North Strabane Rejects Park Removal Project

North Strabane residents rejoiced after a park removal project was unanimously rejected at the township’s board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday. The project would rebrand Borland Manor park’s status as a vacant lot rather than recreational space, according to township manager Andrew L. Walz. “Because the property was deeded to the township back in the ‘40s as a recreation space, to remove that recreation space, the solicitor would’ve had to have authorization from supervisors to go to the courts and have that recreation removed,” says Walz. Once removed from the deed, that property would be sold off by the township. Frustrated residents urged the board to instead keep the park space. Resident Dave Banish said the property, which is mostly green space, is still a “gold park” that needs improved equipment instead. A neighboring resident worried that her property value would decrease if the lot were sold. The board of supervisors afterwards voted to reject the removal process, putting the township “back at square one”, according to Walz. “It either stays the way it is or there’s some planning to see what might be capable of putting into this one and a half acre park,” says Walz. Resident Kristy Scarmazzi says she’s grateful that the park can stay. “The kids need a nice, safe, green space to play, to grow, and to burn off energy- and there’s nowhere close by- the road is too busy for the kids to play in the front yard,” says Scarmazzi. Brain Virgin says the board’s denial to call it a vacant lot is a “good start,” but he hopes to see the township improve it. “I’d like to see the park get restored to the little jewel it once was in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” says Virgin.