New outdoor ‘quiet area’ opens at Bethel Park Community Center
A picturesque outdoor “quiet area” has opened at Bethel Park Community Center.
“It kind of furthers our goal of providing recreation for everybody,” community center director Cathy Muscato said at the start of an Aug. 22 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Recreation in the new space can include such activities as playing games, reading a book or its electronic equivalent, or simply sitting and listening to the bubbling of a pair of fountains.
“We’re recycling water from the roof,” Tim Moury, Bethel Park Council president, said. “There are two 500-gallon tanks. One services each of the water features.”
The quiet space’s official name is the Bethel Park Community Foundation Courtyard, to be enclosed by a fence with a wrought-iron gate when the materials arrive.
Inside are such amenities as two tables with checkerboards imprinted on top, a paver path, trellis and more than 50 flowers and other decorative plants.
“This is a place where someone can go sit and relax and enjoy the beautiful space while their children or other family members are in the center taking a class,” Moury said. “We also thought it would be a perfect backdrop for a marriage ceremony, photos for memorable occasions and other events held at the center.”
Making the project possible financially is the Bethel Park Community Foundation, a nonprofit group that focuses on supporting community facilities, education, recreational activities, the arts, and health and safety.
“We donated $15,000 for the quiet area, so please let our money go to good use,” Britney Hollick, president of the foundation’s board of trustees, said. “Use it. Tell friends about it. And enjoy it.”
Municipal manager Laurence Christian acknowledged director of engineering Stacey Graf for her role in the designing the courtyard, and the public works department, directed by Susan Dolinar, for carrying out the project.
In addition to the water features, installed by Northern Cascade Supplies of Richland Township, everything else was completed by public works employees Angel Alcaraz and Gregg Kelly.
“We are truly blessed to have them in our ranks,” Christian said. “And we truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you, because this wouldn’t have happened without (Kelly and Alcaraz).”
Muscato, who also serves as the municipality’s assistant recreation director, spoke about modifications that have been made inside the community center to help ensure safety for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, hand sanitizer is available in multiple locations.
“We have marks on the floor that show you how to walk as far as directionally and where to stand,” she said. “The staff has been put behind Plexiglas, so that everybody should be safe.”
The center is open for properly safeguarded events for rent, and to be offered for the fall are 43 youth programs and 39 adult programs. Plus the track on the upper level is available for use again.
“People will be able to come in for 45-minute scheduled walks, walking on the inside and outside lanes, keeping the middle one as a buffer lane,” Muscato said. “We’re encouraging people to wear masks, but it’s not mandatory. Luckily for us, our lanes are exactly six feet apart, so we’re totally in compliance with social distancing.”
Social distancing also is in effect at Bethel Park Recreation Farmers Market, which takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays in South Park’s VIP parking lot, off Corrigan Drive. For more information, visit www.bethelparkfarmersmarket.com.