Farrell Recreation Commission is planning a special meeting for as early as next week to focus on rehabilitation plans for the Emerson Avenue, Rosetta Ragster/Southwest Gardens and Veterans Square parks.

The commission has not yet set a meeting date, but is planning to further discuss plans in order to get the ball moving on upgrades. The commission is working with the city, Sharon/Farrell Weed and Seed and Mercer County Regional Council of Governments on sprucing up the parks.

The equipment on the Emerson playground is old, some of it in poor condition. Plans include taking that old equipment out and putting in new material at the upper end of the playground. Plans for Emerson include four swings, four picnic tables, three spring swings and a climber. The equipment will be geared for younger kids.

Commission Chairman Riley Smoot Jr. said prisoners may help take out old equipment and put in new ones, saving the commission money.

The commission has limited funds and has to put priorities on projects, commission member Louis Falconi said.

New playground equipment and a fence are planned for the Rosetta Ragster/Southwest Gardens playground.

Plans for Veterans Square include benches, picnic tables and grills. However, Smoot said he envisions a large gazebo there, which would be perfect for bands to perform in during the summer.

Projecting old movies on an adjacent wall would draw older residents to the park, he said, adding that a surrounding flower bed would spruce up the park. Also, the square is close enough to the police station that it would make residents feel safe and comfortable going there, he said.