One neighborhood will be getting an easier path to the Hermitage Athletic Complex. 

The project will cost nearly $988,000 to pave a walking and biking trail from the homes behind the complex through the woods.

The idea was brought up by a resident of Lorenwood Drive who wanted an easier route for kids in the nearly 30 homes on the road to the park.

“When we look at the community we recognize that if we want to attract new residents to the community we have to give them the quality of life and amenities they are looking for,” Mark Longietti, the City of Hermitage Director of Business & Development said.  

The project will be done in two phases - first making the trail and then making some road improvements to Lorenwood like street paving and better drainage systems. 

PennDOT is contributing $680,000 through their Multimodal Transportation Fund. The City of Hermitage will fund $308,000 of the project. 

“I’m proud to make sure we do our part across all modes, not just roads and bridges,”  Mike Carroll, the Secretary of Transportation for PennDOT said. “Connecting communities to a public park like this is in that realm.”

The Hermitage Athletic Complex is more than 50 acres of outdoor space. The walk and bike trail will be open to the public and will add to the complexes many baseball, softball, soccer and a deck hockey arena.

Construction on the trail will start in 2025. 

Longietti said in the future they are looking to add more trails to connect nearby neighborhoods and more parking at the complex.