Note: The following announcement about progress on the Water Street Park improvements in Hellertown was provided by borough manager Cathy Hartranft.
We are so excited to provide you with an update on Water Street Park! In response to community need, the Borough of Hellertown, through its contractor Whiting-Turner and design engineer, Barry Isett & Associates has undertaken a phased development of the park. Phases I and II consisted of utility connection and interior fit out for two new ADA accessible restrooms, the construction of a new basketball court, expanded parking, rain gardens and site landscaping, in addition to entrance safety enhancements, concrete curbing and storm water management. The existing pavilion, playground and volleyball court have been maintained.
Although the majority of the improvements have been completed, there is still a little more to do before opening to the public. First, with all the new grass and sod, we want to give it time to stabilize and develop healthy roots.
A fence remains around Water Street Park in Hellertown to allow grass seed to germinate.
Speaking of landscaping, we have a great deal of plants, trees and other fauna to plant this September (any volunteers interested in helping out? Please call the borough office: 610-838-7041). Additionally, our great public works department is enhancing the volleyball court and playground surfaces, power washing benches and grills and installing additional signage. Due to a 90-day PennDot curing requirement, the driveway entrance along Water Street is expected to be paved in mid-October. Funding is still being sought to install an ice skating rink over the basketball court for your winter enjoyment.
Hellertown has always strived to create a family-friendly environment for its residents and a positive experience for its visitors.
A newly-paved path connects the driveway entrance to Water Street Park with a new basketball court.
This shared public space is provided for your enjoyment and recreation. We want you to have a fun and safe time!
It is anticipated the fence will come down in mid-October and the park will be open for your enjoyment!
The Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market will remain at the Hellertown Area Library site through the end of its 2015 season. In the spring of 2016, we hope to join the Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market on opening day for an “official” ribbon cutting ceremony!
And…have you seen those boulders? The boulders are made of locally-quarried limestone and they contain some really excellent examples of current ripples made by flowing water and waves when the limestone was originally deposited over 500 million years ago. Professor Frank Pazzaglia of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science department at Lehigh University and his sed-strat class will construct interpretive/educational signage describing the ripples. Way cool!
