First Phase of Developing New Ballfields in Pine Community Park Approved

The Pine Board of Supervisors on Monday approved the first phase of developing the White-Vacco property into ballfields in .

The supervisors approved nearly $24,000 in contracts to start clearing and preparing the two-acre site on the southeast edge of the park on Pearce Mill Road. The White-Vacco term refers to the names of the previous land owners, said township Manager Cheryl Fischer.

Township Assistant Manager Scott Anderson said contractor Joseph B. Fay Co. of Russellton has offered to donate fill dirt and his services if the township will do prep work on the property.

The supervisors approved three contracts:

• $9,800 for Dan Dietrich Tree Service of Butler to clear trees and underbrush;
• $7,800 for MMC Land Management of Gibsonia to install erosion and sediment controls;
• $6,150 for Walsh Equipment of Prospect to supply piping that will be installed by the J.B. Fay Co. to carry stormwater drainage from the field to the detention pond.

"We're getting this done for pennies on the dollar," Supervisor Frank Spagnolo said about the financial savings to the township.

In January, the supervisors learned that fully developing the White-Vacco property into ballfields would cost about $1 million.

Anderson said the township is doing this first phase because of the donation offer.

At the supervisors' January meeting, Engineer Kevin A. Brett of Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering Inc. outlined a three-year phased plan to develop the two-acre Vacco-White property into multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football. A 62-space parking lot and landscaping also would be added.

The township acquired the Vacco property last year for between $80,000 and $90,000, Fischer said in January. The White acreage was acquired years ago, she said.

The 105-acre Pine Community Park already has a Pony League field/soccer field, Colt League field/soccer field, two Little League fields/soccer fields, two other soccer fields, two sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, a fishing lake, nature trail, hiking trails, a basketball court and bocce court. It also has a concession stand with restrooms and two pavilions.

for the January story about the proposed ballfields.