TO REACH US - Allegheny West Magazine

STORY AND PHOTOSBY PAT JENNETTEIt was a blustery Saturday inApril when community residentsgathered on the knob of the hillat the new Donaldson Park inNorth Fayette Township. Thegathering of local militaryveterans, Boy Scouts, localofficials, families, children, andspeakers stood tall against thewindy weather. There were thereto dedicate Liberty Groveadjacent to two of the park’s newsports fields heading up the hillfrom the park’s entrance offDonaldson Road.The event, coordinated by thevolunteer members of thecommmunity group, ACT, wasthe first of hopefully manymemorable occasions at the newtownship park. It dedicated tothe area’s military veterans treesrepresenting each branch of themilitary, as well as benchesengraved with the names oflocal veterans’ groups.Attendees were also invited towrite on a rock in memory of aloved one who served or isserving in the military, thenplace their rock at the base ofthat military branch’s tree.Attendees had the opportunityto get a sneak peak of thepark’s amenities, too.Although still a work inprogress, North FayetteTownship’s new facility alreadyhas two ballfields which are inuse this season. Paved roadsand parking lots are evident, asare concession stands andrestroom facilities.Work is almost complete onthe amphitheatre.Last month, the park’s lotswere already filled to capacityby families in attendance attheir children’s games.The park will make itsofficial debut to the communitywhen it becomes the newsite for the annual NorthFayette Community Daysevent. This year’s fair will beheld on August 6 and 7 (seeopposite page for details).Most recently, NorthFayette received a $150,000Community Infrastructureand Tourism Fund Grantfrom Allegheny County to usetoward the park.Township manager BobGrimm said the township willuse it to purchase parkamenities such as benches,trash cans, and items thatinclude volleyball, horseshoe,and soccer equipment.June 2010 Allegheny West Magazine 15