There is a special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Wednesday, May 11. The purpose is to brainstorm ideas on how to improve Gilfillan Park and make it a better community park, not just a neighborhood park.

The discussion to enhance Gilfillan Park, located across the street from the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department, began years ago. However, no action has been taken.

Some of the past ideas include more preservation, more flowers and more trails. The Parks and Recreation Board members seem to agree that no sporting fields or pools should be created on the property.

"Parking will be an issue," they said at the April 26 meeting. Right now park patrons tend to use the Westminster Presbyterian Church's parking lot.

The Upper St. Clair Board of Commissioners gave the charge to the Parks and Recreation Board on April 25. The commissioners hope to have a report back from the advisory board in July or August. They are requesting a list of prioritized improvements that includes the benefits for citizens, the timeline and the cost.

However, the commissioners said no tax money is to be used in the park improvements. The money will come from a trust. 

The Parks and Recreation Board expressed concern over the three month deadline.

"We're talking about 60 acres in Upper St. Clair. I think it's really important to have a good process at our level. It's important to get it right," board member Thomas Browand said.

Members hope community members with a variety ideas will attend Wednesday night's brainstorming meeting to help start the park improvement process. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the community rooms at the Community and Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park.

Gilfillan Farm Open House

Upper St. Clair residents are invited to the Gilfillan Farm Open House on Saturday, May 21 during the township's Community Day.

From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the public can "step back into Western Pennsylvania farm life of the late 1800s." There will be a number of farm activities provided, including horse drawn wagon rides, a petting zoo, sheep sheering and cow milking demonstrations and narrated tours of the Gilfillan house.

The open house is sponsored by the Upper St. Clair Historical Society. They are asking for a $5 donation.