Yough Park to offer visitors WiFi
CONNELLSVILLE – The city’s Yough Park now offers wireless internet to those traveling the Great Allegheny Passage through Connellsville or for residents or workers just wanting to take a break from the home or office while still being connected to their computer. City officials, businesses, organizations, residents and others celebrated the official opening Friday of the Cream of the Trail refreshment stand that, in addition to snacks, offers a WiFi connection.
“You can sit anywhere in the park, eat your lunch and still work,” said Mayor Judy Reed as she watched a number of children make their way to the stand to order ice cream and other treats now available. “People are bringing their lunch and laptop down to the park and just relaxing and enjoying the view.”
Reed said that a cooperative effort allowed the refreshment stand to be opened and Internet access to be provided.
The Progress Fund through the Trail Town Program awarded the city an $8,000 grant that enabled officials to refurbish the stand that once was used by the Yough Fisherman’s Association. The funding additionally allowed for a variety of snacks to be stocked for sale.
Armstrong, the area’s cable, telephone and Internet provider, installed the necessary equipment to allow park visitors to use their laptops without being tied to a wire.
An adjacent room to the refreshment stand is being refurbished and will be available for laptop users in the near future.
Reed said the building is scheduled to have air conditioning installed and it is hoped area businesses will donate computers that can be used by park visitors.
The Great Allegheny Passage stretches from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, with the trail passing through Yough Park and in front of the Cream of the Trail.
Progress Fund regional director Cathy McCollum said that the refreshment stand and WiFi access combination is unique for trail users.
“It is a wonderful addition,” she said. “And, the profits (from the refreshment stand) are used to maintain the trail and that’s totally innovative.”
Volunteers and one employee man the stand that will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. There are plans, said Reed, to hire additional employees.
“Not only will this be a service to our visitors, but also to our residents,” said Reed.
In addition to Armstrong and the Progress Fund, along with the volunteers, Reed credited Craig Appliance for its assistance in renovating the stand.
Those helping with the grand opening included CRH Catering, Discount Party Stores, Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce, Lynn’s Dairy Queen, Connellsville Cultural Trust, Connellsville Area Historical Society and Wal-Mart.