Richland Borough reopens revitalized park after $1M project with DCNR grant and local donations
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Summary
Richland Borough officials and volunteers opened a renovated neighborhood park funded by a $550,000 DCNR grant, ARPA funds and roughly $80,000 in private donations; project added ADA surfacing, pickleball courts, pavilions and a story walk.
Richland Borough Council President Kelly Brooker thanked Lebanon County Commissioners on Aug. 7 for a DCNR grant and recounted a community-led revitalization of Doctor Mollman Field that combined a $550,000 Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant, remaining ARPA funds and about $80,000 in business donations.
Brooker said the roughly $1 million project updated playground equipment, installed poured-in-place (poured-in-place) safety surfacing that improves accessibility for very young children, added two pickleball courts, permanent cornhole boards, pavilions and a story-walk collaboration with the library. She said the park's pavilion has hosted multiple rentals and a grand-opening event drew an estimated 250 residents.
Brooker described the park's namesake, Dr. Ernest Otto Mollman, a longtime town physician, and noted members of the Mollman family attended the opening. She credited local contractors and donors and said the borough formed a recreation committee in April to help run events and programming.
Commissioners congratulated Brooker and the community on the project. Brooker said the total project cost was about $1,000,000, including the DCNR contribution and donations. Commissioners encouraged residents to visit the park and noted the county welcomes community leaders who steward grant dollars effectively.