Michael Drabenstott

First look at Franklin Park major renovation plan supported by a $4 million Bezos Earth Fund grant

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City of Allentown officials, community leaders and a representative from the Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities initiative today shared a first look at plans for the renovation of Franklin Park, a vital 1.1-acre neighborhood space west of 14th street between Chew and Turner streets. A rendering of the extensive project showed intergenerational amenities including … Read more

Parknership receives $750,000 grant to renovate historic Tack Barn in Lehigh Parkway

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A restoration of the historic Tack Barn (right) in Lehigh Parkway is forthcoming thanks to a generous $750,000 grant to the Allentown Parknership from an Allentown family that has loved using the Parkway for generations. The restoration project will include structural stabilization, roof and masonry repairs, and adaptive reuse planning to ensure the Tack Barn … Read more

Parknership receives $4 million Bezos Earth Fund grant for Franklin Park

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The Allentown Parknership has received a $4 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities initiative to fund a comprehensive regreening and renovation of the City of Allentown’s Franklin Park, a vital 1.1-acre neighborhood space west of 14th street between Chew and Turner streets. Allentown is one of eight urban areas sharing $100 … Read more

Parknership invests in water safety initiative for Allentown’s kids

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The City of Allentown has announced a joint initiative between the Allentown Department of Parks and Recreation, the Allentown Parknership, and River Crossing YMCA to provide free “Safety Around Water” lessons to all children enrolled in the City’s Summer Playground Program. This announcement, timed with National Water Safety Month, is a targeted effort to expand … Read more

Bringing neighbors together: Parknership invests in City’s Monday Funday program

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In 2026, the Allentown Parknership will be investing in the City of Allentown’s popular Monday Funday program to bringing additional resources, healthy food options, and expanded community offerings at parks across the city from May through October. The investment will help the City build on the momentum from a successful program in 2025 that brought … Read more

Donations from public and Allentown Parknership fund new Lights in the Parkway display, replacing vandal-damaged fixture

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Holiday Grinches were no match for a resilient public, a dedicated City of Allentown Parks and Recreation staff, and The Allentown Parknership. Thanks to the generosity of donors and The Allentown Parknership, a new display is scheduled to welcome visitors to the 2026-2027 Lights in the Parkway, replacing a display that was vandalized in mid-December … Read more

Make a difference in 2026 with your year-end gift

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Please join us as an investor in Allentown’s amazing park and recreation system.  Whether the park closest to your heart is Lehigh Parkway, Fountain Park, Cedar Beach, Keck Park, or another of the over 44 parks and recreation facilities throughout the city, your support is key to making great things a reality.  Donate now! The … Read more

Parks plan review ends Nov. 23

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The City of Allentown has been working on a comprehensive strategic plan for parks and recreation over the past year. Multiple public input sessions and extensive conversations with key stakeholders have informed the development of the comprehensive and detailed plan. The public comment period for the plan ends Sunday, November 23. See the plan and … Read more

Stevens Park event celebrates community

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On Saturday, June 28, we joined City of Allentown officials, community leaders, and neighbors and friends for a ribbon cutting for The Allentown Parknership’s first project: a full-court basketball court at Stevens Park, 6th and Tilghman streets. The event kicked off a day-long celebration featuring community groups, Allentown non-profits, food and music. Kyle Edwards from … Read more

Our first park improvement project: full-court basketball court in Stevens Park

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Stevens Park, 6th and Tilghman in Allentown

A new full-court basketball court is on the way this summer for users of Stevens Park, 6th and Tilghman streets, thanks to funding from The Allentown Parknership. The court is the organization’s first park improvement project in the city. Construction of the basketball court is expected to start by June and be completed this summer. … Read more

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