Renovated Community Bank Park on display at picnic

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

North Belle Vernon Community Bank Park was bustling on Friday. 

The park closed for several months during the COVID-19 pandemic, but reopened Monday with several upgrades.

On Friday, Mon Valley families and local elected officials headed to the park to mingle with state Sen. Pat Stefano for an evening picnic. 

Stefano has held and attended several events in recent weeks as counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania moved to the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.

As guests enjoyed dinner prepared by Big Frank’s BBQ and tapped their toes by to music provided by DJ Nate Williams, children laughed and played on the jungle gym while their parents chatted with Stefano and other elected officials from Rostraver Township, Washington Township, North Belle Vernon and Belle Vernon.

Discussions focused on what the future looks like in the Mon Valley as things slowly return to normal.

During the shutdown, the park received a facelift, including new durable oil-based paint in the pavilion and other areas, an upgrade to the grill and an ADA-accessible drinking fountain, a sign listing all small businesses in surrounding areas, a repaved walking track, upgraded dek hockey floor, new nets on the soccer field and improvements to the restrooms. 

North Belle Vernon Councilman and Parks and Recreation Chairman RJ Sokol said it was nice to see the park come back to life.

“This is what it is all about,” he said. “Seeing people having a good time, enjoying good food, smiling, laughing. 

“It’s been a while, but it feels good to see this in use again.”

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