Pits in Ward Park Being Dug in Preparation for Senior Center

Test pits are being dug today as the first steps are taken to putting a new Senior Center into Ward Park.

"The hole will be dug and filled," said Joseph Rizza from Courtstreet Architects of eight test holes that are five feet in diameter which will be dug in the park today. “We will learn where the water table is and what the actual soil conditions are."

The test pits will allow engineers to measure the water table at the park. Puddling in the park is a known issue with the area, said Rizza, and these tests will be the first measures to see what is causing those issues and what work will need to be done at the site.

Future tests will be done at the current proposed location for the senior center, along the northern edge of the park. Those tests would be done closer to the beginning of construction, which is slated for October.

City officials recently stated that there are currently no alternative sites for the senior center. If testing indicates that the proposed location is not suitable, another within the park could be found, said Public Facilities Director John Ghiloni.

“There is nothing to say it couldn’t end up at another location at the park,” he said.

Locating the senior center within the park has been contested by neighbors and residents, who are worried about land being removed from the park as well as the suitability of the space and ability of a 14,000 square foot senior center to serve the community.

Architects have stated that an additional 7,000 or more square feet is planned to be built into the design for future expansion.