Quann Park In Malvern Is Rededicated After $326K Facelift

MALVERN, PA —Several dozen local, county and state officials gathered Friday morning to celebrate the completion of the renovated Horace J. Quann Park in the center of the 1.2-square mile borough.

Amy Finkbiner, council president, expressed appreciation to the lawmakers, borough employees, contractors, and volunteers in the community.

“Thank you for all of your quality work,” Finkbiner said at a ribbon cutting ceremony along a new sidewalk that was part of the upgrades.

Mayor Zeyn B. Uzman noted that the park is the most utilized park in the borough.

“Nothing means more to me than watching kids come here and play pickup basketball,” the mayor said.

Park History

The mayor said the borough remembered Horace J. Quann, who passed away in 1999 at age 87 by dedicating the park to him.

Quann owned a hardware store, was a member of Malvern Business Civic Association, which named him businessman of the year in 1978.

He and his wife, Sue, raised a family and he was active in his community and church.

The mayor said the Quann would be proud of the park.

“It’s a place where boys and young men like to play basketball,” he said.

New Features

The park, located across the street from borough hall at the corner of First and Warren avenues, provides residents and visitors with baseball, basketball, volleyball areas and open space to relax.

The improvements include sidewalk and curbing, new fencing around the baseball field, replacement steps, a rain garden, and tree plantings.

The $326,334 upgrades were financed by state and local grants, including a $113,779 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Drew Gilchrist, DCNR regional manager, said the pandemic showed everyone how valuable open space is to a community.

He said trails and parks help to improve mental health and stormwater management.

Praising open space

Chester County commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline attended the ceremony.

Moskowitz, chairwoman, described the park as a “gem in the community.”

Maxwell said the park is a “treasure” for the community.

Kichline thanked the borough officials for preserving open space.

“This is my favorite borough,” said Kichline, who grew up in nearby Tredyffrin Township.

Kichline noted the borough’s restaurants and shops are special.

Others in attendance at the gathering included state Rep. Kristine Howard; Michael Hartman, chief of staff for state Sen. Carolyn Comitta; and the borough’s administrators, public works and police employees.
Members of borough council, environmental advisory commission, planning commission, parks and recreation department, shade tree commission, and historical commission also attended.