Murrysville accepts Sardis Park

Murrysville is getting a new park, and a new recreation director will be tasked with bringing it into the fold.

Murrysville council voted unanimously last week to start the process of taking on Sardis Park, a 10-acre parcel in northern Murrysville. And once it is the responsibility of the municipality, it will fall under the supervision of newly appointed recreation director Carly Greene.

Greene, who initially was brought in during 2011 as a special-events/recreation-program coordinator, will be paid $48,275 per year and will be evaluated after a six-month probationary period.

She is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a major in parks and recreation and also is a retired Marine Corps staff sergeant who served 11 years in the military.

The board of directors that manages the private park approached municipal officials because its members are getting older and experiencing more difficulty coming up with funding for park maintenance.

Murrysville chief executive Jim Morrison said two deeds for the park property will need to be researched, along with an easement for a private-service natural-gas supply line.

In addition, the main access to the park is by way of a private road, Rocky Hill Lane. Municipal staff will have to identify any access limitations.

Morrison said the municipality likely will buy a tractor mower owned by the park board for about $3,000.

Capital expenses to maintain and update the park are expected to amount to roughly $60,000 over the next five years.

Patrick Varine is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-871-2365 or pvarine@tribweb.com.