Kids & Family

Skatepark Proposed for Scott Park

A Scott resident wants a skatepark to be built in the township or other South Hills communities.

Could a skatepark be coming to Scott Park?

A Scott resident, who tried to have a skatepark in Dormont only for it to be rejected there, is now pushing for it to be built in the township or other South Hills communities.

But the township commissioners are uncertain about the funding plan and want to know a lot more about the concept before even discussing it.

Find out what's happening in Chartiers Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The township was approached recently by Mary Pitcher, who wants to build the skatepark as a way to remember two of her sons after they drowned in July 2008 while at a reservoir in the Allegheny National Forest. The family originally lived in Dormont, but Pitcher has relocated to Scott Township.

Dormont Park appeared to be the prime location for the skatepark, but the council there rejected it earlier this year. That forced Pitcher to consider other options and sent the idea to other communities, including Scott Township.

Find out what's happening in Chartiers Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The biggest concern from during their Tuesday night workshop meeting was the cost of the project. Some estimates put the price tag at $600,000, and there were more questions about whether the township would have to put up any money to build it.

“They’ve done all this fundraising, so where is all the money?” Board President Tom Castello asked during the meeting.

Township Manager Denise Fitzgerald said she needs to know whether they are interested in meeting with the people pushing for the skatepark, which would be open to skateboarders and BMX bikers. She said a meeting with the organizers would bring more answers for the commissioners.

“If there is an interest, I would move forward … to work out the details,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald said the township already has insurance for the skatepark, which could be placed at the bottom of Scott Park near the basketball courts. The commissioners said they doubt they’ll make a decision on the skatepark at their voting meeting on May 22.

Several other communities in the South Hills, including Mt. Lebanon, are also candidates for the skatepark.

Like the Chartiers Valley Patch Facebook page or sign up for our Daily E-mail Newsletter!


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Chartiers Valley