Community

Free community event in Bellefonte to connect local parks

BELLEFONTE -- On Sunday, Aug. 27, from 1-4 p.m., South Potter Street from West High Street to Hillary Street, the streets will be closed to vehicle traffic and open for residents and neighbors to walk, bike and stroll on this car-free connection between Masullo and Talleyrand Parks.

This event is free and open to the public and will feature a variety of family-friendly activities including a bike rodeo for younger riders looking to practice their cycling skills by WalkWorks, helmet fittings with The Bike Roost, aquatic bug exploration with Trout Unlimited, food from Super Duper Cafe, e-bikes and cookies at My Cafe Buzz, a community-created chalk mural, face painting, a kids obstacle course, music and more.

Other participants include CentreBike, Rad Wheels Skateshop, The Stage at Talleyrand, The Print Factory, Happy Valley Women's Cycling, Felicity's Pet Supplies and Bellefonte Historical Railroad.

The Bellefonte Historic Preservation Foundation is activating South Potter Street as part of a community initiative to improve active travel to Talleyrand and Masullo parks in Bellefonte. The event's tagline, "Stop. Look. Imagine." invites all residents to be part of the community planning process to improve connections to local parks.

During the event, residents will be asked to share their ideas for safe walking and biking between Talleyrand and Masullo Parks. They will also be invited to provide feedback on several community goals to improve park access.

These goals include the development of a trail along the decommissioned railway connecting the two parks, improving connectivity across Spring Creek, addressing safety issues at high-traffic intersections and enhancing access for people to walk and bike to parks and local businesses downtown and throughout the region.

"Imagine This" outdoor vignettes created by Schuster's Landscaping and education outreach about the potential future of S. Potter Street and the Talleyrand and Masullo Park will be present at the event allowing participants to further engage with the space.

Bellefonte is one of four communities selected to participate in the Safe Routes to Parks Pennsylvania Activating Communities program which focuses on improving safe and equitable local park access.

As part of this year's cohort, Bellefonte is receiving training and coaching from the Safe Routes Partnership, a national organization, to develop an action plan for improving active travel to local parks. This community event follows on the heels of a two-day community workshop hosted last month where over 60 supporters gathered to discuss future projects to improve access to local parks in Bellefonte.

The Safe Routes to Parks Pennsylvania Activating Communities program aims to remove barriers that make it challenging for people to enjoy the physical, social, and mental health benefits that parks offer and proactively work toward ensuring safe, secure access to parks and open spaces.

Over the long term, with increased safety and accessibility, Safe Routes to Parks seeks to increase park usage and improve health for people of all ages, races, abilities, and income levels.

For more details about future events and getting involved contact jennilyn.schuster@gmail.com. Follow Safe Routes to Parks Bellefonte on Instagram and Facebook for event and project updates.

About Bellefonte Historic Preservation Foundation (BHPF)

The mission of the Bellefonte Historic Preservation Foundation (BHPF) is to promote the preservation of the unique architectural, cultural and landscaped heritage within the Bellefonte Borough and the Bellefonte Intervalley Region. BHPF works to invest in the reconstruction, restoration, and reimagination of the historical sites, structures, areas, artifacts, and ideals of preservation in Bellefonte, while fostering and promoting public interest in Bellefonte's heritage. For more information, please visit https://bellefontehpf.org/

About the Safe Routes Partnership

The Safe Routes Partnership advances safe walking and bicycling to and from schools, to improve the health and well-being of kids of all races, income levels, and abilities, and to foster the creation of healthy communities for everyone. For more information, please visit saferoutespartnership.org