North Belle Vernon Borough Council

R.J. Sokol, councilman for North Belle Vernon, a small borough of 1,800 people in Westmoreland County, led a two-year effort to revitalize the run-down and closed community park. Sokol led a mostly-volunteer community team in planning and redeveloping the park.

Planning work included research of needs, particularly for youth sports growing in interest and not being met elsewhere, developing a funding plan, and obtaining approvals. Sokol managed purchases and construction, including much donated and volunteer work to reduce cost. A feature of the park is its special needs facility with wheelchair slide and swing, car-seat swings, and dual swings for babies and guardians. Sokol credited the community saying, “Everybody stepped in to be a part.”