Under construction: Veterans park project begins in Rockwood

Eric Kieta, The Daily American
·2 min read

Rockwood officials are moving forward with the first phase of its community and veterans memorial park.

Borough Council Vice President Larry Mazer said that approximately $160,000 has been raised so far. They have received donations and grants for the first of four phases to the Rockwood Veterans Memorial & Community Park, which is to be located at Market Street and Water Level Road beside the town's war memorial.

The site is the former location of Merchants Hotel and the Buckman House, which were torn down in 2015.

Rockwood Veterans Memorial & Community Park committee President Dan Brant, center, points Friday to where the park's gazebo is to be built at Market Street and Water Level Road. Also pictured are Rockwood Borough Council Vice President Larry Mazer, left, and committee member Kirby Barclay.
Rockwood Veterans Memorial & Community Park committee President Dan Brant, center, points Friday to where the park's gazebo is to be built at Market Street and Water Level Road. Also pictured are Rockwood Borough Council Vice President Larry Mazer, left, and committee member Kirby Barclay.

Initial work is to include signage, stormwater infrastructure and a retaining wall.

"It's for community functions," Mazer said during an interview at the site Friday. "Any community function obviously within reason."

Mazer added that the park could be used for special functions, such as decorations for the Christmas season.

Funding: Rockwood park, trail project land grants

Groundbreaking: Rockwood residents break ground on community park

More: Somerset County nonprofits receive more than $65K in grants

The project is estimated to cost $276,250. No completion date is yet set. Darr Construction, of Berlin, is the main contractor.

Park committee President Dan Brant said that the park can also affect town tourism.

"We're looking for people coming off the bike trail," Brant said of the Great Allegheny Passage, which has a stop in Rockwood. "It's kind of like putting Rockwood on the map."

The park is about five years in the making.

When completed, it is set to feature a gazebo, bike racks and a personalized engraved brick walkway.

So far, Mazer said, 350 bricks have been sold. The walkway can fit approximately 2,200 bricks.

The project is being coordinated in partnership with the Rockwood American Legion.

Brant said that a time capsule for the park is also in the works.

"We did good," he said of the park. "We are always looking for more contributions to finish this project."

For more information or to purchase a brick, call the borough office at 814-926-2833.

Follow Eric Kieta on Twitter at @EricKietaDA.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Contributions, brick purchases sought for completion of Rockwood park