Coatesville, PA – July 29, 2025 –

On Monday morning, July 28, City Manager James Logan welcomed one hundred neighbors, stakeholders, government officials and guests to kick off the groundbreaking celebration for Phases I and II of a five-phase project to fully renovate Ash Park.

Since being founded nearly 100 years ago, Ash Park has served as the community’s most visited park by residents and visitors. It covers 9.3 acres and is a community hub in the heart of the City.

In 2019, the City collaborated with Natural Lands to prepare the Ash Park Master Plan, and the project received multi-million-dollar funding support from the PA Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), Community Project Funding from U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan and U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and Keystone Communities funding from State Senator Carolyn Comitta. The project was also funded in part by the Chester County Preservation Partnership program, Natural Lands and MCDC (Movement Community Development Corporation) with the help of Senator Casey and State Representative Dan Williams. Much of this funding would not have been possible without the collaboration and economic development expertise of Coleen Terry, Founder and President of ECON Partners, according to Logan.

The multi-million-dollar project went out to bid for design in July 2023. After careful review and completion of the bid process, Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) was selected to bring the new design of Ash Park to fruition.

Assistant City Manager Roberta Cosentino outlined the plans for the first two phases that are now underway. “A project of this magnitude happens with the collaboration of hundreds of people,” said Cosentino. “Today, as we celebrate the groundbreaking of Ash Park, we extend our gratitude to all who have helped the City secure funding and who have provided support and guidance throughout. Once the park is completed it will, without a doubt, be one of Chester County’s premiere community and family parks.”

With the design phase completed, significant development will occur over a four- to six-month period and include:

• Expanded play and recreation areas

• Renovated basketball courts including a new third court

• A vibrant splash pad to replace the pool, which has been

non-operational for more than a decade

• A new common area for gatherings

• Landscaping and stormwater infrastructure improvements

• New pavilion with seating area and restrooms

Future Phases III – V will address upgrades to the soccer field and playground and the construction of a new picnic-area pavilion.

“This park is an important part of the heart of Coatesville, and the City of Coatesville is a remarkably important part of the heart of Chester County,” said U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan. “It’s because of all your input and hard work that we are here today, and it’s my privilege to have played a supportive role through the Community Project Funding that helped make this project possible.” Houlahan acknowledged the strong support provided by Senator Casey, who was instrumental in bringing the project to the community.

State Senator Carolyn Comitta offered appreciation to the myriad collaborators who brought this project to fruition along with volunteers, City staff, City Council members, public works, fire and police departments, Chester County Commissioners and more. “It’s another example of Coatesville rising,” she said.

“Today marks a significant day in Coatesville,” said State Representative Dan Williams. “Ash Park is a special place to build community. It’s a place where people come to play, to pray, to reflect and to build relationships.”

Chairman of the Chester County Board of Commissioners Josh Maxwell praised the collaborative nature of the renovation project, noting it is another example of how the City is thriving.

“Parks are so important to our communities,” said Vice Chair of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, Marian Moskowitz. “This park is a gathering place and a promise to our children, our seniors and every Coatesville family to connect, enjoy and make memories. This is an investment that will pay great dividends going forward.”

City Council President Linda Lavender Norris expressed gratitude for the opportunity to renovate the park, “enabling new experiences and a lifetime of memories for our City’s youth and everyone who will enjoy the park for years to come.”

About the City of Coatesville: The first and only city in Chester County, Coatesville is home to 13,300 neighbors and is undergoing economic and cultural revitalization that integrates innovation, education, and smart economic development. The City is fueled by a lively entrepreneurial spirit, rooted in its rich historic past. Founded in 1915, Coatesville’s Historic District features many resources listed on the National Register of Historic Places, coupled with vibrant new restaurants and small businesses in the downtown area. The City is home to the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum and the nationally recognized Coatesville Invitational Vintage Grand Prix. Coatesville.org

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Media Contact:

Ellen Langas for the City of Coatesville, BTC Marketing, 610-256-2946, elangas@BTCmarkting.com

PHOTOS AND I.D.

Photo ID: L – R

Roberta Cosentino, Assistant City Manager, City of Coatesville

Marian Moskowitz, Vice Chair, Chester County Board of Commissioners

Carolyn Comitta, PA State Senator

Dan Williams, PA State Representative

Chrissy Houlahan, U.S. Representative

Linda Lavender Norris, City of Coatesville Council President

James Logan, City Manager, City of Coatesville

Josh Maxwell, Chairman, Chester County Board of Commissioners

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan

Group Shot Groundbreaking

Coatesville, PA – July 17, 2025 –

 

Monday, July 28th

9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Ash Park 300 Kersey Street, Coatesville

On behalf of the City of Coatesville, I invite you to join community and government leaders and neighbors for the much-anticipated groundbreaking and photo event to celebrate the renovation of Ash Park!

Since being founded nearly 100 years ago, Ash Park has served as the community’s most visited park by residents and visitors, and we are excited to bring it back as a vibrant community hub.

DETAILS: Enter Ash Park at the Third Ave entrance, close to the Playground. We will assemble just past the playground. Please wear comfortable shoes. Parking is available along Third Ave, in the parking lot at 76 Maple Ave or at City Hall, 1 City Hall Place. Groundbreaking will occur after a short presentation by James Logan, City Manager and honored guest U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan.

Coatesville, PA – June 30, 2025 –

Residents should be aware that construction is underway. Please use caution in the area.

While demolition of the pool house is complete, elements of the tile mural will be preserved.

Coatesville, PA – June 13, 2025 –

 

On Wednesday, June 25 at 6:00 p.m., Residents are encouraged to attend a community meeting, organized by 2nd Century Alliance, to learn about the renovation of Ash Park, preview construction plans, and view 3D video renderings at Gordon Elementary School.

The Coatesville City Council recently awarded construction contracts for Ash Park Phases I and II: Foresite Concepts LLC was named General Contractor; the plumbing contract was awarded to Recreation Resource USA; and Lenni Electric received the electric contract. Demolition and construction is scheduled to start in June 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Certain areas of Ash Park will be closed during construction, including the decommissioned swimming pool, basketball courts and horseshoe pits. The playground, soccer fields, open fields and picnic pavilion will remain open during construction. The areas under construction will reopen in summer 2026.

To watch a 3D video rendering of the newly designed Ash Park project, see below.

Explore the complete Ash Park Revitalization plans and watch project videos here and below:

Coatesville, PA – April 24, 2025 –

 

The much-anticipated revitalization of Ash Park, located in theheart of the City of Coatesville, is taking shape as bids for construction opened on April 7. The City expects to award the contract by the end of May with construction commencing in June on

Phases I and II of the multi-year Ash Park Master Plan. Situated between Third and Fourth Streets in Coatesville, Ash Park covers 9.3 acres and serves residents over a three-mile radius of the City.

“Since being founded nearly 100 years ago, Ash Park has served as the community’s most visited park for residents and visitors to congregate, ” says Linda Lavender Norris, Coatesville City Council President. “It’s taken wonderful collaboration efforts to bring this impactful project to life. This transformation will serve to bolster the joy Ash Park brings to families and especially our City’s youth for years to come.”

With the design phase completed, significant development will occur over a four- to six-month period and include:

• Expanded play and recreation areas
• Renovated basketball courts including a new third court
• A vibrant splash pad to replace the pool, which has been non-operational for over a
decade
• A new common area for gatherings
• Landscaping and stormwater infrastructure improvements
• New pavilion with seating area and restrooms
Future Phases III – V will address upgrades to the soccer field and playground and the
construction of a new picnic-area pavilion.

“The redevelopment of Ash Park has been a major undertaking, and we are appreciative of the funding and the collaboration, vision and input provided by dedicated partner organizations, City officials and community members who helped bring this project to fruition,” says Tiniera Turner-Green, Coatesville City Council member representing the second ward. “Ash Park has always served as a bright spot and the heart of our City, and to see it come back to life means a lot to our community. Parks and green spaces are vital for a city to thrive, and we look forward
to maintaining Ash Park as a wonderful and vibrant community hub.”

During construction, the soccer field, playground and pavilion will remain open. In preparation for the upgrades, safety fencing will be erected in mid-June around the pool area, basketball courts and horseshoe pits, which will remain closed until construction is complete.

“While residents look forward to the addition of a third basketball court, the temporary closure will affect summer basketball activities at the park,” says Roberta Cosentino, Coatesville Assistant City Manager. “We are working with local organizations to help provide alternative locations and activities this summer. The rest of the park remains open, and we look forward to the first two newly renovated phases of the park that will serve as a lively community centerpiece and provide enjoyment for generations to come.”

In 2022, the City collaborated with Natural Lands to prepare the Ash Park Master Plan, and the project received multi-million-dollar funding and support from the PA Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR), Community Project Funding from U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan and U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and Keystone Communities funding from State Senator Carolyn Comitta. During initial planning phases, MCDC (Movement Community Development Corporation) began fundraising efforts for the Ash Park water feature, with the help of Senator Casey and State Representative Dan Williams. The project was also funded in part by the Chester County Preservation Partnership program and Natural Lands. Andrew Mears, Associate Vice President at Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT), serves as chief project engineer.