Located on the site of Charleroi’s former junior high school, Meadow Park was designed as a neighborhood asset for residents of the borough who live on Meadow, Crest and Shady avenues.

Greater Charleroi Community Development Corp. and Mon Valley Initiative originally intended to construct housing on the old school property. After seven homes were constructed on part of the property, funding for additional housing was unavailable.

The borough’s hilly topography means that recreational areas are at a premium. Instead of allowing the remaining property to sit vacant and unusable, MVI and Greater Charleroi CDC developed a plan to turn it into safe, accessible greenspace.

The park includes a walking trail, benches, decorative planters and lighting and a pagoda. Planning and fundraising began in 2015 and work began in 2016 following donations from EQT Foundation, Washington Financial Charitable Foundation, Washington County Community Foundation and 84 Lumber.

Labor and additional support came from the Borough of Charleroi, Charleroi Garden Club, Mon Valley Alliance, International Union of Painters District Council 57 and Team Charleroi.

Future improvements to Meadow Park are planned, including additional landscaping and enhancements to the pagoda or “pergola.”

The benches in the park were donated by community members and are dedicated in honor of Tina M. Caputo, Mr. and Mrs. N.O. Hunter, Donald J. Baker, Sean T. Whiten, Walter W. Hopkins and William “Bill” Hopkins, and Ralph Rozzi Sr. and Victoria Ducato Rozzi.