Wampum Park is a local park that over the years had began to get run down and was in need of repairs and updates and when Karen Goebel saw this, she knew someone needed to do something.
So she did it.
Goebel. a local of the area, talked with the borough in the fall of 2020 and asked if there was anything they could do to help. The borough did offer some help and with that Karen began to get to work.
In April of 2021 “Friends of the Park” was created. The group, put together by Goebel, is made up of a hardworking group of senior citizens who, despite their age, are working diligently alongside Karen to restore Wampum Park to its original state.
The group has already done many things to fix up this park.
Not only have they gotten the entrance rock freshly painted, they have repainted the playground, put in all new mulch in the playground area, added new sand to the sandbox, and so many other wonderful things.
This group is planning to do even more according to Goebel.
The group plans to fix up the shelter in the park that was built in 1940 by the WPA and is in need of a fresh coat of paint. They are also hoping to fix up the basketball courts by adding new hoops and netting so people who want to play have the best hoops. They are hoping to implement an adopt a tree system so that anyone can have a tree planted in the park for a loved one or for any reason. Lastly, they are hoping to start and outdoor movie night in the park this summer.
The group has gotten some help along the way. S&S Construction donated he new mulch, the borough has given grants and donations to the park, and Home Depot donated the new lumber that was used to fix up the playground equipment.
The group still does need help.
Volunteers of any age are more than welcome to come down to the park to put in some work that will benefit the community. Donations are also needed, the park does need some landscaping help, new plumbing for the park is needed as well, and the group for would is hoping to have the netting for the hoop donated as well. Those interested can contact Goebel at 724-651-5480
I believe this is the park I went to in the 1950’s when I was very little. It had a playground with a slide and swings. My father was Keith Herbert and I remember going to the park for a get together and they had corn on the cob. My dad had like 20 ears of corn that night. I sure hope by now they got rid of the outhouses. I remember a covered area with tables that I would go and we would do crafts. I live in California but am able to donate money if still needed. I have fond memories of that little park.