‘I love it’: New-and-improved Lose Park officially opens
Trending
Zianni Sanders brought the little ones to the new-look Lose Park on Thursday morning.
The sky was blue, and sunshine blanketed the park in the 1100 block of Memorial Avenue.
Sanders happened to be there on the same day there was a red ribbon cutting on the improved park and playspace.
She could tell there were $500,000 worth of improvements to it, which were from Community Development Block Grant and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' funds, not from the city general fund budget.
The park is located in the heart of residential Williamsport, where numerous families from all walks of life reside. It is a diverse couple of blocks that are seeing an increase in property values and investments, a healthy mix of rental and owner-occupied and nearby senior citizen housing.
"It's definitely convenient because we live right there," Sanders said, pointing toward her residence.
The difference between the park now and nine months ago is like night and day.
"Instead of us having to pack up all of the time and get the kids together, and take an hour or two to get out of the door, I think this is very convenient, and I love it," she said.
There are no gates or fences, just spacious grass and accessible paths and added lighting. Sanders also noted how open it was. Most anyone can see what is happening from anywhere around the perimeter, which is a must for parents and guardians these days.
"You can see everything," Sanders said. "You can see what they are doing."
The park also has a lot for all ages and needs.
"For the big kids, the little kids, you name it," Sanders said.
The park now features new basketball court and hoops and backboards, play equipment, accessible walking and entry points; an
accessible play surface that is soft, safe and pliable, with a green color matching the play equipment paint; and new lighting.
"I love the updates," Sanders said.
"This park definitely needed an update other than slides and swings," she said.
"We needed all the extra stuff," she said pointing toward a teeter-totter.
This is the newest renovation and addition to the parks in the City of Williamsport, said August "Skip" Memmi, director of the city Department of Community and Economic development.
The project was made possible through vision and discussion with the City Council on the best use of about $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding and $145,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), he said.
Many of the same individuals who were at the groundbreaking several months ago were at the ribbon cutting.
The main work was done by Larson Design Group, the architectural and engineering design company, along with LandServe, the contractor.
"We worked hard and we hope that this is enjoyed for many, many years to come by everyone in the community," said Tyler Anderson, project superintendent from LandServe, of the staff and Larson Design Group. He also thanked the city administration and city officials for the opportunity to renovate and add to the park.