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Parks advisory board approves 18‑item project priority list, places tree canopy, trail connectivity and McNeely Park at top
Summary
The Mount Lebanon Parks and Recreation Advisory Board finalized and unanimously approved an 18‑item prioritized projects list for the 2027 budget cycle, placing a tree‑canopy/adult‑exercise project first, trail connectivity second and McNeely Park development third.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Wednesday approved an 18‑item priority list to guide its 2027 budget recommendations, placing a tree‑canopy/adult exercise project at No. 1, trail connectivity No. 2 and McNeely Park development No. 3.
The board’s chair read the completed list aloud and a member moved to approve it; after a second the board approved the list by voice vote. The approved top 10 (in order) were: tree canopy/adult exercise, trail connectivity, McNeely Park development, ice‑rink railing replacement, backstops, tennis center deck repairs, invasive species management/forest plan implementation, Bird Park restrooms and storm shelter, pickleball bench seating, and golf course fencing. The full 18 items were confirmed during the same motion.
Members debated two high‑ticket items at length: McNeely Park, discussed as a multi‑field expansion with a figure cited in the meeting as about $7.8 million for a large build, and a rec center renovation whose options the board estimated between $20 million and as high as $30–40 million depending on plan scope. Several members argued McNeely would add playing field capacity the township lacks; others cautioned the cost and constructability issues (sewer easements and excavation) and recommended phasing.
Trail connectivity drew broad support as a relatively lower‑cost, scalable project that could be phased; staff indicated the listing in the packet shows a $96 figure for a multi‑segment implementation (the board discussed breaking that total into phased amounts for clarity). Members said scalable notes would help the commissioners understand options for incremental funding.
Staff and members also discussed smaller, maintenance‑oriented items that landed in the top 18, including tennis center deck repairs (noted to be leaking into the first floor), ice‑rink railing replacement for safety, and Bird Park restroom/ storm shelter improvements. Staff described recent maintenance work across parks and said contractors are scheduled for fencing and light replacement projects.
The board directed staff to forward the approved priority list to the municipal commissioners as the advisory body’s recommendation for the 2027 budgeting cycle. The board set its next meeting for Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. and adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
