SCRANTON — Scranton plans to undertake two more playground improvements in the city — at the John G. Whittier Elementary School in South Side and at Gerrity Park in North Scranton.
Scranton City Council last week acted on separate pieces of legislation from Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti regarding seeking grant funding for both projects. They are part of the city’s broader commitment to enhancing community recreation spaces, ensuring equitable access to high-quality amenities and promoting healthy, active lifestyles for all residents, according to legislation of the projects.
Gerrity Park
Council adopted a resolution June 17 authorizing the city to seek a grant of up to $200,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation program, for improvements to Gerrity Park at 1700 Perry Ave.
A project narrative describes Gerrity Park as “a small but vital neighborhood park” and an “essential recreational space for residents of the surrounding community.” The park in recent years had gotten new playground equipment and had a perimeter fence replaced, which have revitalized overall appearance and usability, but further upgrades are necessary to fully meet the evolving needs of the community, particularly in the areas of accessibility, safety and overall functionality.
The resolution adds: “This project involves renovation designs to make the park more inclusive, user-friendly and aligned with modern safety standards.” A key new feature would be a sidewalk loop installed around the park to promote walkability and active recreation for users of all ages and abilities, and create a safe and continuous path for walking, jogging and other forms of exercise. The project also calls for installing a poured-in-place rubber surface in the playground area, to significantly enhance safety by reducing risks of injuries from falls. This kind of surface also would provide a more accessible play environment for children with disabilities and individuals with mobility challenges.
The total cost of the proposed improvement project is estimated at $230,000. Along with the $200,000 state grant, if awarded, the balance of $30,000 would come from the city’s 2024 allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds, as a “local match” contribution, according to the legislation.
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
Whittier Schoolyard Project
Council introduced a resolution June 17 to authorize the city to seek a state grant of up to $250,000 from the same DCED program as above, for this project, which aims to “enhance the schoolyard environment by installing age-appropriate play equipment, accessible seating, ADA-compliant furniture, trash and recycling receptacles, and a safety-focused poured-in-place rubber surfacing beneath play structures,” the resolution says.
Landscaping improvements would include new planting soil, hardwood mulch, shrubs, perennials, canopy trees, and native vegetation to support a rain garden and improve site ecology. Green infrastructure practices would manage stormwater runoff, while temporary fencing, erosion control and site preparation would ensure a safe construction process. The project aims to create a multifunctional outdoor space for play, learning, sustainability and community use.
The total cost of the schoolyard project is estimated at $287,500. Along with the $250,000 state grant, if awarded, the balance of $37,500 would come from the Trust for Public Land, as the local match contribution. The Trust for Public Land is a national organization committed to creating parks and protecting land for people, to ensure healthy, livable communities, according to the legislation.
The John G. Whittier Elementary School in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
This resolution likely would come back before council for a vote on adoption at council’s next regular weekly meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
The Whittier Schoolyard Project is similar to one at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in South Side that was completed and opened earlier this month. The JFK schoolyard project involved a collaboration of the Scranton School District, the city of Scranton, the local nonprofit Valley in Motion and Trust for Public Land. It also had JFK third graders giving input on designs and features of the conversion of a parking lot at that school into a vibrant playground and public community space.
Children who two years ago while in third grade helped design a new community schoolyard playground at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Scranton participated in a ribbon-cutting during a grand-opening celebration of the schoolyard on Friday, June 6, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Council unanimously voted in favor of adopting the Gerrity Park resolution and introducing the Whittier Schoolyard resolution, with council President Gerald Smurl, Bill King, Mark McAndrew, Jessica Rothchild and Tom Schuster all voting yes on both pieces of legislation.
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
Gerrity Park in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO
The John G. Whittier Elementary School in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The John G. Whittier Elementary School in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The John G. Whittier Elementary School in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The John G. Whittier Elementary School in Scranton on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)