Hoberman Park Build Update
The City of Lock Haven has partnered with KABOOM!, the Pennsylvania Municipal League, and the PA Department of Natural Resources (DCNR) to bring a new playground to Hoberman Park. KABOOM! a national non-profit focused on bringing safe and fun play spaces to various neighborhoods, creating access to play for everyone. On Saturday, August 3, KABOOM! will lead about 200 volunteers in building a playground in one day! The new playground will be located in about the same area as the old one, that was recently demolished by WYDE Excavation & Hauling. The crew from WYDE demolished the existing equipment, pavilion, and walking path in two days and donated their labor toward the project. Because of their hard work, we are one step closer to building a new playground on August 3!
DESIGN DAY
The team from KABOOM! Has been facilitating the community led process, starting with a community survey and Design Day on May 9. At this community meeting, kids used their imagination to design their dream playground. The KABOOM! team took note of these drawings, survey results, and valuable conversations and included many of the features in the final design. Many of the attendees from Design Day are a continued part of the planning team tasked with gathering volunteers and donations for Build Week. Through everyone’s input and creativity, we were able to finalize a design made specifically for Hoberman Park!
BUILD DAY – AUGUST 3
Everyone is invited to build this new playground at Hoberman Park on Saturday, August 3! On that day, volunteers will build the entire playground in 6 hours with the help of neighbors, project partners, and professional playground installers from Landscape Structures, Inc. At the end of the day, we will have a ribbon cutting recognizing everyone’s hard work. If you are interested in volunteering, please register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/help-build-a-playground-at-hoberman-park-tickets-875353033487. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks will be provided to volunteers to help fuel their efforts. All volunteers will also get a free t-shirt to commemorate the build!
SIDE PROJECTS
In addition to the main goal of building a new playground at Hoberman Park, there will be various smaller projects happening at the park. Activities like planting trees, building picnic tables, painting a mural, constructing a directional sign, and building and planting community garden will be ongoing throughout the build day. If would like to be involved in a side project, please register normally and you will have the opportunity to choose your team when you arrive at build day.
KIDS ACTIVITIES
Unfortunately, kids under the age of 18 are not permitted on the build site for their safety. We still want kids involved in the day and will have various kids activities to keep them entertained! Local youth groups and other volunteers will be hosting activities to allow kids to have fun while watching the playground come to life! Food and drinks will be provided for these activities as well, but kids are also welcome to pack a lunch for the day.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS
To help make this event a success, we are looking to gather 200 volunteers at Hoberman Park on Saturday, August 3! For those wishing to have a hand in the new playground and transforming Hoberman Park, we ask that you register ahead of Build Day at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/help-build-a-playground-at-hoberman-park-tickets-875353033487.
In addition to volunteers, we are looking for donations of breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and water to keep everyone fueled and hydrated during their efforts. If you are a part of a business in the Lock Haven area and would like to donate or sponsor a meal, please contact Abbey Roberts at aroberts@lockhavenpa.gov or call 570-893-5903.
HOBERMAN PARK IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the new playground, there will be other improvements occurring at Hoberman Park from August to November. More construction will bring a new basketball court, multipurpose court, and restrooms. The project will also make improvements to the little league and t-ball fields with new dugouts and fencing. Finally, the parking lots will be resurfaced with the entrances regraded. The City of Lock Haven looks forward to bringing these improvements to Hoberman Park and thanks the community for their continued cooperation.
