Kennedy Township residents push back against proposed Fairhaven Park land sale

Residents of Kennedy Township are voicing strong opposition to the potential sale of 20 undeveloped acres in Fairhaven Park, where township commissioners have received bids from four developers to build more than 30 homes. “Kennedy Township doesn’t have a lot of green space. And now they’re going to take probably some of the last remaining green space out of here,” said Bill Wills, a resident. Fairhaven Park has been part of the township since 1951. Wills said deed records show the land was intended for park use only. “We found out with the deeds that this land was given to the park for the present residents and future residents for park use only,” Wills said. Wills has started a petition, which has gathered more than 1,000 signatures, and hired a lawyer to challenge the sale, arguing that the land must remain designated as park land. If the sale moves forward, residents say the development would have a significant impact on nearby streets, specifically Park Place and Julia Lane. “These small country roads weren’t built for all this traffic, to be honest with you. And we kind of moved back here to be away from it a little bit. I can’t imagine construction trucks, concrete trucks, coming up and down here,” said Jeff Mathews, who lives on Park Place. “They’re going to bring the homes right in behind the people and take all the woods out,” said Wills, who lives on Julia Lane. In a statement, the township said the land was acquired through unpaid taxes, not a charitable donation, which they say allows them to sell it. “The Township’s objective is not to reduce recreational opportunities, but rather to heavily reinvest the value of property that has proven impractical to develop over the years improvements that will directly benefit residents through upgraded park facilities while also strengthening the community’s tax base,” the statement read. That explanation has not satisfied residents. “He wants to be known as the man that keeps our taxes low. We are asking to be the man who saved our park,” Wills said. “This is a very close-knit community, Park Place. We’re going to keep it that way. We’ll fight to the end to keep it that way,” said Tom Egan, another resident. Township commissioners are scheduled to meet Thursday at 6 p.m., and many residents plan to attend in opposition.Wills has started a petition and a GoFundMe.

MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. —

Residents of Kennedy Township are voicing strong opposition to the potential sale of 20 undeveloped acres in Fairhaven Park, where township commissioners have received bids from four developers to build more than 30 homes.

“Kennedy Township doesn’t have a lot of green space. And now they’re going to take probably some of the last remaining green space out of here,” said Bill Wills, a resident.

Fairhaven Park has been part of the township since 1951. Wills said deed records show the land was intended for park use only.

“We found out with the deeds that this land was given to the park for the present residents and future residents for park use only,” Wills said.

Wills has started a petition, which has gathered more than 1,000 signatures, and hired a lawyer to challenge the sale, arguing that the land must remain designated as park land.

If the sale moves forward, residents say the development would have a significant impact on nearby streets, specifically Park Place and Julia Lane.

“These small country roads weren’t built for all this traffic, to be honest with you. And we kind of moved back here to be away from it a little bit. I can’t imagine construction trucks, concrete trucks, coming up and down here,” said Jeff Mathews, who lives on Park Place.

“They’re going to bring the homes right in behind the people and take all the woods out,” said Wills, who lives on Julia Lane.

In a statement, the township said the land was acquired through unpaid taxes, not a charitable donation, which they say allows them to sell it.

“The Township’s objective is not to reduce recreational opportunities, but rather to heavily reinvest the value of property that has proven impractical to develop over the years improvements that will directly benefit residents through upgraded park facilities while also strengthening the community’s tax base,” the statement read.

That explanation has not satisfied residents.

“He wants to be known as the man that keeps our taxes low. We are asking to be the man who saved our park,” Wills said.

“This is a very close-knit community, Park Place. We’re going to keep it that way. We’ll fight to the end to keep it that way,” said Tom Egan, another resident.

Township commissioners are scheduled to meet Thursday at 6 p.m., and many residents plan to attend in opposition.

Wills has started a petition and a GoFundMe.