The Grant Avenue Pocket Park or G.A.P.P. began as an idea from two Millvale 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 Millvale Focus Group. The Focus Group embraced the project and began to organize the efforts to make sure the project would move forward.The first step was to get permission from the property owners to place a park-let on the site. The site was two sites 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 Economic Revitalization in the Millvale 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. The MBDC and Millvale Focus Group 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.
Next, a local non-profit New Sun Rising crafted a Grant to Community Connections an initiative of Pittsburgh 250 for $5,000 which was awarded to the GAPP project in December 2007. Then the Borough and MBDC applied to Allegheny County for a $10,000 Grant which was awarded in March 2008. The project stalled because of inflation of item costs. The Borough again approached Allegheny County and The Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) for additional funds to kick the project off. In 2009 ACED awarded Millvale an additional grant of $13,000 for a total award of $23,000.
In December of 2009 concrete was poured to cover the entrance to Girty's Run Creek making the site safe and ready for fill. The site will be prepped and should be ready for planting in May of 2010.
Moving forward the Borough, MBDC and Millvale Focus Group hope to engage volunteers and local businesses to create the GAPP. Red Star Ironworks is designing a gate, fence and possibly amenities for the GAPP. We hope residents and local businesses will volunteer and donate goods or services. If you can provide something on the needs list or can volunteer labor please sign up below.
