The Gettysburg Rec Park has been fortunate to have a community that has helped build and maintain the park. Many of the buildings, ball fields, pavilions and playgrounds were built by the efforts of the community members who raised funds or donated their time, money and supplies. This year, we are again thankful for new additions that were donated to the park through teamwork with local organizations.
When you enter the rec park from Long Lane and Breckenridge Street, you will see the GARA sign that was donated and built by Len Dick’s Signs earlier this year. As you walk along the Biser Fitness Trail, you will notice the young trees with fresh mulch. The Gettysburg Green Gathering donates trees to the Rec Park every year. During the fall, Gettysburg Green Gathering event members weeded and laid mulch for 19 trees that were planted in years past.
Along the Biser Fitness Trail near the Winebrenner parking lot and bridge is the new bicycle work station. It has multiple tools and an air pump for bicyclists to use as they ride around the park and trails. The workstation was donated to the park in collaboration between Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian Inc. and Saris. Saris is a company based out of Madison, Wisconsin, that manufactures and designs bicycle safety equipment and infrastructure. The concrete slab on which the workstation was placed and construction was done by the Gettysburg Borough maintenance staff and the Gettysburg Rec Park maintenance staff.
The Gettysburg Rec Park staff also built and placed a new information board that was donated by Healthy Adams County Physical Fitness task force. The information board is located near the restrooms at the south end of the park and includes a map of the Biser Trail and information about events happening in the park.
Gettysburg Rec Park wants to say thank you to everyone who has donated to the park or played a role in bringing new pieces to the park. We also thank anyone who has donated to the park in our donation box, located next to the new information board, and during the Adams Community Foundation Giving Spree. The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority is again participating in this year’s Giving Spree to be held November 3,, 2022.
For more information about the Giving Spree and how to donate, go to ACCFGivingSpree.org; to learn more about Saris, visit sarisinfrastructure.com; and to see upcoming events at the park and links to organizations mentioned in this article go to gara-recpark.info.
Erin is the Executive Director of the Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority