City of Walkhaven plans $735K skate park project through CDBG CV application

The Lock Haven City Council held its second and final public hearing on July 11, 2022, to discuss the city’s application for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CV competitive program. The meeting focused on the proposed projects that the city intends to submit for funding, inviting comments from attendees both in person and online.

The city plans to apply for a total of $735,000, primarily to fund the construction of a new skate park at Coleman Park, which is the only skate park in Lock Haven. The proposed budget for this project is $728,018, reflecting a significant increase from an earlier estimate of $450,000. This increase is attributed to a comprehensive design process that involved community engagement through meetings and surveys.

The need for a new skate park was emphasized, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heightened the demand for recreational spaces. The current skate park's conditions have made it challenging for users to maintain proper social distancing while enjoying the facility.

In addition to the skate park, the application includes $6,900 allocated for administrative costs, which remains below the administrative cap for such projects. The city’s population, as per the 2015 American Community Survey, is approximately 7,835 residents, with 8.2% identified as low-income.

City officials encouraged public participation, inviting any further comments or questions to be submitted in writing after the meeting. The next steps include seeking city council approval for the application during the regular meeting scheduled for July 25, 2022, followed by the submission of the application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development by August 1, 2022.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for any remaining questions regarding the CDBG competitive participation process, ensuring that community input remains a priority as the city moves forward with its application.