NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
10 June 2002

NEWLY REHABILITATED PENN & DAUPHIN STREETS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND RENAMED IN HONOR OF BENJAMIN & GLORIA OLEWINE

Harrisburg, PA — A $55,000 grant from the Benjamin and Gloria Olewine Charitable Lead Trust Fund has transformed the former Penn and Dauphin Playground in Harrisburg into a distinctive new community recreation facility, Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced during rededication ceremonies for the popular neighborhood park, which the Mayor has renamed the Olewine Playground in honor of the noted city philanthropist.

The site is the first of many city playgrounds that will undergo complete restoration in the coming months as part of the ongoing Mayor’s Parks Improvement Program, which is being funded in part by the Harrisburg Parks Partnership “Places of Hope” Capital Campaign, a major fundraising campaign launched by the Mayor, private businesses, and civic leaders late last year.

Reed said the new playground site has undergone a complete transformation thanks to the generosity of the Benjamin and Gloria Olewine Charitable Lead Fund. The respected city businessman and philanthropist grew up in the neighborhood surrounding the park, where he enjoyed many hours of fun and recreation as a youth. Olewine’s love for the park led to the decision to provide funding for its rehabilitation.

“We are delighted to dedicate this outstanding new neighborhood park facility,” said the Mayor, “and our special thanks is extended to the Olewine Trust for its significant contribution to make it possible. Benjamin Olewine is a much beloved and respected city father, whose contributions to both business and civic life serve as inspiration for all citizens

“Today’s dedication marks a full circle for Mr. Olewine, for it is here that many of the happy memories of his youth were created. The Olewine Trust’s generous support for this effort allows for future generations of Harrisburg youth to likewise experience the fun and recreation that a young Ben Olewine did. Today, he truly gives back!”

The Mayor said the work involved included the removal of all older or obsolete play apparatus, the installation of a new three-bay swingset, multi-purpose climber, sliding boards, spring toys and ground cover. New park benches, trash containers, border ties and signage were also installed as part of the project, and new concrete sidewalks were poured throughout the park area. A donor plaque recognizing the playground’s new name was also permanently installed.

Reed said the newly completed playground evokes a patriotic ambience, with the new equipment color-coordinated in red, white and blue. Design work for the site was provided by noted city landscape architect H. Edward Black and Associates, along with Bitting Recreation. Womer Landscaping performed much of the work at the site, in- cluding the installation of the high-quality Gametime playground equipment. Construction management of the project was provided in-house by Tina Manoogian-King, Director of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Mayor noted that the site will be one of many staffed this summer as part of the city’s summer recreation program, which provides supervised, structured recreational opportunities for all city youth through mid-August at dozens of park and playground sites. Participants are also provided with a nutritious lunch each day, which are provided by the Harrisburg School District.

Reed said the Olewine Playground rehabilitation is part of the Mayor’s comprehensive Parks Improvement Program, which has realized more than $68 million in new investment in the city’s parks, playgrounds and open spaces since early 1983. Six additional neighborhood playground sites will be fully rehabbed under the project within the next two years. Other sites slated for work include the Vernon Street, 19th & Forster Streets, Braxton, Penn & Sayford Streets, Gorgas and Pool #2 Playgrounds.

Mayor Reed said those interested in learning more about the Places of Hope Campaign should contact the Harrisburg Parks Partnership at (717) 233.7462 or by writing to P.O. Box 5805, Harrisburg, Pa 17110-0805. All contributions to the campaign are tax-deductible.

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