Trib Live: By Rich Cholodofsky

Cedar Creek Park is getting a little bigger.

Westmoreland County will purchase 28 acres next to the Rostraver park from a private landowner, said Malcolm Sias, director of the county's Department of Parks and Recreation.

“We're not building any more parks, so when you get a chance to add to what we have, we do it,” Sias said.

The county will pay $140,000 for the property using a $70,000 state grant and funding from the Westmoreland Land Trust.

Sias declined to name the sellers until the closing is complete.

“The property owners wanted this land to remain natural and be part of the park,” Sias said.

The acreage is farmland atop Turtle Creek Gorge and will serve as a buffer between the park and its neighbors. The property abuts the park's radio-controlled model aircraft area, which might be expanded, Sias said.

Officials indicated that no plans have been made regarding how the new land will be used, but, initially, it will be planted with trees and grass, and serve as a natural area with walking trails.

In addition to the model plane area, the park has 19 picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, ball fields and access to the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage.

Sias said the county plans to install an area for dogs at the park this year.

The purchase will expand Cedar Creek Park to 480 acres. Sias said Cedar Creek is the second most-visited location in the county's system, which has 10 parks and five trails.

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