The ongoing renovations at Ritts Park continued this past weekend as students from Slippery Rock University helped with cleanup efforts.
City Council member Jeff Smith, who oversees parks on council, explains.
“30 kids came down from Slippery Rock as part of the Butler SUCCEED program, to help renovate the walking trail that is the nature trail,” Smith said.
Butler SUCCEED is SRU’s initiative to have a physical location in downtown Butler to help students and the university connect with the community at a local level.
Saturday’s cleanup was the latest in an effort to renovate Ritts Park over the past couple of years. Recently a new pickleball court was installed at the park, along with paving the walking trail, and Smith says new exercise stations are coming soon.
“I’m excited about Ritts Park. It’s 76 years old this year. And over the years, it’s been somewhat neglected,” Smith said. “When you go up to the top of the park and see the monument to Mr. Ritts, who’s family donated the property, you realize what a great amenity it is to that part of town.”
