BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A community-driven plan to address upgrades to the city’s park network over the next decade is nearing the end of its public input phase.
“Most of the community engagement is complete," said Sheila Fuentes, director of Omnes, an Easton-based planning firm
helping the city and providing further recommendations as part of the 40-in-10: Every Park in 10 Years plan.
"From here, we’re going to continue refining design concepts for the neighborhood park network, explore potential costs and phasing for capital improvements and develop recommendations for parks and park system.”
Officials met with the public over Zoom on Thursday for a look at results from a survey open from March to May and to revisit some other community feedback from when the process began this year.
Currently in the planning phase until Aug. 29, a final report later this year from Omnes will offer cost estimates.
Some results
Through 15 pop-up events, interviews, focus groups, surveying, site assessments and input through the We Build Bethlehem website, here’s what officials have concluded about the city’s parks so far:
- There have been 833 total responses, including 170 from West Bethlehem, 144 from Central Bethlehem, 82 from Northeast Bethlehem and 44 from South Bethlehem
- Most of the response demographic was white, but 13% of 543 responses included people of Hispanic, Spanish or Latino ethnicity
- Favorite Bethlehem parks include Monocacy Park (100 Illick’s Mill Road), Sand Island Park (56 River St.), Rose Garden Park (Eighth Avenue and West Union Boulevard) and the South Bethlehem Greenway
- Generally speaking, folks seem to be most concerned about maintenance and care, accessibility and connectivity and health and wellness opportunities in its parks
- Parks are lacking in public restrooms, senior centers and fitness zones and could use more dog-friendly spaces. The city is above average for community garden plots and basketball courts
- Main issues for parks in general included location and cleanliness of bathrooms, trash cans, graffiti and vandalism; outdated playgrounds; universally accessible playground equipment; and a lack of water fountains and bottle fillers
- The public appreciates and wants more park trails, festivals, playground access, nature-based activities, play areas (splash pads, slides and swings) and sports
- Parkgoers are interested in more musical performances, yoga, child programming and nature education classes
- Updated network should emphasize multi-purpose lawn spaces, trail enhancements and shaded parks; fitness loops, inclusive and natural play areas and active recreation; cool zones with water access; and pavilions, community gardens and restrooms
Park programming builds community, supports the local economy and enhances vitality, Fuentes said. As a result, the city needs to keep its offerings relevant, revenue-positive and equitable.
A city of parks
Bethlehem currently has 43 parks spanning more than 722 acres, nearly 12 miles of trails and greenways, 42 sports fields, 24 playgrounds, five swimming pools, an ice rink, a 27-hole golf course and a disc-golf course.
The city has 17 full-time grounds maintenance staff and a handful of spring/summer staff hired each year for mostly mowing and litter removal duties.
But four union positions remain unfilled, putting strain on maintenance crews (lots of mowing from April to October, and plenty of leaf collection from October through December).
Fifteen public restrooms within parks across the city are cleaned once a week by one dedicated staff member.
Share your thoughts on the future of Bethlehem's park network at webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov or call the 40-in-10 hotline at 484-293-1501.
Four full-time recreational staff manage the parks and recreation programming and 100 summer seasonal staff are hired to handle pools, Summer Park Program and special events.
Thirty winter seasonal staff are hired to program the Earl E. Schaeffer Memorial Ice Rink at 345 Illick’s Mill Road.
Residents can share their thoughts on the future of Bethlehem's park network at webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov or call the 40-in-10 hotline at 484-293-1501.
The next public engagement event will be a movie night at Bayard Park on Geraldine Street from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. July 28.
