Bailey Park needs your help
Bailey Park has its fans, and they are rooting for a revival of play at the old ballyard.
A case in point is the pastor of Asbury Methodist Church, Don Kephart. After a recent column on the sorry state of the city’s ball diamonds, I heard from the pastor of the church which is next door to Bailey Park.
Here is what he said, beginning with what he thinks has gone off track with the park:
“A walking trail (of) limestone chips was put in place a couple of years ago around the outfield of the larger field.
“Within a few weeks, a large pile of dirt was placed over the trail blocking access behind the smaller field. For most of this year it has been left to overgrown weeds.
“A new concession stand was built … I spoke to a man who was painting the doors about a month ago. He shared with me that the contractor was finishing up electrical and painting work because he did not want to see it go to ruin.
“The park is often overrun with litter and garbage that blows on to the Asbury property. Animals are also dumped there and it is not uncommon to find used condoms strewn about.
“Summer workers are there, but it seems they do very little except mow the weeds.”
The pastor then added, “All of this is very frustrating as the park has so much potential.”
I heard from a parent who ended his email to me with a plea for action that would “resurrect” Bailey Park.
I also received an email from a local girls’ league volunteer.
Referring to Bailey Park, this person wrote:
“We use the field down there for make up games from time to time. When we use the field it is basically a select few of us that have to go down there and cut the grass and weed whack to make it presentable at all.”I’m telling you I could use that field. I just hate sending people there because of how bad it is. I don’t know the answer but I’m willing to help in any way I can.”
Uniontown mayor Bernie Kasievich weighed in, saying in essence that he was doing his “best” to get Bailey Park in shape. He stated in an August email:
“I started in January and had a large agenda, limited help (and) money and a whole city to work on.
“I’ve heard so many stories about why the park hasn’t been finished that at this point it doesn’t even matter. What matters is it’s taxpayers’ money, and the park needs finished.
“For the past several weeks (I have) taken attention to the park with again limited people and funds.
“In the past several weeks we brought in a (bull)dozer and leveled several mounds of dirt, graded the hillside … took out several trees, removed rocks and debris, removed weeds around the play area and put mulch down.
“(We also) graded … under one bleacher and mulched it, graded the road … put a lock on the dumpster because people where throwing junk in it.
“Also a church group came in and painted the benches and pavilion.
“We ran into some obstacles that slowed us down … such as heavy poison in weeded areas that we sprayed … to save money.”
The mayor said that he “forgot to add we graded (an) area next to the fence line.”
He finished pretty much like this: “I … know a lot needs done yet and I’m trying. I just wish someone would notice the positive of what’s taken place.”
During a telephone conversation on Wednesday, the mayor questioned this focus on Bailey Park, insisting, “I’m trying to do the right thing.”
He offered a tart “no comment” to the question of whether or not baseball might be played at Bailey Park next summer. “It’s a work in progress,” he said.
These days people want instant results. They are impatient. But there is no magic wand that can be used to wave away obstacles. Progress is often slow. Patience is often called for. Understanding is essential. In that sense, the mayor deserves our sympathy.
Uniontown, largely shorn of its tax base as businesses and middle income families have moved to the townships, is hardly able to support the sort of robust recreation program that once flourished there.
That said, Bailey Park is a jewel — an expansive playground close to the center of town — that must not be lost. It’s a unique place that can yet nourish generations of kids. To realize the park’s potential, Uniontown needs friends, partners, volunteers, benefactors of all kinds. And city officials need to make Bailey Park a priority, making certain to search out collaborative relationships whenever possible.
Richard Robbins lives in Uniontown and is the author of two books — “Grand Salute: Stories of the World War II Generation” and “Our People.” He can be reached at grandsalutebook@gmail.com.