FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2009
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Sen. Rafferty Helps Coatesville Get Funding for Park Project

Coatesville has received a Department of Community and Economic Development grant that will lead to major improvements at the city's Patton/Westend Park.

The $10,000 grant, obtained with the help of Sen. John C. Rafferty,  Jr., R-44th,  will allow Coatesville to put together a master site plan and will fund a study to determine what park improvements will be made.

"The state funds are an important first step to address the recreation needs for Coatesville's West End. Physical activity is an important component in one's life." Sen. Rafferty said. "Harry Walker (city manager) deserves the credit for researching and applying for the grant money."

Robert Barry, Coatesville's Redevelopment Project Director, said this is the initial step needed in order to receive additional grant dollars from the county, state and federal governments.

The Patton/Westend Park is an existing park located on 3.2 acres of land on Westend Street between Charles and Madison streets in Coatesville's West End. The park, which was constructed in the early 1990s, is dilapidated, and does not meet the needs of today's residents. Currently the play equipment is outdated and Barry said they want to upgrade the park and replace some of the older and unsafe equipment.

Barry said the existing parking lot is large and underutilized. Since the park is located in a residential area and easily accessible to foot traffic, the parking area needs to be reconfigured.

"We hope to refurbish the basketball and tennis courts," Barry said. "There is a baseball/softball field that we want to upgrade as well, and if we can find the room, we will put in an additional field."

Security lighting needs to be installed throughout the park to prevent crime and vandalism.

"As a result of this funding and any future funding, we want to make the park compliant with the American Disability Act by putting sidewalks from parking lots to the different play areas, eliminating the need to cross grass and dirt."

The Patton/Westend Park project is only in the planning stages. Barry said the $10,000 will "allow us conduct a study to determine what the potential of the park could be, to see what we can and cannot do within the space we have."

The project also will include feedback from the residents of the community.

City Manager Harry Walker identified the grant and sought the help of Sen. Rafferty in applying for the grant and securing funding for the project.

"Residents of the West End in Coatesville deserve a better park and we're pleased to begin the process of making their dream a reality at the Patton/Westend Park," Walker said.

"On behalf of the City of Coatesville, we thank Senator John Rafferty, Representative Tim Hennessey, Congressman Jim Gerlach and Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Development Kenneth Klothen for their support."