The civic group that has spent the past 10 years turning two acres of weeds and concrete into Riverfront Park in Sewickley is ready to add public docks for fishing, boating and kayaking.

Riverfront Park Inc. has announced plans for the second phase of the recreation area along Chadwick Street: a $400,000 overlook and boat access to the Ohio River.

The second phase involves building public boat docks at the end of Walnut Street and a pedestrian walkway with lighting, fencing and police patrols for safety. Walnut runs perpendicular to Chadwick and ends at the Ohio River.

Peggy Standish, of Sewickley, spokeswoman for the group, said she envisions boaters docking and using the park or visiting the town's business district just a few blocks away. She said the project also would provide convenient access for local schoolchildren to study the river habitat or for kayakers to launch.

The second phase should be completed in two years, she said.

The group is seeking $150,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The remaining $100,000 would come from private donations.

In 2000, the Three Rivers Rowing Association proposed building a $1.5 million boathouse on Chadwick that would have provided access to the river. The association withdrew the proposal after those who live nearby opposed the plan.

Terry Brennan, who lives on Chadwick, was an opponent of the boathouse, but he approves of the riverfront group's plan.

"This is actually what I wanted them to do before -- something that would remain community property that everyone could use, not just the elite," he said. "I think this is a much better use of the land than the boathouse."

Information on Riverfront Park in Sewickley is available at www.riverfrontpark.org.