Chair Janine Santoro invited Bethlehem Senior Planner Corey Grey to kick off the Mayor’s South Side Task Force hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center April 28.

Attending online, Grey walked attendees through the newly-released 40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years Final Report, available to the public on the city’s We Build Bethlehem website at: webuild.bethlehem-pa.gov/en/. He listed Bernie Fritz Park, Madison Park and Clearview Park as the first of the city-owned recreation areas to receive upgrades and renovations.

Grey announced a Bernie Fritz Pop-up Night to be held at Bernie Fritz Park from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. July 29. The city is still seeking public feedback to see if the proposed improvements reflect what the community wants.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities asked if there are plans to rebuild the community swimming pool at Saucon Park and Grey replied no, explaining that the area is a flood plain. Zettlemoyer agreed that maintaining a pool there would be a waste of money. When Zettlemoyer remarked about Saucon Creek and Monocacy Creek being class A Trout Streams, Grey said that improving access for fishermen is included in park improvement goals.

Also attending remotely, Bethlehem Sustainability Manager Sarah Degrendel spoke about the Switch Together Bethlehem Solar Program, announcing a free online introduction to it from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. June 16. To register: mobilize.us/solarunitedneighbors/event/915002/.

She explained the nonprofit vets installers and assists building owners with basic information, personal recommendations and regional group savings without an obligation to purchase anything.

Attending online, Katy Knibbs from the Southside Arts District (SSAD) announced the Live on the Greenway Summer Concert Series begins May 24. A new lineup performs every Sunday at 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. through June 14 at Harmony Pavilion 362-332 Taylor St. She promoted the organization’s ticketed Sip & Slide Summer Cocktail Crawl happening 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. June 20.

Knibbs mentioned the 21st Annual Young Playwrights’ Festival, directed and performed by Touchstone Ensemble and special guests will feature works written by local student playwrights at the Northeast Middle School Theatre, 1170 Fernwood St. at 3 p.m. May 17.

Aliya Ali from YWCA Bethlehem announced a fundraiser sale of “TechGYRLS” T-shirts. Designed by students in the Future Designers program, sales of the shirts will help fund YWCA’s youth empowerment after-school programming.

Jennifer Labrador from Community Action Development Bethlehem highlighted upcoming community meetings and events, like free swimming classes.

Chris Kaklamanis from The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties mentioned he will be out on paternity leave soon.

Jacqueline Poplawski from the Bethlehem Area School District said May 8 is Kindergarten Welcoming Day for new students at Donegan ES.

Northside Alive Neighborhood Coordinator Celina Daddario promoted the upcoming Northeast Community Center’s Basket Social Fundraiser held at 1161 Fritz Dr. on June 6, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Carolina Hernandez and Adrienne McNeil from Lehigh University spoke about the Great South Side Sale being held at 10:30 a.m. June 6 at Broughal Middle School. They also discussed Lehigh University’s “Steel Rooted Wild Blooms” mural reveal at Country Club Brewing and the South Side Block Party at Broughal Middle School the first weekend in May.

3Sixty Pharma Solutions CEO Dalfoni Banerjee announced her company will be hiring a couple of Lehigh University interns for the summer.

Among the community partner updates, Santoro listed are:

• NCC’s Industrial Skills in Manufacturing pre-apprenticeship 10-week course for Summer 2026 begins May 26.

• The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study for the region’s 2027-2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)’s rough draft can be viewed and commented on at: lvpc.org/transportation-programs.

• The County of Lehigh Poll Worker Manual is available for online viewing.

• The City of Bethlehem Water & Sewer Resources Department is seeking help from customers in identifying the material of the water service line coming into their homes. They encourage residents to check their water service line for potential sources of lead, which should be removed when possible.

• A community-centered District Design Process has begun to plan for the future of BASD schools.

• BBeautiful Community Mapping for Environmental Justice released their Recycling Report for the City of Bethlehem.

Santoro said that there are still openings on Bethlehem authorities, boards and commissions as well as open positions at City Hall. Recruitment efforts continue with the Bethlehem Police Department.

Lehigh University Police Officer C.R. Stokes spoke about the benefits of therapy dogs.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month.