The Grant Avenue Pocket Park or G.A.P.P. began as an idea from two residents Brian Wolovich and Tricia George. Brian and Tricia are active community members working hard to improve Millvale. The idea was presented to Eddie Figas the Main Street Manager and the Main Street Focus Group. The property which the park will sit on was actually two pieces of property, one owned by the Borough and the other by the Millvale Borough Development Corporation (MBDC). Both the MBDC and Borough agreed to dedicate the land to a park in an attempt to spur revitalization in the Main Street District. The Borough and MBDC feel that the GAPP is a positive effort to provide a passive recreational area within the Main Street District on property that is not utilized.

 

The MBDC then hired Hometown Planning and Design to conduct public meetings and generate a design for the GAPP based on the meetings. With the support and donations form Council and the MBDC and a designer a local non-profit New Sun Rising crafted a Grant to Community Connections an initiative of Pittsburgh 250 for $5,000 which was awarded in December 2007. Next the Borough and MBDC applied to Allegheny County for a $10,000 Grant which was awarded in March 2008.

 

The MBDC and Millvale Main Street held three public meetings from January through May of 2008. The meetings resulted in the final design of the GAPP and put in place a real opportunity for the community to make the GAPP a reality.

 

Moving forward the Borough, MBDC and Millvale Main Street hope to engage volunteers and local businesses to create the GAPP. Red Star Ironworks is designing a gate, fence and possibly ammenities for the GAPP. We hope to engage residents  and other local business to volunteer and donate goods or services. If you can provide something on the needs list or can volunteer labor please sign up below.

 

BECOME A GAPP VOLUNTEER or DONOR