CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Tom McConnell, president of the Clarion Blueprint Community, is pleased with the progress of the Second Avenue Multigenerational Park in Clarion.

The recent award of $683,311.50 reflects the progression of the first round of tax credits for the next phase of the park development.

“If everything goes as planned, by Christmas 2026, we’ll have people ice skating in the park,”  McConnell told exploreClarion.com.

“This covers next year’s phase, which includes building the park’s building that will house the bathrooms and the mechanical room for all needed for the skating rink and the splash pad, concession stands, a little eating area, and then locker rooms.”

The 2024-2025 Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) awarded the nonprofit Clarion County Adventures award. Administered through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), NAP provides tax credits to businesses contributing to nonprofit organizations’ efforts to revitalize communities.

The project’s business contributors include Korner Wholesale, American Precast Industries LLC, Clarion County Adventures, Farmers National Bank, FL Crooks and Co., First United National Bank, Grants for Growth LLC, Northwest Bank, S&T Bank, Terra Works, AARD, Kriebel Resources Co. LLC, Z Train Corp., and Seubert and Associates, Inc.

“The park is currently in the third development phase, including the two basketball courts and four pickleball courts,” McConnell explained. “We’ll have about 80 to 85 percent of the retaining walls finished, as well as the natural stone bleachers, two basketball and six pickleball courts, and then some lighting foundations.”

“The stuff that’s going on now should be completed this year. The only thing that might not be done is some of the seals for the sports courts, but everything else, like the bleachers and the walls, should be done.”

McConnell said there are two more phases after this one.

According to a press release from the DCED, the project will enhance health and community engagement by addressing the lack of recreational spaces and combating urban blight, aiming to increase local well-being and economic stability.