More help needed to get park ready
LUZERNE TWP. – Work is under way to prepare Patsy Hillman Park for a busy July. Some 2,000 to 3,000 spectators are expected in the park for the July 3 fireworks display and the Brownsville Area Community Picnic at the Park is scheduled for Sunday, July 18.
“There’s just not enough help here to get this park ready. We only have the prisoners one day a week,” said Frank Ricco, chairman of the park board.
Inmates from the State Correctional Institute-Fayette have been working at the park, but their hours are limited. The board voted to hold a work day on June 12, asking area nonprofit organizations and students at Brownville Area High School to lend a hand painting benches and getting other work done to prepare for the Independence Day celebration.
Board chairman Frank Ricco reported that some work has been completed on restroom renovations, including new doors on all of the buildings. The park board is in the process of capping the old septic tanks and installing portable toilets inside the buildings. Ricco said the work should be completed before July.
Brownsville Mayor Lester Ward said he frequently walks in the park and has noticed a problem with people who are apparently illegally dumping trash at the park near the trash container. A park board member said some construction materials have been found in the dumpster as well.
The board voted in favor of prosecuting anyone found illegally dumping trash at the park.
The Luzerne Township employees repaired a section of the road near the Redstone pavilion that was damaged when the culvert under the road collapsed. The township workers also installed a tire playground area near the Luzerne pavilion, half-burying truck tires for children to climb on. Township Supervisor Gregg Downer said the township crew will install more tire playgrounds wherever the park board wants them.
Several locations near the lake were proposed.
Downer also noted that the lake has been stocked with catfish. The Brownsville chapter of the Izaak Walton League will be sponsoring a fishing rodeo at the park for children ages 6-12 on June 5 with registration starting at 8 a.m.
The event is free and prizes will be given in various categories.
Board member Nena Kaminsky said six vendors have committed to setting up for the community picnic in July, but more are being sought.
“We want yard sale and flea market tables,” Kaminsky said.
Kaminsky said several musical groups have agreed to perform and OCW Wrestling will put on a free show.
Kaminsky said the committee organizing the event is still looking for festival booths or frames with tarps. Two flatbed trailers are also needed to serve as a stage for dance schools and other performers.
The next meeting about the picnic will be held Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the park.