An in-the-works plan for improvements at Sharon’s Bicentennial Park is not just a pie in the sky dream, an architect for the project said Thursday.

’We have to think positive,’ said city Beautification Commission secretary-treasurer Carol Swartz.

Frank Gargiulo and John Carly of HHSDR, Sharon, presented their ideas for the downtown site to members of the commission.

The master site plan is necessary to apply for grants to make changes at the two-acre park, which hugs the Shenango River from West Connelly Boulevard to West Budd Street and was established during the redevelopment boom in 1975.

The park is used mainly by downtown walkers, workers and folks who live nearby, Gargiulo said. Making it more visible to motorists through inviting gateways could lead to more people using it, he said.

’It really comes down to promoting the city,’ Gargiulo said. ’We think it’s an asset.’

Commission member Jennifer Barborak said they want the park to have an early 1900s feel to it, with period lighting, benches and gazebos.

Gargiulo said the plan will include cost estimates and the commission will determine their priorities and possible phases for improvements.

The firm suggests taking out the dilapidated wooden deck, gazebo and grandstand along the river at the center of the park and putting in a fishing pier cantilevered over the river. They said they’d also like to see two smaller semi-circular retaining walls built halfway between the pier and park entrances to allow people to relax along the river, with natural access to the water below.

’Folks can be up on the wall in lounge chairs and watch the kids below skipping stones,’ Carly said.

Gargiulo said they’d like to minimize what’s done with the park’s walkways to save money.

The plans call for scrapping the playground. The swing sets don’t have swings and other equipment isn’t up to current codes.

That doesn’t mean new equipment couldn’t be put in later, Carly said.

Carly said they are looking to possibly acquire land for parking, though they don’t think there should be a roadway through the park, other than widening asphalt trails to allow emergency vehicles in. The paved part of Riverside Drive in the park would be filled in, Gargiulo said.

Mrs. Barborak, who is also president of the Shenango Riverwatchers, said she would like to see a trail from the canoe launch off of East Budd Street north into the park and running a loop between Budd and West Connelly. Right-of-ways and railroad tracks on the east side of the river would have to be dealt with, she said.