Greetings from the Rec Park (GARA)! I can’t believe the summer is coming to a close already. My parents always told me that time goes faster when we get older. They were so right! We have experienced a terrific summer hosting camps, youth sports, a circus, and many other special events. We are in the process of planning for the country’s 250th birthday for our July 4th celebration next summer.
I would like to share about three important upgrades here at the park. We are extremely grateful to Front Runner Construction and Brandon Shelton for their generous donation of labor and materials to refurbish the Weikert baseball storage and press box. They spent two full days here with a professional crew. The new siding and roof look terrific.
Additionally, the “Kids for Peace After School Club” at VIDA Charter School is working with a couple of local artists to paint a new mural in our bandstand that was donated by the Gettysburg Optimist Club decades ago. We have torn down the old mosaic that was a wonderful piece of art in its day. However, over time and due to some vandalism issues, it was time to be replaced.
Lastly, as I shared in an earlier article, we were the recipient of a county green space grant this past year, and we plan to install a new playground here on the North end of the campus near the American Legion pavilion. We hope to start that project very soon.
I’m also appreciative of our small part-time staff and the job they do on a daily basis, addressing the issues that come along with the additional traffic in the park. Things like keeping the trash dispensers emptied and cleaning bathrooms are not always a lot of fun.
We look forward to keeping the positive momentum going here at the Rec Park. We hope you stop by and enjoy the atmosphere. Best wishes to everyone for a wonderful fall season. I think September is my favorite month due to the typical great weather we have in Gettysburg this time of year. There’s no place to enjoy it more than in the park.
Best wishes!
Al
Dr. Al Moyer is the executive director of the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority. He has
served in public education for 36 years and higher ed administrator/professor for 5 years. Al
still teaches adjunct courses to aspiring school administrators/principals. The Rec Park is his
encore career motivated by his love for the park and community.