SALT DESIGN STUDIO was hired by Atglen Borough to facilitate a participatory design process with residents for a new 2-acre park at Atglen Borough Hall, located at the western edge of a largely agricultural region in Chester County, PA. Utilizing SALT‘s 2020 Atglen Borough 4-Parks Master Plan, the Borough was able to successfully obtain both State and County grant funding for the park’s design and construction. SALT conducted a series of community engagement workshops and activities to identify residents’ desires for social gathering, play and amenities.

The new park reflects the unique character of Atglen Borough through rustic materials, native plants and color. For young children and teens, the park features two distinct play zones: one centered on active climbing and balancing elements, and another designed for flexible, imaginative nature-based play. Additional elements include a picnic lawn, restored woodland edge, accessible parking, and a new trailhead connecting to the Chester Valley/Enola Low-Grade Trail. Now a vibrant civic hub, Atglen Borough Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities and welcoming spaces for intergenerational gathering.

Collaborators: Becker Engineering, Sharpe Engineering

Status: Construction Completed July 2024

Photography: Sam Oberter / Drone Aerial Photography: SALT Design Studio