The City of Reading today held a groundbreaking ceremony at the historic Reading Iron Playground, located at 723 Laurel St. The event, attended by Mayor Eddie Morán, city officials, and community members, marked the beginning of an ambitious renovation project aimed at revitalizing one of the city’s most beloved recreational spaces.
The $649,900 project, which is funded through a combination of a $237,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), $200,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act, $100,000 from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and $112,900 from the City’s Capital Improvement Funds, will bring significant improvements to the park. These enhancements were designed in collaboration with the community to ensure that the upgrades reflect the needs and desires of the local residents.
Mayor Eddie Morán delivered a heartfelt speech at the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the park to the Reading community. “As we take a significant step in revitalizing one of Reading’s beloved community spaces, we celebrate its transformation into a space that honors its history by embracing new opportunities for outdoor activities and community engagement,” Morán stated.
The Mayor highlighted the key improvements that will be made, including a new playset, additional swings, a volleyball court, and a new sidewalk that will connect the park to the community garden and provide ADA access from Laurel Street. The project also includes refurbishments to the baseball field, fencing, lighting, and the introduction of new surfaces for the playground area.
“These enhancements are driven by the voices of our community,” Morán said, referring to the extensive community engagement that informed the project’s design. “Through community meetings, we heard your request for refurbished baseball fields, additional swings, a volleyball court, a new playset, and increased security with enhanced fencing and lighting.”
The Mayor underscored the broader impact of these improvements on the community, particularly for young people. “In order to ask young adults to stay away from potential violence, we have to give them a space where they can thrive, where they can have a better opportunity to do the things they want to do. This is a stepping stone,” he noted.
As the first shovels broke ground, the ceremony symbolized not just the start of construction, but the beginning of a new chapter for the Reading Iron Playground. “This project is just another example of what we can achieve when we listen to our community and work together,” Morán concluded. “I look forward to seeing the Reading Iron Playground come to life in new and exciting ways, and I know it will continue to be a place where memories are made for generations to come.”
