HELLERTOWN, Pa. — A small patch of green space in Hellertown finally will get a much-needed facelift — but it won't change what it is.
Reinhard’s Park, an open area in the borough, will undergo development to enhance its green space and give it a more park-like feel.
Hellertown Borough Council has approved specifics of the project, which has been in the works since 2023.
“We have four or five tot lots in this small town, so we don’t need more. So it’s nice to leave some green space open if the kids want to play flag football or soccer.”Hellertown Public Works Supervisor Barry Yonney
Borough Public Works Supervisor Barry Yonney said the project will maintain the open space for children to play, but add features to enhance the environment for the community.
“The fences are going to be all redone,” Yonney said. “The ball fields are going to get all redone, [and] they’re going to put a gazebo in with flowers around it.”
Yonney said Hellertown put up its new public works facility right next to the park and with the department nearby, the neighbors were hoping for changes.
The project came about in an unconventional way after people noticed the fence surrounding the park was old and rusted. This simple observation inspired a larger makeover.
While the space doesn’t have a playground or many other amenities, Yonney said that’s OK. It's about the open area — a place for kids to run and play.
“We have four or five tot lots in this small town, so we don’t need more,” Yonney said. “So it’s nice to leave some green space open if the kids want to play flag football or soccer.”
The park is also a space where dogs are allowed off-leash.
The borough will use a $100,000 state grant to fund the project. Yonney said work will begin in May and should be done by August.
Jenna O'Dell is a Lehigh University student journalist enrolled in Professor Matt Veto's PBS-NPR Partnership course in partnership with Lehigh Valley Public Media and 91.3 WLVR.