Westwood Council Considers Official Westvale Park Opening

With most of completed, members of the Westwood governing body began discussing when an official opening could occur during the council meeting Tuesday. They said they want to get a better idea of when the would be completed before picking a date, but said it wouldn't happen before September.

Council President Robert Miller said the governing body first had to decide what event would trigger the official opening.

"Should it be when they officially turn over the fields? Should it be when the fields are usable in August or some point after? Or should it be when it is complete, that being when the playground is there?" Miller asked. "Any of those, in my opinion, are options."

Councilman John J. Sciara said he believed it would be impractical to have the opening before summer vacation and suggested waiting until after Labor Day to ensure the most participation. Councilman William Phayre added that he wanted the opening to occur after all the sports teams are permitted to use the fields.

Mayor John Birkner Jr. suggested Saturday, Sept. 10 as a possible date for the opening. He said that way the weather would still be nice. Miller pointed out the playground wouldn't be complete by then and would likely be under construction.

"The area right around the stand will look anything but nice," Miller said. "It certainly won't represent what Westvale is all about."

Council members decided to wait to get a timetable for the playground before choosing a date.

Officials also need to decide what types of activities to include. All were in agreement Tuesday that it should be more than just a dedication and involve residents of all ages.

Birkner suggested asking the , , and volunteer organizations in the borough to participate, much like .

"Because those are really the people who built the park and the people who have been active in the process for so long and really been the inspiration for it, so we would want to give them the opportunity to set up an activity that might go along with it," Birkner said.

He proposed that council members discuss different options for opening day in committee and bring their suggestions to the full body at future council meetings.

The next Westwood council meeting is scheduled for June 21.