NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
22 September 2003

UPTOWN BRAXTON PLAYGROUND UNDERGOES COMPLETE RESTORATION

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today conducted dedication services for the newly rehabilitated Braxton Playground, located in the 2100 block of N. Seventh in the city’s Uptown. The comprehensive renovation effort cost more than $112,000.00, with funding provided by an array of federal, state and city sources, as well as local non-profit organizations.

Reed said the Braxton Playground was first constructed by the city in the early 1990’s in honor of former Harrisburg City Councilwoman Harriet Braxton, who lives nearby. Today’s dedication marks the second such rehab effort conducted at the site since then.

The Mayor said work at the popular neighborhood playground included the removal of all worn out equipment and installation of two new climbers, swings, spring toys, benches and tables. A new walkway system, ground cover and landscaping were also added, including 17 new trees planted. New signage and a dedication plaque in honor of Mrs. Braxton were also installed. Additional painting, fencing and other work was performed by city parks maintenance personnel.

Reed said that of the total project cost of $112,954.68, $82,611 of that came from a National Park Service Urban Park and Recreation Recovery(UPARR) grant, one of only 71 projects funded across the country this year out of more than 161 applications filed. Under the auspices of the Harrisburg Parks Partnership, the Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority contributed $25,405.00 to the project, and state Representative Ron Buxton secured $10,000 in funding from the state Dept. of Community and Economic Development for the work.

Additional private funding was provided by Richard T. Reynolds, Citizens Bank, PA-American Water Co., Fulton Bank, Verizon, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, PinnacleHealth Systems, Brenner Motors, Inc., Allfirst Bank, Penn National Insurance Co., Kler H. Jones Sr., Elsie L. Caldwell, Ronald and Susan March, Joyce A. Bolden, Sheila Dow-Ford, and Randy and Tina King.

The Mayor said Rogele Inc. served as General Contractor for the project, and H. Edward Black and Associates provided the design work. Bitting Recreation provided the Game Time brand play equipment, and project management was performed by Tina Manoogian-King, Director of the city Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and Russ Corkle, Director of the Bureau of Parks Maintenance.

XXX