Greenfield Twp. looking to develop first township park

Christine Lee, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·3 min read

Apr. 30—GREENFIELD TWP. — A new park will give township families a chance to make memories while preserving the memories of those who have served.

Township officials are developing a 4.5-acre tract along Route 106 into the Greenfield Twp. Community Park and Veterans Memorial. The land, owned by the township, would be Greenfield's first municipal park.

The nascent park already features a 100-foot-by-100-foot enclosed dog park, which opened in late March. Residents David and Michele Nicoteri donated the money and materials to build the dog park, which is dedicated to their son, David.

Township Board of Supervisors Chair Susanne Totsky said the dog park is already popular with area pooches, including her Maltese Shih Tzu mix, Sammy.

"People are using it, which is nice to see," she said.

Plans call for the park to be developed in phases.

The first phase, with an estimated cost of $110,000, will include a parking lot and a paved walking trail encircling the park. The township will use a $70,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources it received last year, as well as an $8,000 donation from the Greenfield Twp. Historical Society. The township will fund the remaining $32,000.

Township supervisors in March awarded an $83,000 contract to Rock Bottom Construction of Jermyn to build the paved trail, access road and parking lot, with construction expected to start this spring.

A second phase would include a playground. Plans for the park also call for a memorial to township veterans and first responders; park committee members have begun fundraising for this already. In the future, officials hope to add a pavilion to the site.

Funding mix

Patty Apostolakes, the park's project manager, submitted an application for a $60,000 grant from DCNR earlier this month to cover the second phase of construction, with the township supervisors providing an additional $30,000. She expects to hear in September whether the township was selected for the grant. Officials are also hoping businesses sponsor the park.

It's not the first time the land, which the township has owned for eight years, has drawn crowds. It used to be home to a banquet facility that hosted dances and bands and a swimming pool. Bringing new life to the site has been Totsky's dream since she joined the board in 2014.

"We wanted to give back to the community," she said.

While the township's baseball field is named in honor of Sgt. Eric Slebodnik, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2005, Totsky said there hasn't been any place in the township to recognize veterans.

"I always thought it would be nice to do something for our veterans," she said.

Park committee members are discussing selling bricks or benches listing veterans and first responders' names. Information can be found at greenfieldtownshipsupervisors.org/park, the park's Facebook page, by calling the township at 570-282-7000, option 2, or emailing supervisor@greenfieldtownship.org.

With younger people making their home in the township, Apostolakes and Totsky hope the park will be a fun space for a new generation of residents.

"I think this park will help bring the community together," Apostolakes said. "With each phase, it will get better and better."

Contact the writer:

clee@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 ext. 5365;

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