BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The community and city officials agree Friendship Park along East North Street could use a fresh, new look and broader recreational offerings for residents of all ages.
Bethlehem City Council last week voted unanimously to amend the city budget to make way for grants that will to pay for the bulk of an overhaul at the park.
Those funds included a $320,000 grant ($305,000 from Community Project Funding, $15,000 from the Laros Foundation) and $747,967 from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program.
“It’s very exciting. It’s like two-thirds of the total budget just in these two grants.”Bethlehem City Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek
“It’s very exciting,” said Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek. “It’s like two-thirds of the total budget just in these two grants.”
Improvements could begin as soon as next spring, officials have said.
Improvements to come
The new park’s final master plan, subject to change, consists of the following:
- An asphalt pathway system surrounding a central lawn area would serve as green space for festivals, concerts and more
- A main entrance along East North Street and secondary entrances along East Garrison
- A water plaza, with touch-activated, below-ground jets
- The newer playground on site would remain, but the older playground and swing sets would be removed
- A picnic area, with a 20-foot pavilion, tables and a grill
- A basketball court
- An asphalt pathway system
- Vehicle access to the Electrical Bureau building
A “preliminary probable” estimate of costs for the new park would run about $1.49 million, with updates coming in phases, according tothe park's redesign planning study.
The aging park currently has two playgrounds, swing sets, a bicycle safety course, a basketball court and a concrete storage building with murals on the outside walls.
The 1.3-acre space has East North Street to the north and East Garrison Street to the south, with a city Electrical Bureau facility just to the east.
A space with a story
Getting to this point has been a few years in the making, with residents sharing feedback at multiple points along the way.
The Northside 2027 Public Realm Committee originally decided a park overhaul was needed. From there, a design firm out of Maryland was brought abroad in 2022 to complete a vision and master plan for the project.
“Over the years since, the space has served as a cow pasture, a marketplace, and — as it is today — as a recreational space for residents of the city."A Friendship Park redesign study
History buffs may recognize the space’s former moniker: Tank Park.
According to a Friendship Park redesign study from January 2023, Tank Park opened for use in 1872. A reservoir, which remained on site until 1965, dished out drinking water to the nearby residential area.
“Over the years since, the space has served as a cow pasture, a marketplace, and — as it is today — as a recreational space for residents of the city,” the study reads.
