Bethel Park rolls out welcome mat
Community day offered something for everyone
When Bethel Park extended an invitation to “everyone” to attend its annual community day, the municipality meant everybody. Residents and families from neighboring townships even enjoyed the festivities held Sept. 20.
Adi Chandra of Upper St. Clair brought his daughter, Naumi, because he said it was “close by” and he has friends who live in Bethel Park. “We’re next to neighbors,” he added.
Wyatt Kozak hailed from Mt. Lebanon and his guardians, Ann and Jerry Kopach, reside in Upper St. Clair.
“We needed to get him out of the house,” said Ann. “I knew they were having community day because I grew up in Bethel Park.”
Ann settled in Upper St. Clair because Jerry bought his parents’ house, the home in which he grew up.
“I love Bethel,” Ann said, “and community day is great, too. It just brings everybody together and the kids love it.”
While Wyatt enjoyed testing his hockey skills – he plays for the South Hills Amateur Hockey Association, which sponsors a league that plays at the adjacent Spencer Family YMCA – all ages engaged in an array of entertainment and activities that kicked off with a parade down main street, Library Avenue, in Bethel Park and proceeded to the high school campus.
Mayor Jack Allen and recreation director Jason Mentel opened festivities with a welcome to visitors, which also included a number of dignitaries and politicians, from the local to state level.
The Bethel Park High School marching band entertained the crowd with selections from its pre-game and halftime football shows, concluding with the traditional victory march.
Mentel noted the municipality took all the best parts of past community day programs and brought them together for this year’s event.
“We have all the community favorites and the sports associations are back.”
More than 60 organizations manned booths, providing games, refreshments and merchandise for purchase. According to Mayor Allen, the event is the “main fundraiser” for many of the nonprofit groups, including the school clubs.
Activities throughout the day included an inflatable obstacle course, slides, airbrush tattoos, balloon artist, toddler play area, strolling magician, caricaturists and a DJ providing tunes.
“I love community day,” said Carl Schwilm, while watching his children Emma and Tyler play the hound races at the Interact Club’s booth. “There are lots of things for the kids to do and a lot of activities for everybody. I like that there are a lot of things to do here but not just on this day. It’s a great community with a great library and other amenities.”
Nick Boyko agreed. He strolled the grounds with his boys, Theo and Jamie, while his wife, Lindsay, a Penn-Trafford native, worked at a booth. Boyko, who grew up in McKeesport, explained she is on the municipality’s tree commission.
“We love Bethel Park. Everything. All the activities they offer for the kids, the community center, community day, the new Splash Park. That’s a nice addition to the community.”
For five years, the Kurta family has lived in Bethel Park. Amy and Zach have brought their daughter, Claire, to community days in the past but said this was the first year she has been able to enjoy it.
“She was too little before,” Amy said. “It’s awesome watching her and getting to see her play with everybody and really enjoying herself.”
Since he and his family “landed” in Bethel Park in 2017, Eric McElvenney has loved the community. A triathlete who has participated in two ParaOlympic Games, he noted the sports programs are “really good” and the schools are great. Plus, McElvenney and his wife, Rachael, have participated in the YMCA Princess and Guide program with their children, Lupe, Elise and Will. The youth are also involved in sporting activities as well as band and orchestra.
A community day like Bethel Park’s McElvenney said, “doesn’t happen in every community. It’s special. You can ask questions and learn about all the different clubs and organizations it offers as well as the resources they have here.”