Summit Hill holds park design contest

Summit Hill is giving students from the borough a chance to design their own park.

The borough recreation commission is holding a design contest for a natural play area at Ginder Field, as part of an upcoming rehabilitation process for the park.

A natural play area is a space for all ages.

“It’s a play area where you use things like natural trees, boulders and hopping stones,” said Jodi McAndrew, president of the recreation commission.

The borough has invited borough residents age 18 and younger to submit their own ideas for the play area. It will be located on a triangular piece of land in the southwest corner of the park, behind the existing pavilion.

“It’s going to be their area,” McAndrew said.

The winner will not only have their idea brought to life, but their name will be posed on a plaque when the area is complete.

Projects should include the following features:

• 21 native plants and climbing-type trees

• A stone hopping path with stones measuring 24 inches

• Three large boulders

Students’ plans must be at least the size of a piece of copier paper, and no larger than 22 by 28 inches. Submissions will be accepted at he borough office. The deadline is at 4 p.m. Feb. 27.

Official entry forms can be found on Facebook at the “Summit Hill Recreation Commission” page.

The entries will be judged anonymously to ensure fairness, and groups or individuals are welcome to apply.

The borough has been looking into creating a natural area as part of the Ginder Field project. They have a state grant to help fund the rehabilitation.

This summer, work will begin on volleyball and bocce courts, a new entryway to the park, some playground equipment and the natural play area.

When it’s completed, the project will also include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking and walkways, a pavilion and a kitchenette for events.

“It’s going to be for people of all ages, from toddlers up to grandparents,” McAndrew said.