Many of us remember when summers in Memorial Park consisted of 3 softball games going on at the same time on one side of the street, a hard ball game on the other side of the street, summer league basketball games across from Joe’s Plumbing, and a few folks on the tennis court. Chester Park had their baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, and summer concerts.
It seems like overnight the games and concerts left and the parks became an eyesore. Even people who wanted to use the parks couldn’t because they were so unkept.
Yet, even with Chester’s meager budget, the Butler Team found a way to consistently fund improvements to parks and recreation over the past 10 years.
Now that many of our parks are beautiful again, it should encourage organizations, churches, and agencies to start creating more programs to keep our youth busy and off the streets.
Here is a partial list of where the city has spent real money to improve recreation, the parks, and open space in Chester. We all hope that this commitment doesn’t Change.
The George Carter Center (Boys & Girls Club) was funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. park was funded and built at Memorial Park to provide residents with a special area to honor Dr. King.
The swimming pool at Memorial Park was funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
The Memorial Park swimming pool pavilion was funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
The basketball courts at Memorial Park were funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
Ethel Waters Park improvements were funded and built to provide an opportunity for special events and enjoyment of the Chester Creek water's edge.
Crozer Park Little League fields were funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
Sun Village Park baseball fields were funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
YWCA building improvements were supported.
11th & Upland basketball courts funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
Crosby Square basketball courts were improved to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
Chester Park band shell was rehabilitated to provided entertainment venue for City residents.
Established numerous recreational programs through the Chester PAL program (Soap Box Derby, etc.).
The First Tee facility was funded and built to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities.
The Chester Park Nature Walk was funded and built in Chester park.
Chester Park playground equipment was installed to provide Chester youth with additional recreational opportunities (Kaboom).
7th Street basketball courts to be substantially improved this spring/summer to allow for expanded recreational activities for Chester youth.
The Riverwalk along the Delaware River was funded and built – now approximately one mile – one third of City waterfront to allow Chester residents to access and enjoy the Delaware River.
Barry Bridge Park was funded and constructed to reconnect City residents with the Delaware River.
Riverfront Ramble was created to provide an opportunity for Chester residents to enjoy food and entertainment in a riverfront setting.
Support for Chester Children's Chorus and Musicpia allowed for the expansion of their music programs in the Chester Upland School District.
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