Park projects and new special events were just
some of the highlights of 2019. The grand opening of
the new playground and splash pad at Murrysville
Community Park was a huge milestone for both
the community and municipal staff, and hosting
new Tuesdays at Townsend performances provided
relaxing, musical evenings under the oak trees at
Townsend Park. Santa visited Murrysville in a horse-drawn carriage on December 5 at the
Recreation Department’s new event, Santa at Sardis. Guests were treated to
a bonfire, marshmallows and campfires, hot chocolate, a gingerbread house
display and contest with more than 30 entries, a tree lighting, horse drawn
carriage rides, and visits with elves, Santa, and Mrs. Claus! Area businesses
and organizations provided wonderful activities for everyone while sunshine
and blue skies brightened the afternoon. Thank you to our volunteers, local
businesses and organizations that made this new holiday event possible; we
look forward to providing it again next year!
Special Events Field Use and Maintenance
Each year the Recreation Department works in conjunction with the
Westmoreland County Parks department and the Westmoreland Heritage Trail to
host the March for Parks, a fundraiser for the Westmoreland County Parks and the
Westmoreland Heritage Trail. The Murrysville to Export section of the trail was
officially opened on August 17 so now trail users can walk, bike, or run 9 miles from
Export to Trafford! The next March for Parks event will be Saturday, March 21 at the
Murrysville SportZone. Park sports fields continued to be in high demand for organized sports
organizations and general community use. FAMFA, FRAA, MASA, Boys and
Girls Lacrosse, numerous community sports teams and individual enthusiasts
alike utilize every sports field available during the months of April-November.
Fees collected for field use help to offset annual maintenance
costs.
Held annually since 2014, the Farmers’ Market has become a weekly
community gathering place for friends and family to visit and relax while
enjoying a variety of vendors offering local produce, organic produce, plants and
flowers, kettle corn, wood-fired pizza, wine, beer, spirits, and delicious baked
goods. Offered in conjunction with the Murrysville Volunteer Fire Company
(MVFC), the Market ran Thursdays 3:00-7:00 p.m. June through September at
the MVFC Field on Sardis Road. The Farmhouse Kids’ Club for children ages 3-12,
sponsored again by First Commonwealth Bank, operated for 11 weeks. Members
participated in weekly activities such as food tastings, scavenger hunts, flower
planting, and even got to pet a calf and baby pigs! By completing each week’s
activity, members “earned” a wooden coin worth $2.00 that could be spent
with any of the Market vendors. The coin program at the Farmhouse Kids’ Club
was again well-received by the more than 200 children who participated, and
generated $760.00 in revenue to our vendors.
Woodstock was celebrated August 10 at the 3rd annual Concert in the Park
which featured live bands and classic favorites from that groovy 60’s era. Thousands
of guests, four live bands, food trucks, lawn games, wine, beer and fireworks filled
the day with activities for all. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the park and
especially our sponsors who made the event possible.
Guests sampled and voted on more than 30 hot and mild chilis prepared by
amateur cooks and local restaurants at the 11th annual Chili Oktoberfest, held
in conjunction with the Murrysville-Export Rotary. The new cornbread category
was perfectly paired with the chili. Helltown beverages, hot dogs, the Hoffman
Road Band, kids’ activities and more were enjoyed by hundreds of chili fans, while
cash prizes were awarded for the favorite chili and cornbread recipes. This annual
event, which supports Rotary community programs, is open to all and is held every
October; don’t miss it!
Recreation Programs
Summer Recreation Programs remained
popular, garnering 55 registrations for three
youth programs. Programs included The
Basics of Drawing, Creative Madness, and
Ready-Set-Run 5K camp. The Summer Park
Adventure Program (formerly the Playground
Program) saw 83 children registered who visited
414 times to Heritage Park, Bear Hollow Park,
Murrysville Community Park, Townsend Park and Sardis
Park over seven weeks. Kids in grades 1-7 enjoyed free time to play games,
spent time with friends, fish in the pond and cool off at the new splash pad at
MCP. Outside in the parks has never been so much fun!
33 children ages 8-13 spent their summer training for a 5K at Murrysville
Community Park during Ready, Set, Run 5K camp. Over seven weeks they
jogged, sprinted and ran, gaining the knowledge and strength needed to
complete a 5K, which was held in August. Everyone should be very proud of
this awesome achievement!
Adult classes were offered, the first being Yoga in the Parks, a series of
outdoor yoga classes held on a rotating basis in Murrysville Community Park,
Sardis, Townsend and Kovalczik Parks June through October. Provided by
Breathe Yoga, participants were able to practice yoga while enjoying nature in
some of our beautiful parks. Zen for all! Additional adult classes on a variety of
topics, including bus trips, will be available in 2020.
Volunteer
Our park trails are maintained by volunteers. What will they look like if
no one is maintaining them any longer? The Recreation Department special
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MURRYSVILLE
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SPRING 2020
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