LOCK HAVEN — City staff are continuing to make moves to improve public parks within Lock Haven.

On Monday night, council approved three recommendations by staff to complete improvements to Hoberman Park and take steps towards updating Hanna Park.

The first item approved was a resolution to apply for a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for Hanna Park improvements.

Roberts said, if approved, the city would provide a required match — coming to $150,000 — using CDBG funds from 2023 and 2024. In total the project could see $300,000 in funding.

Roberts said the Hanna Park project would include at least two phases, with this funding mainly for phase 1.

“We will propose renovations to the park restrooms, construction of a basketball court as well as a walking path,” Robert said. “We foresee this being the first of two phases with just how large the park is and the work that does need done.”

The first phase will include a feasibility study to see if certain community suggestions — like a splash pad, workout path and future pavilions — are viable.

“This is based on community feedback from a couple of surveys, as well as an event held at the pickleball courts in September,” Roberts said.

Council Member Jeff Brinker asked if the proposed upgrades would include improvements to the playground and equipment located at Hanna Park and which phase that may take place.

“(The equipment) will more than likely be taken out in phase one. We’re working on another grant program (to) apply to get the playground work — we know that it’s used a lot. We’ll make sure it’s there,” she said.

Council Member Steve Stevenson asked if the project would include improvements to the roadway that runs through the park along with a parking area.

“It’s in really bad shape,” Stevenson said.

Roberts said the roadway was referenced in the surveys and that it will be looked into.

“We’ll see how much we have in phase one — I’m still working on the estimate with the engineers,” she said. “The public works superintendent is aware of it and we’re looking into other material that could be used for that.”

City Manager Gregory Wilson said the city has been unsuccessful in being awarded a Parks and Recreation Grant to fix that road.

“But it’s still something that would be part of the overall plan for the improvements of the park,” he said.

The resolution was passed unanimously by all members of council.

Next on the agenda were two proposed rebids for Hoberman Park’s final improvements.

According to Planner I Carter Simcox, the rebid process for the first phase saw the city save about $200,000.

The rebids were split into two phases.

Simcox said the low bids for phase one came in at $955,867.45 and broken down as: $838,566.65 for general construction; $2,301.80 for HVAC; $46,174 for plumbing; and $68,825 for electrical.

The second phase’s lowest bid totaled $526,477.95.

Both sets of bids are contingent upon approval from DCNR and SEDA-COG, Simcox said.

With the bids approved, Roberts said Hoberman Park’s upgrades should be done by August, with construction slated for summer.

“We will have a ribbon cutting ceremony as well,” she said.

Phase one, she said, will be on the east side of the park.

This phase includes repaving the parking area, installing a rainwater retention pond — with raised garden beds to be placed nearby, new restrooms, rotating the T-ball field so it and the Little League field’s home plates are next to each other and rehabilitating the fencing around the Little League field.

Phase two, which will happen at the same time, will include the installation of a multi-purpose court, basketball court, walking path and rehabilitating the other parking lot.

Also included in either phase is the installation of pavilions, park benches and a Little Library.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Roberts said.

Both bids were approved unanimously by council.