State funds will help transform reservoirs
The state is providing funds to Jackson Township's effort to turn old and unused reservoirs off Route 19 into a recreation area.
Plans were first hatched for the area in 2017 after the borough of Zelienople agreed to transfer ownership of the dried up reservoirs to the township, according to a multi-municipal recreation plan that was released through the borough, the township and Harmony borough.
The reservoirs are located just east, or behind, the Northgate Plaza shopping mall.
The transfer was made with the agreement that the unused ponds, which used to supply drinking water to the borough, would be turned into a new township park, according to the recreation plan.
And a grant for $120,00 through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will now be used to begin the transformation process of the three reservoirs, according to an announcement from the state organization.The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding. The awarded funds will go toward the creation of a parking area, a trail, a boardwalk and the installation of “play equipment.” It will be handicapped accessible and landscaping will be provided.The reservoir has not been tapped by Zelienople for several years since the borough began using water lines connecting to Beaver County.In 2017, when the borough transferred the 24-acre former Zelienople reservoir property to Jackson Township, an agreement was made to develop soccer fields, a loop trail, picnic and play areas and parking, according to an Eagle report from the time. The trail was originally planned to connect into adjoining trail networks, including the Harmony Trail, if additional rights of way or easements are acquired, according to the earlier report.The township official in charge of the project was unavailable for comment Friday.At the time, the agreement was for the reservoir basin closest to the Connoquenessing Creek to be developed into a fishing pond enhanced with plantings, but remaining in an open natural state. According to the report, township residents said the pond was used for fishing before the reservoirs were drained.Native tree plantings are planned as a riparian buffer along Scholar's Run. A portion of borough property adjoining Route 19 and the Connoquenessing Creek also will be gifted to the Wild Waterways Conservancy to be used as trails and natural settings along the creek area.The recreation plan also proposed two soccer fields being built in the future park. So far, the top two reservoir basins have been filled with dirt for the soccer fields that currently have goal posts. Below that there is a gravel parking lot.And the bottom basin closest to the creek still has water in it, serving as home to wildlife, including ducks, birds, butterflies and fish.According to the Eagle report, Jackson Township committed to an annual contribution of $38,750 for four years to the park, totaling $155,000, and is focusing on the long-term planning of complementary regional facilities within the township.At the time, the transfer of the defunct reservoirs was hailed as a first step in a larger plan to bring more recreational and outdoor activities to the area. It was marked as the beginning of a joint effort by the two municipalities to improve upon those goals.Don Pepe, Zelienople borough's manager, said that over the years efforts between the local governments have been made to add more recreational options.“It's part of a more regionalized recreational strategy. Jackson became part of our park system through this,” Pepe said. “You're able to spread whatever cost you have. It's becoming more that the boundaries aren't important and it's moving toward the quality of facilities and what they offer. That's the way it should be.”
