The biggest stride this week was a rough excavation of the ground where the new aquatic center will be located and the now-demolished old sports courts. The aquatic center will feature an olympic-sized pool with a larger low-entry pool, a bigger pool house, a modern locker room, bathroom and concession facilities.

Other Phase 2 work completed this week included the installation of erosion control measures and completed surveying stakeout — the process of physically marking on the ground the locations of planned construction features based on survey data and design plans.

While Phase 1 was expected to be wrapped up by May 29, projects within the phase are still ongoing. They include finalizing court coatings, court equipment installation, pavement striping at the dog park parking arena, completion of the amphitheater (sidewalk connections, railings and additional masonry work).

According to Norfolk Southern, “target substantial completion” for the first phase was “pushed back due to weather and material delivery delays” to next week with a final walk-through of Phase 2 tentatively set for July 14.

The old sports courts have been demolished and the ground excavated in preparation of construction for the new aquatic center. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

Phase 1 work on the storm basin is also expected to be completed soon as the basin is deemed dry enough. The installation of baffles — barriers, either porous or nonporous, installed to improve sediment capture and control water flow — were delayed due to rain. Phase 2 piping for the storm and sanitary sewers is projected to be complete in the next 30 days.

Phase 1 work completed alongside Phase 2 this week included pouring of the concrete stage ramp, installation of backstop fencing, and new sports courts coatings and fencing.

As for the demolitions of the existing pool and the wooden playground Rainbow Dreamland, which will be replaced by three new playgrounds in the approved park plans, the process has started. The playground is already being dismantled (with the memorial plaques saved) while concrete around the pool has already been demolished and some parts of the old pool house torn down.

Work hours at the park are approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with construction areas secured and off-limits to non-authorized personnel for safety reasons. The parking lot between the current tennis courts and the existing pool building will serve as the primary work and laydown area. Other facilities and areas may be briefly closed as needed for safety during demolition and construction. Traffic has been rerouted.

The overall project, funded by Norfolk Southern and to be completed in three phases, is expected to complete by Summer of 2026.

Landscaping work at the East Palestine Park includes the planting of new trees as the $25 million project to renovate the park continues. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

There has been no start date announced for Phase 3. That last phase initially was to include playground construction, renovations to the brick pavilion and community center and parking lot expansion, but with the project over $3 million — thanks to the project’s design fee absorbed by the village under the terms of East Palestine’s settlement with the railroad — cuts will have to be made to that phase to stay under the $25 million cap. No decision on those cuts have been made yet. The village promised to collect feedback from the community before committing to any changes related to the final approved plans.

Rainbow Dreamland is the process of being dismantled as Phase 2 of the $25 million to revamp east Palestine park is underway. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)