Site Plan Presented for New Dark Hollow Road Recreation Area

Plans for a new recreation space along Dark Hollow Road in Oakmont are under way.

Next week, Oakmont Council is expected to give a nod of approval to a tentative site plan for the project.

The creation of the area is part of a settlement between the borough and Kacin Co. The developer is responsible for creating the recreation space because its Edgewater at Oakmont housing plan doesn't contain recreation space, per zoning regulations.

Earlier this week, Bud McCutcheon, chief engineer for KU Resources—the firm working on the project—and members of the borough recreation board presented the plan to borough officials.

The recreation area is expected to have a gravel parking lot, soccer field, little league baseball field and a field house—with restrooms, storage and a concession stand. Oakmont Recreation Board member Tom Bland said the facility most likely would be used by the Riverview Athletic Association and Twin Boro Soccer.

Engineers are in the process of obtaining necessary permits from the Department of Environmental Protection because the outfield of the baseball field is located on a "flood way."

The company is expected to solicit bids this month and receive them in January. Remediation and demolition could begin as early as the end of January, and construction should start by March. McCutcheon said construction should end in May, and the park would be turned over to the borough and opened to the public in July.

Kacin Co. will spend a maximum of $425,000 for remediation of the land and another $425,000 for the development of the land.

"We're going to ask contractors for quotes on a menu of items, and the contractor who will get us the most items on that menu would probably get the job," McCutcheon said.

If money allows, bleachers could be purchased and a wood fiber surface walking trail could be installed, according to McCutcheon. Other wish list items include a playground, lighting and batting cages.

The park has yet to be named.

Mayor Robert Fescemyer thanked everyone involved with the project.

"We're thankful and appreciate the time put into this project," he said.

Council President Timothy Milberger agreed.

"We're driving toward things that will be beneficial to the community," he said.

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