BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Damage to pavilions at Bethlehem's Saucon Park, as well as to paths leading up to them, and other amenities at Bethlehem's Saucon Park are set to get upgrades, city officials say.
It's part of the city's plan to use grant money to upgrade local parks, including Saucon, Fairview and Friendship.
- Saucon Park will get upgrades later this year or early next year
- The city plans to use state grant money to make it happen
- Fairview and Friendship parks have improvements on the horizon
The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently approved $200,000 for use in renovating Saucon Park on Williams Street near Hellertown.
City Public Works Director Michael Alkhalaid some park amenities have been closed off because of storm damage sustained a couple of years ago.
“It’s the stone and concrete retaining wall along the Saucon Creek that were damaged from the last major flooding event that we had; I think it was [Hurricane] Ida,” Alkhal said.
“Along with that, there are some pathways that lead to and from the pavilions there, as well as the floors of both pavilions were pretty heavily damaged and washed out.”
Children also will have something to look forward to, as public works is looking to replace the playground equipment on site with something “more elaborate and modern,” Alkhal said.
Next spring is the target date for the completion of the upgrades, but staff hope to ideally have it completed in the next three months.
Alkhal said officials originally were looking to complete the work in-house to make the most of the allocated funding. But there’s also been discussion behind hiring contractors to complete the work, considering the current workload of city personnel.
“So we’re trying to see if we have to go through a formal bidding process or if we can forego that process, because this is essentially a public works project to repair and replace,” he said.
Other recreational improvements
There’s also some love coming for the West Side’s Fairview Park at West Market Street and 4th Avenue.
“What we’re envisioning is adding greenspace, removing some of the asphalt that’s there and installing a multipurpose playground and some other other amenities."Michael Alkhal, public works director
The city website states a new playground and multisport complex is on the horizon for the space — one featuring dated equipment as well as cracks and weeds coming out of the basketball courts.
“What we’re envisioning is adding green space, removing some of the asphalt that’s there and installing a multipurpose playground and some other other amenities,” Alkhal said.
The Pennsylvania Municipal League will meet for a convention in the city come fall. KABOOM! — a nonprofit aiming to address playspace inequity nationwide — will assist in making the transformation happen the week of the convention.
Alkhal said the revamp will come as part of a community effort in late September or early October.
The city also provided a playground design public input survey on its website until June 19, but those interested still can get involved by emailing recreation@bethlehem-pa.gov.
Among other improvements to come, the public works director also mentioned a South Bethlehem Greenway connection to come to Hellertown.
“That is to connect our Greenway from where we left off near Saucon Park, down through Hellertown,” Alkhal said. “But first we have to acquire the land for the right-of-way from Norfolk Southern, and then pursue that project.”
Friendship Park on East North Street will see about $1 million dollars in improvements to be completed by the end of the year or early next year at the latest.
Alkhal said his department will put that work out to bid soon.
