More accessibility and overall improvements to five McCandless parks will be aided by a recent grant of $98,931 from the state.

The award, through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, will help fund the town’s parks master site development plan and town trail feasibility study.

“The town is excited for this funding opportunity to assess the town’s existing park and recreation facilities for usage, accessibility, orientation and safety,” said town manager Brian O’Malley.

The parks and recreation master plan will work in conjunction with the town’s comprehensive plan, which focuses heavily on trail and walkability planning, said Jason Singer, town council president.

“This funding will help the town properly budget and plan appropriately for the future,” he said.

In addition, the current recreation and park areas in McCandless will be studied, including Potter Park on Harmony Road, Devlin Park and recreational areas around Town Hall, Vestal Park on Vestal Park Lane, Vincentian Recreation Complex at the Vincentian Academy, and Wall Park on Sloop Lane, the last of which recently completed field renovations and trail work.

Additionally, community members — including residents, facility users and athletic associations — will be able to offer input on all five existing park sites as to what is missing and needed, seeking opportunities for non sport-related, family-oriented recreational opportunities, O’Malley said.

He expects the community input process to take place throughout this year and possibly 2025, depending on the timeline.

“We are eager to start the development of this project and will soon be developing a request for proposal to seek the appropriate consultant or consultants to conduct the plan,” O’Malley said. “The town will be responsible for 15% of the cost of the creation of the plan.”

He thanked state Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-West View, and state Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, for their support in the grant process.

The trail planning concept that would be part of the project seeks ways to improve trails or walkable options to park facilities, he said.

The grant also will aid studying a community-wide trail network to connect town parks, North Park and other community destinations, including connections to existing trails, such as Harmony Trail and the Rachel Carson Trail, according to the Town of McCandless website.

McCandless will be looking for potential land to help aid park accessibility and improvements.

“This project will evaluate properties within the town to assess any available property acquisition options to see if the town can provide additional recreational opportunities within walking distance to more McCandless residents,” Jack Casey, council vice president, said.

Any potential property acquisitions would be based on public input and depend on availability of land for purchase or donation. During the development of master park plans, municipalities often look for smaller park options that would offer closer amenities to more residents, per the town.

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