Department of Recreation continued
events are growing in popularity with larger attendance
than ever, but without volunteers they will not continue to
be successful. More than 400 special event and 3000 park
volunteer hours were reported for 2019 but with more than
1200 acres of park land and a dozen special events throughout
the year, those numbers are shockingly low. Our volunteers are
more valuable than could ever be expressed. Thank you to all
who share their time! Volunteering is fun and opportunities
are available for families, businesses and teams and can be as
simple as contributing one hour of time. Visit https://www.
murrysville.com/348/Volunteer-Program , search Murrysville
Volunteer Program on Facebook, or call
724-327-2100
ext. 115. Just an hour can make a difference!
Park Projects
Murrysville Community Park saw the
completion of a DCNR riparian buffer
grant project along Steele’s Run
stream, including a new pavilion,
walkway, bench seating, and
hundreds of trees and bushes. The
new destination playground and
splash pad opened in June with
hundreds of excited children and
families splashing in the cool water
throughout the summer. The playground at
Bear Hollow Park, dated 1998, was replaced with
a new playground that includes a play structure for children
ages 2-5. Necessary upgrades were also performed throughout
the park as part of the annual Capital Improvements Plan.
Department Information
Information regarding Murrysville Recreation Department
Programs and Events can be found by visiting http://
murrysvilleparecreation.com/ , in the Penn-Franklin
Newspaper in our bi-annual supplement, or on Facebook at
Murrysville Recreation Department. We can also be reached by
phone during normal working hours at 724-327-2100 ext. 131
or ext. 115.
Murrysville Community Library |
Amy Riegner, Director and MCL Staff
2019 was indeed a year of celebration and
change at Murrysville Community Library
(MCL), as we observed our 97th year of service
to the community! Throughout the year, we
hosted many special events. Some have been
selected to showcase below.
Special Highlights from 2019
January: MCL held a welcome reception for new Director, Emma H. Beaver.
Beaver was invited to join the Franklin Region School District Act 48 committee
alongside MCL staff member, Carol Siefken, and Foundation President, Connie Cauvel.
These community partnerships are vital to the sustainability of the Library.
February: A successful new adult program, Speed Dating with a Book, involved
various community members as key speakers, and had over forty attendees. Beaver
spoke at a meeting of the Murrysville-Export Rotary Club, advocating for the Library
and its services.
March: The Library has hosted art displays by the East Suburban Artists League
for years; this month one of their talented artists gave an art talk for our patrons.
Coordinator of Youth Services, Carol Siefken, had a busy month facilitating the
Murrysville Chess Tournament and preparing to host the Westmoreland County
Chess Tournament. Siefken also served as a moderator for the Middle School WIRC
(Westmoreland Interscholastic Reading Competition).
April: Various staff members attended continuing education workshops on
multiple topics, including HR issues and POWER Library (an online resource).
Beaver spoke at a Murrysville Lions Club meeting, advocating for the Library and
deepening relationships with various community organizations. The Library created
a new POWER Library resource guide to more successfully promote this valuable
resource within the community. Outreach visits were conducted at area preschools to
celebrate April’s “The Week of the Young Child.”™
May: During a typical month, the Library hosts the following events: AAUW
presentations, Babies ‘n’ Books, multiple book clubs, Chair Yoga, Dog Reading Pals,
Library Knitters, Plant-Based Nutrition Support Group, Preschool Storytime, Socrates
Café, and Toddler Time. Collaboration with the FRSD continued, focusing on how to
better serve area teens. Discussions of a Teen Advisory Board began.
June: Summer Reading Club kicked off with the theme of “A Universe of Stories.”
Throughout the summer over 1,000 children participated in over 70 different
programs. Events promoting literacy and learning included STEM, field trips to visit
various community organizations and businesses, programs about bees, bugs, and
reptiles, and many space-themed programs to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
Apollo moon landing. Our Wednesday Night Café programming for adults showcased
musicians, dancers, authors, and other educational speakers.
July: The Library began reviewing and developing several policies in an effort
to keep policies and procedures current. Beaver and Siefken attended the FRSD
Intermediate School Groundbreaking. The Library decided to add cake pans to the
circulating collection and the Technical Services department worked diligently to iron
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