Saxonburg Rotary holds groundbreaking for planned playground
SAXONBURG — By the end of the year, Saxonburg’s Roebling Park on Rebecca Street will have a brand-new addition — a playground conceived and funded by the Saxonburg Area Rotary Club.
The Rotary held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the playground at Roebling Park on Wednesday night, July 23. According to the Rotary, this will be the first playground ever constructed in the borough, which was incorporated all the way back in 1846.
The Rotary first brought their idea for a playground to the idea of the borough council in April 2024. Roebling Park — which also features the Saxonburg Museum and the mini-Brooklyn Bridge replica — was one of a few sites that were considered.
“We tossed a few spots around, but finally, the borough offered this area,” said Phil Wain, president of the Rotary Club. “This is a beautiful park that we have here. This just seemed like the natural place, and it’s a park that everyone can come and enjoy.”
“I want to thank the Rotary for persevering through the project,” said borough council president Aaron Piper, who was one of the three who put a shovel in the ground for the ceremonial groundbreaking. “I'm really excited for what it's going to do for the community.”
Initially, the Rotary reached an agreement with the borough to build on a vacant, 0.18-acre plot of land along West Main Street, which was once the site of the borough’s water tower. However, those plans were quickly abandoned, as the small size of the lot meant that the Rotary would have to compromise on their vision for the playground.
“Up there, we were going to need retaining walls,” Wain said. “It was a much smaller space, and we couldn’t put even half the things into the playground that we could do here. Here, we have so much more space, so there’s going to be a lot more for the kids to play on.”
The Rotary is also emphasizing inclusiveness in the design of the playground, as Rotary member Karen Antoszyk said before the ceremonial groundbreaking.
“This playground has a large portion that will focus on autistic children,” Antoszyk said. “One of the items is called the ‘tranquillity corner.’”
A tranquillity corner is a feature offered by Miracle Recreation, the equipment supplier for the playground, which gives overstimulated children a space to calm down.
Although the ceremonial groundbreaking took place on Wednesday night, Wain says that the actual breaking of ground for the playground is expected to take place in early to mid-August, with completion expected in late September or early October.
“We already have the contract signed with the playground company,” Wain said. “We’re going to do the groundwork and the prep work. Once that’s all prepared, then a company’s going to come in and do all the installation for the floor, and then all the equipment will be put in.”
The estimated budget for the playground is about $160,000. Wain says that the Saxonburg Rotary has already put $75,000 of its own money toward funding the playground, and is looking for donations from the public to cover the remainder.
“We’re starting the project already because someone’s been gracious enough to loan us the money, and then we’re going to pay the loan back with donations,” Wain said. “We’re going to move forward even without all the funding in place because we have the money loaned to us already.”
To help cover the remaining cost, the Rotary has invited the public to purchase personalized fence slats for $175, which would cover the perimeter of the playground area. The proceeds would go toward funding the project.