HARRISVILLE — Upgrades in the borough's park are getting closer to reality after the approval of two grants.

In October, the Butler County commissioners approved $137,166 from the 2019 Community Development Block Grant funds.

Part of the CDBG funds will be used as matching funds for the second grant for $86,800 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that was approved in November.

EADS Group's Zack Sampson, the borough's engineer, said part of the upgrade involves a “flushable” bathroom that will be a prefabricated concrete building.

“It'll be ADA accessible. It has a male and female side,” Sampson said. “There's also a drinking fountain on the outside.”

The other piece of the project is a walking trail that encircles the park.

“It'll connect the concession stand and some of the ball fields, bleacher areas and dugouts,” Sampson said.

Sampson said the trail work should be fairly simple. He said the contractors should not have to clear any trees.

“The park's a pretty open space right now. It's a matter of doing a little bit of leveling and installing the walkway,” Sampson said.

April Anschutz, former borough council president, said the upgrades to the park will increase its use by multiple generations.

“We feel like it's going to bring more people to our park because we're going to have the necessities that families like,” Anschutz said.

Lance Welliver, director of Butler County Parks and Recreation, said an estimated timeline for the project is unavailable at this time, but the earliest work could begin by late fall.

“Part of what we do is help them out to try to improve what they have existing or what they might have in their region,” Welliver said.

In addition to the borough's goals, American Legion Post 852 of Harrisville also has been eyeing another $40,000 improvement in the park.

Legion Commander Todd Rockburn said the organization has been raising money toward expanding and updating an existing ballfield.

The baseball field was named after Jim Bailey, who died in Vietnam during his third tour of duty, according to Rockburn.

Rockburn said the goal is to retain the name but also to dedicate the field to all veterans as a memorial field.

Rockburn said a lot of work is needed.

“It needs pretty much everything,” he said. “Just to do the infield, it has been estimated at $10,000.”

In addition to expanding the baseball's outfield to fit the requirements for 15- and 16-year- olds, Rockburn said the outfield fence and backstop also need to be replaced. He said the field has never had dugouts, but they are included in the new design, along with bleachers for fans.

Anyone who wishes to donate toward the field can contact the American Legion in Harrisville at 724-735-4413.