A major upgrade to a park in North Wales is about to take shape.
Borough officials gave an update on the imminent start of construction on a project to pave a path running through the town’s Ninth Street Park.
“We did do the notice to proceed at the Ninth Street restoration project, so you’ll be seeing signs out there,” said borough Manager Christine Hart.
“We’re asking that, during construction, there’ll be no entry to the park path, between Ninth and Tenth along Church” streets, she said.
In 2022, council first heard of a project that had been on the drawing board for roughly three years to upgrade using state funding the gravel path running through the 2.2-acre park just east of Church Street, which currently features a gazebo, boardwalk and driveway running through a grassy area covered with trees, and a small stream running east-west through the park and behind the neighboring homes.
After a grant was awarded in early 2023, council heard more this past May about additional projects at Ninth Street that could include streambank restoration meant to remove sediment, adding native plants to create a bioretention area, and more pervious paving. In late July council awarded a $102,000 contract to upgrade the current path by using a pervious pavement material, and add accessible curb cuts near the park entrances; Hart told council on Tuesday night that the work is about to begin.
Site plan showing current features and possible upgrades to Ninth Street Park in North Wales Borough."We'll be adding an ADA-accessible handicapped (parking) spot on Ninth Street, and we'll be cutting in the curb, to make (the path) handicapped-accessible," she said.
"Right now, there is no way of getting into that park: there's no sidewalk, just curb, so you have to step up into the park," she said.
During a visit just after the council meeting, construction equipment could be seen stationed toward the Church Street side of the park, and flags and signs near the Ninth Street entrance and gazebo warning of imminent construction. One resident walked his dog through the park, crossing the wooden observation deck before continuing on the path, worn into the grass by countless footsteps, and said he hadn't heard of the paving project but looked forward to seeing the end result.
The moon rises above construction equipment seen alongside a gravel path running through Ninth Street Park in North Wales on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024."This will be a permeable asphalt, similar to the look of Weingartner (Park), but it will be permeable, so water will penetrate. The path will then go up to the observation deck, and continue" to the Tenth Street side, the manager said.
"Right now there's areas of worn-out gravel, some of it's coming up through the landscaping, and some dirt — we can attest to how badly it is in need of restoration. We're using the same path; it may be a little more to the left or right, it all depends on tree roots," Hart said.
Contractors estimate the work to construct the path should take three to four weeks, "barring any unforeseen problem," and their notice to proceed includes a targeted completion date of Oct. 31. Council President Sal Amato asked if the town had heard any feedback or complaints from neighbors about the pending work or equipment stationed there, and Hart said she had not.
Warning signs are posted along a gravel path running through Ninth Street Park in North Wales on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024."Several neighbors from Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth (streets) will walk their dogs along there, and go out 11th Street, to (Upper Gwynedd) township, turn around and come back. It's highly frequented," she said.
The project will also include new signage that indicate the funding source for the new path, and info has been posted on the town's website, Facebook page and 'Savvy Citizen' notification system about the upcoming work.
"We're hoping this will be really nice, and will be in use before the winter months," she said.
North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street; for more information visit www.NorthWalesBorough.org.
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