the master plan that were addressed include updated safety surfaces, increased accessibility, inclusive play, amenity standards, signage and wayfinding, [and] maintenance reducing efforts through efficiencies.”
Renovations at Church Place Park will be complete by the end of the year, with a sidewalk extension connecting the walking path to the play area, a new park sign and final touches on landscaping.
RECREATION DEPARTMENT ADDRESSES POOL FILTRATION ISSUES This summer, the Mt. Lebanon Swim Center closed several times because of cloudy water. Allegheny County health and safety regulations mandate closure when the bottom of a swimming pool is not visible.
The cloudy water was a result of an aging filtration system, compounded by an accidental discharge of diatomaceous earth — a component of the filtration system — into the pool prior to opening for the season. The error forced a one-day closure to remove the diatomaceous earth from the pool, but it had also settled into the plumbing and filtration system. Then, the robotic vacuum cleaners had difficulty cleaning the uneven pool floor that has developed undulations from expansion and contraction over time.
As the season continued, a combination of increased vacuuming, degreasing and acid washing filters, adjusting backwashing procedures and water chemistry and adding supplemental filtration fixed the cloudy water. The last closure was in mid-July.
“The mitigation efforts that we put into place seem to be working very well,” said Recreation Director David Donnellan at a Commission discussion session.
Donnellan said the department is hoping to replace the filtration system before the next swim season. He is working with Counsilman-Hunsaker, an aquatic planning firm, to design and oversee the project. If all goes according to plan, construction on the new filtration system should be completed in time for the 2025 pool opening date.
Other improvements under consideration are replacing the pool floor, leveling the gutters and adding a surge tank, which will retain the water displaced by swimmers entering the pool.
“We want to look at anything that can be packaged together prior to the 2025 season to enhance water clarity and quality.”
At press time, the recreation department was considering options to help compensate passholders for lost time at the pool.
RINK REPAIRS Donnellan also updated Commissioners on the status of the ice center, which has been running a temporary chiller in place of a compressor that failed in 2023. Donnellan said the manufacturer of the crankshafts needed for the compressors was purchased by another company, and in the process some of the molds for making parts, including the crankshaft, were destroyed. This resulted in several delays. The department has been waiting for the replacement crankshaft since November 2023.
“Needless to say, it’s very disappointing and frustrating,” Donnellan said. “Insurance has paid costs up to this point, but we can’t delay forever.”
INSPECTION CONSULTATION From 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, you can chat with someone from the Mt. Lebanon Inspection Office about your project. The idea is to expedite the permit process by letting you know everything you need to do to get started. Appointments are 30 minutes each, and you’ll need to preregister at 412-343-3408 no later than 4 p.m. the Friday before your meeting. Please provide your name, address of project, phone number, email and the project or topic you wish to discuss.
MEET OUR JUNIOR COMMISSIONERS Mt. Lebanon’s junior commissioners serve as a liaison between the municipality and the school district, while gaining experience with local government. To apply, students fill out a form, answer several essay questions and submit a letter of recommendation. The Commissioners then interview finalists and vote on their appointments.
Clara Sun is Mt. Lebanon’s junior commissioner for the fall semester. The Kenmont Avenue resident is a senior at Mt. Lebanon High School and a member of the student council since freshman year. Sun is a member of the orchestra, secretary of the mock trial team, contributor to the Model United Nations team and founder and president of the school’s coding club. Outside of school, she can be found at the recreation center, teaching and practicing figure skating.
Abigail Sohyda will serve as junior commissioner for the spring 2025 term. The Fruithurst Drive junior is a member of the mock trial team, speech and debate club, global studies club and volunteers with the Special Olympics. Last summer, Sohyda graduated from the FBI National Academy Associate’s Youth Leadership Program, where she represented western Pennsylvania as one of the two attendees selected.
CAREER COUNSELING Mt. Lebanon Public Library is hosting a career counseling workshop, conducted by WorkAble, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, October 17. Services include career counseling and assessment; guidance in resume and cover letter writing; job search strategies; networking and interviewing; and LinkedIn coaching and training.
Funded through the United Way of Allegheny County, WorkAble combines the services of career counselors, regional employers and volunteers. Job seekers will work closely with a career counselor to create and implement a job search plan. WorkAble provides access to free one-on-one career counseling, job search assistance, including a weekly job opportunities email, employer events and on-site career fairs; online learning center and resource room and connection employer-hiring events and networking opportunities.
Registration required. Call 412-904-5993 or visit www.workableac.com [1] to register.