The Frankstown Township Memorial Park renovation project included two pickleball courts and a rain garden. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

GEESEYTOWN — After more than two years of work, the Frankstown Township Memorial Park renovation project is nearing completion, on schedule to fully reopen by mid-June.

According to Township Manager Henry Fownes, growing public demand for adding pickleball courts to the small park alongside Route 22 in Geeseytown sparked a similar interest in township leadership.

The pickleball craze sweeping Blair County since the pandemic has prompted several local municipalities, such as nearby Duncansville Borough, to convert existing recreation facilities or add entirely new courts to satisfy local players.

The township applied for a $240,000 1-to-1 local match Keystone Grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2022 to build two pickleball courts and complete a number of other necessary renovations to the park, Fownes said.

According to Fownes, the courts will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

In order to meet grant requirements, the township added environmentally conscious features to the project outline submitted to DCNR, which included new solar-powered lights and benches made of recycled plastic.

The plans also included additional handicap parking spaces, sidewalks, a storm water catchment system and a rain garden stocked with native plant species, he said.

According to Fownes, the new garden features red maple trees, hameln grass, inkberry holly bushes, stella d’oro daylilies, bee balm and sweet bay trees.

The grant agreement began Jan. 1, 2023, with work commencing later that year, Fownes said.

Laurel Asphalt LLC of Windber won the contracting bid for the project and worked alongside township road crew employees to complete the work.

Originally, Fownes said, the township had hoped to reopen the park by October 2024, but adverse weather and “conflicts” with the contractor delayed the project timeline until now.

All that remains to be completed is final sealing of the concrete sidewalks, minor landscaping work and inspections by both a local engineer and DCNR to ensure the work meets grant requirements, he said.

Since the concrete sealant needs a minimum of 24 hours without precipitation, Fownes said that the contractor is waiting for a break in the weather to complete the final step, but anticipates that it will be finished in the next week or two.

“I’m hopeful more people will be exposed to the park,” Fownes said.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.