Planning commission urges council to allow Point Park University use of Green Tree Park baseball field

The Green Tree Borough Planning Commission asked borough council on Sept. 8 to approve continued use of a baseball field in Green Tree Park by Point Park University.

Planning commission representative Christine Short read the body’s written recommendation to council, saying, “we believe that this project represents the most effective long term use of the space and delivers broad benefits to the borough and its residents.” The commission’s letter — prepared by Planning Commission Chair Jessica Swish and submitted to council — argues the partnership would deliver community, educational and financial benefits while avoiding a borough capital expense.

The planning commission told council the site is underused for other purposes identified in the borough’s 10-year comprehensive plan, and that residents’ feedback showed “this is the most popular and widely supportive use of the site.” The recommendation says Point Park would fully fund turfing of the field, creating a low‑maintenance surface and improved access for Green Tree Athletic Association teams and Keystone Oaks School District programs. The letter also proposes conditions for community benefit, including shared field scheduling so borough youth teams and the Keystone Oaks teams retain access, signage that identifies the field as part of Green Tree Park and exploration of youth clinics or revenue‑sharing opportunities for paid clinics.

Council members who attended the planning commission meetings confirmed the commission followed its normal process and returned a recommendation within the 30‑day window after referral. Mayor Schenck and council members thanked the planning commission for its work; no council action to approve or deny the recommendation was recorded at the Sept. 8 meeting.

The planning commission’s proposal also asked the borough to reexamine other park fields (Aiken 1 and Aiken 2 and Wilson Field) for future conversions or netting at Wilson Field and to limit any borough spending on the project to planning and engineering studies, with the majority of capital cost borne by Point Park and external grants. The commission letter suggested the partnership could attract visiting teams and tournaments and provide economic benefits to local businesses.

Council members and staff signaled they will consider the recommendation as part of upcoming agenda and permitting steps; the recommendation was entered into the record and will be available to council for any future vote or to form permit/agreement language.

If council moves forward with an agreement later, the recommendation proposes that the borough require shared‑use scheduling, community signage and a funding plan that prioritizes university contributions and outside grants rather than borough capital outlay.