Connellsville residents propose mural; recreation staff outline summer programs and splash pad opening

During public comment at the May 20 Connellsville City Council meeting, residents presented two community-led projects and the parks and recreation report contained multiple summer program updates.

Mural proposal for South Pittsburgh Street: Michael Kaminski presented a proposal, sponsored by the Connellsville Lions Club, to paint a 67-foot-long, approximately 6-foot-high mural on a concrete retaining wall behind the Odd Fellows building on South Pittsburgh Street. The design, developed with muralist Randy Stewart, would depict the Great Allegheny Passage and include an illustration representing Connellsville. Kaminski said the Lions Club would accept donations and that the artist could paint in June or August depending on timing; he sought council permission to remove several parking meters along that wall so the artist could work.

Council response: Council members said they supported the idea in principle but could not remove parking meters that night because the mural request was not on the agenda. Officials asked Kaminski to email the design as a PDF for review; the council directed staff to place the item on the June 17 agenda so the meters could be removed if the council approves the mural then.

Recreation programs and properties: Recreation staff and public commenters described several summer efforts:

- Playground and staffing: The council approved hiring summer playground instructors (Gabby Woods and Kylie Cole). Staff said the recreation board plans six weeks of activities across five parks and will post schedules at the parks and on social media. Organizers asked whether equipment boxes could be stored at the fire hall; staff said they would coordinate policies and key access through the public works foreman and fire department.

- Facilities repairs: A roof repair for restrooms and a garage behind Dease Park was discussed; the Recreation Board received a quoted bid of $7,900 from Harris Construction Company and planned to vote on it at its next Rec Board meeting.

- Sports leagues: James Moore outlined proposals to launch 3-on-3 basketball, flag football (including a potential girls' high-school flag team), adult kickball and a ball-deck hockey program; staff advised him to coordinate scheduling around other park programming and to confirm insurance requirements with staff liaison Rita.

- Splash pad and accessibility: Council members and staff announced the Twelfth Street splash pad will open June 1, with hours and rules to be posted. Public works has installed signage and is finishing connectivity for cameras/internet at the park and expects bathrooms to be opened the same weekend. Separately, the boat-ramp extension project approved by council includes an ADA-accessible floating dock as part of the larger grant-funded plan; staff noted the dock may need removal if river levels rise.

Why it mattered: The mural and recreation plans are community-driven efforts that use donated labor and sponsorship. Council and staff emphasized the need for insurance, a formal application and departmental coordination before the city can remove meters, close streets or provide public property for projects.

Ending: Residents who brought forward proposals were told to submit designs and insurance to the city clerk and to appear on the June 17 agenda for formal consideration; recreation staff said they will continue coordinating schedules, insurance and volunteer clearances with the parks and public works departments.