Ribbon-cutting celebrates latest Pricedale park upgrades

Phase 3 work was recently completed at Betty Ambler Park in Rostraver Township.

Last week, Rostraver Township officials held the official ribbon-cutting for Phase 3 of Betty Ambler Park, which has been in the works for several years.

Rostraver Commissioner Gary Beck said he was happy to see the park finally come together for the community to enjoy. Beck and other officials gathered at the park Nov. 19 for the ceremony.

“It took seven years of commitment and planning by the Rostraver Township Commissioners, from start to finish, to expand and renovate the Betty Ambler Park on Zundel Street in Pricedale,” Beck said. “This project could not have been completed without the support of the Rostraver Lions Club and numerous Westmoreland County offices: the Westmoreland County Land Bank, Revitalizing Westmoreland, and Westmoreland County Community Development and Planning.”

Beck said he was proud of the partnerships that came together to fund the revitalization and the resulting community beautification.

He also thanked the Rostraver Township Public Works Department for its dedicated maintenance and work on all the final touches to the park.

Betty Ambler Park was originally dedicated in 2016, and the township has been working on it ever since.

In 2018, Rostraver Township partnered with the Westmoreland County Land Bank to purchase 324 and 328 Zundel St. and demolish the houses to create room for the park. Westmoreland County financed the demolition of the two homes.

In 2022, Rostraver Township received a grant from Revitalizing Westmoreland for Phase 1 to expand Betty Ambler Park to 324 and 328 Zundel St. It included installing fencing, a swing set, a merry-goround and an ADA surface. Rostraver Lions Club volunteered its time to install the ADA surface for the park.

According to the township, the total project cost for Phase 1 was $37,535.01, with $19,600 in grant funding.

In 2023, Rostraver received a grant from the Westmoreland County Community Development Block Grant to continue expanding the park. Phase 2 included the installation of an ADA playground, picnic tables and other site amenities. Total project costs for Phase 2 were $59,706.80, with $55,288 in grant funding.

Phase 3 of the project was funded through a Westmoreland County Community Development Block Grant. The funds were used for the installation of a pavilion, parking and stormwater management at the original Betty Ambler Park. Total project costs for Phase 3 was $81,630.79, with $54,407.50 in grant funding.