Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver slated for improvements thanks to hotel tax revenue
After discovering parks as a hidden asset in Westmoreland County, the commissioners allocated a large chunk of hotel tax revenue to various projects, including two new stainless steel slides to replace the famous Mammoth Park 鈥済iant slide鈥� and a rehabilitation project at Cedar Creek Park.
The commissioner approved a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau concerning the annual tourism plan, which allocates $861,783 toward county tourism efforts. The funds are derived from the county鈥檚 additional 2% in hotel tax that was approved in 2017.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of good stuff in there,鈥� said Commissioner Ted Kopas. 鈥淲e are investing in the things that make Westmoreland County great.鈥�
The largest portion of the allocation, $290,000, went to the Cedar Creek Park rehabilitation project, which includes physical improvements to the Hilltop site with work on a new playground, winter tubing and sledding run site, renovations to three restrooms, parking expansion, improvements to walkways with ADA access, and landscaping and beautification work, and the development of the River 鈥榥 Trail Pavilion, a 200-seat pavilion along the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail.
Other parks and recreation projects earmarked with funds included revitalization and replacement of park amenities, including new stainless steel slides to replace the famous Mammoth slide and a long plastic slide for younger children ($180,000); completion of the new Westmoreland County Education Center at Historic Hanna鈥檚 Town and administrative offices of Westmoreland County Historical Society and Westmoreland Heritage in the Steel Farmhouse ($52,446); replacement of a 鈥渟pider climber鈥� near Twin Lakes Park Pavilion No. 3, in accordance with playground safety requirements ($15,870); repairs and maintenance at the county鈥檚 trail system of hiking/biking/walking trails ($9,500); replacements to certain types of playground equipment at Twin Lakes and Mammoth parks ($8,099); installation of two dryers in each park to allow for a reduction in litter and to be more eco-friendly and the installation of Game time grills in each park for an overall upgrade to the park system ($6,200).
In addition, funds were allocated towards two of Westmoreland County鈥檚 premier events, the Westmoreland County Air Show, which is planned for Memorial Day weekend this year ($93,750), and the Westmoreland County Arts & Heritage Festival, which is held around July 4th ($165,000).
Also, the Westmoreland County Airport Authority also is receiving to allocations. The first, $38,918, is for concierge and marketing services at the airport. This individual will provide assistance for lodging accommodations, car rentals, dining and tourism attraction information, directions to local colleges, and directions in general. The second, $2,000, is to allow WCAA personnel to attend a convention to promote the airport.
Although there wasn鈥檛 a formal process like when discussing the county鈥檚 tourism grants, the commissioners said they were able to sit down with their partners from the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau to discuss strategically what the best investments were. And, there is a grander vision in the future.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not standing still. We鈥檙e pressing forward,鈥� said Commissioner Charles Anderson.
Although the plan doesn鈥檛 call for an aggressive marketing plan of the county鈥檚 assets, Commissioners Gina Cerilli said that could be in the plan in future years.