SCRANTON — A major project to replace the dilapidated lakefront facilities at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. will soon begin after Lackawanna County commissioners approved a $1.6 million contract for the much-anticipated project.
Commissioners Thom Welby, Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak recently approved the pact with Wodock Construction LLC of Kingsley, with work at the park expected to commence next month and continue through the winter. The county will pay for the pending improvements with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, county Economic Development Director Tom Carlucci confirmed.
Originally named Finch Hill Park when it opened in 1977, the 840-acre park features a stocked lake for swimming and fishing, a beach for sunbathing, mountain biking and hiking trails, and athletic fields. One of four parks in the county parks system, Merli-Sarnoski got its current name in 1978 when commissioners renamed it to honor World War II veterans and Medal of Honor recipients Gino Merli and Joseph R. Sarnoski.
The pavillion and the bath house building at the beach is seen at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The project to bolster the park’s beach area entails the full removal of the aging pavilion and bath house facilities along the lakeshore and the construction of a brand new facility complete with a community room, restrooms, a lifeguard station and a new pavilion. The existing playground near the beach area will remain.
“I think they’re going to be starting in the first half of August with the demo, but the goal will be to get the bulk of work done in the fall so they can finish interior work in the winter with a goal of being open for the … start of the season next year,” county Parks and Recreation Director Paul Bechtel said in a phone interview. “The full park will remain open (during the project) except the lake shore. There might be temporary closures as needed for construction equipment.”
Yellow tape restrics access to the bath house building at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The pavillion near the beach is seen at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The playground is seen at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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Yellow tape restrics access to the bath house building at Merli-Sarnoski Park in Fell Twp. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Commissioners Welby and Gaughan touted the planned upgrades to the Upvalley asset last week before commissioners unanimously approved the Wodock Construction contract.
“Today is one of those days that reminds us what local government is supposed to do,” Gaughan said. “When I took office in 2024 I made a commitment to the people of Lackawanna County that we would invest in the places that families actually use, not just talk about them. This project is one of those promises becoming a reality.”
He called Merli-Sarnoski Park “one of the true treasures of Lackawanna County,” a sentiment shared by other officials.
“For nearly 50 years generations of families have learned to swim there, they’ve caught fish there, they hiked its trails, they gathered under its pavilions and they made memories that have lasted a lifetime, but unfortunately the bath house structure that is up there has simply outlived its useful life, and that’s putting it extremely mildly,” Gaughan continued. “So today we’re taking an important step toward replacing that aging facility with a modern, safe, fully-ADA-accessible building that will better serve every resident who visits that park.”
Welby, for his part, called the planned park improvements “just an incredible project.”
Chermak endorsed the project in a phone interview this week.
“It’s been a long time coming up there and that park needs some attention, so this will be a huge benefit once we get that finished up,” he said, noting he’d like to explore corporate sponsorships, naming rights or some kind of similar arrangement to help defray maintenance and other costs associated with the county parks system more broadly.
Carlucci and Bechtel, meanwhile, also touted the Merli-Sarnoski project.
“In addition to creating construction jobs in the near term, this investment modernizes one of the county’s signature parks, enhances the visitors’ experience and supports tourism and community events — and preserves I think a valuable public asset that contributes to the county’s long-term economic vitality and quality of life,” Carlucci told the commissioners. “We’re excited for this one.”
Bechtel called Merli-Sarnoski “a hidden gem.”
“The park deserves to have a nice, modern facility,” he said.