The City of Bethlehem presented the results of the recent Bethlehem Parks and Pools Study at public open house events at several city locations earlier this month.

Bethlehem was subdivided into four neighborhoods for the study: Central, Northeast, West and South, and each area was analyzed on access to neighborhood parks, community parks and pools, as well as the demographics of each sector including age and income. The city stated the purpose of the study was, “To create a plan to rehabilitate and update Bethlehem’s park system to reflect and meet the needs of residents as the population of the city changes and grows.”

For cities with a population between 50,000 and 100,000, Bethlehem’s 35 parks exceeds the national average of 33 and maintains 12 miles of trails verses the national average of 11. The study found that there is a good blend of active and passive recreational opportunities in Bethlehem’s parks as well as assets like the Ice House, DAR House, Illick’s Mill and an outdoor ice rink that are unique to the city.

Drew Sonntag from Urban Research & Development Corp., which conducted the parks study, explained the elements of what constitutes “great recreation.” These include recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities, safe and accessible park equipment, buildings and pools, well rounded programs with effective marketing, and improvements that are financially sustainable. Environmental stewardship is a key component that follows guidelines set by MS4, “ … to control storm water runoff of pollutants going into streams, requiring communities to put in things like rain gardens and vegetative swales, to reforest or to re-meadow areas. You get credit for more that you do.” said Sonntag.

Recreation director Jane Persa pointed out areas that the study found needed attention. She cited the lack of safety surfaces around playground equipment, like asphalt or hard dirt under swing sets. “These are things done years ago that we are now trying to address,” said Persa of the crumbling WPA stonework, outdated electrical systems, unsafe play equipment, and lack of ADA access to facilities. Persa mentioned, “We have redone the restrooms at Stark Pool. They weren’t handicapped accessible, but now they are.”

Bethlehem’s municipal pools have been struggling with declining attendance due to competition from personal and private pools and with pools, buildings and equipment that “are well past expected useful life,” according to the report. At this point, the city is not planning on closing any neighborhood pools that had been open in 2016. Memorial Pool, Stark Pool, Yosko Pool and West Side Pool should remain open.

Recreation officials also sought input from the public on how to rehabilitate and re-energize the park system at the open house events.

For more information: bethlehem-pa.gov/parks/