New logo, slogan represent fresh approach for Bethel Park Recreation

As a youngster, Nate Roth attended Bethel Park Recreation’s day camp program, and later worked as a camp counselor.
As a graphic artist, he has lent his talents to help come up with a fresh look for the hosting municipal department.
“It’s really a nice coming-home story, that he’s the one to design the final version of our new logo,” Cathy Muscato, assistant recreation director, said.

Bethel Park Recreation has a new logo and accompanying slogan.
Roth provided a culmination to the summertime contest to update the motif of Bethel Park Recreation’s aged emblem, coupled with a contemporary slogan. He combined the top entries in both categories to develop an eye-catching design bearing the words, “Boundless Possibilities.”
“We like that it’s so wide open, because recreation means different things to absolutely everybody,” Muscato said. “The other nice thing about it is you can play off the ‘B’ and the ‘P’ for Bethel Park.”
Recreation director Chuck Stover said the slogan entry by Diane Stapley and Chuck Judy resonated with the folks who were judging the contest.
“Everyone had two or three favorites, and there were some great submissions, like ‘People, Programs, Parks.’ But all of us kept going back to ‘Boundless Possibilities,'” he said. “We don’t want to just put ourselves in a box and say, this is all we are.”
The selected slogan summarizes what Bethel Park Recreation is offering as of 2020, activities varying from traditional sporting events to virtual programs that have proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further reflecting the department’s philosophy is the August opening of an outdoor “quiet area” at the Bethel Park Community Center, for which Muscato serves as director. The area provides visitors with the likes of permanent chessboards and a tranquil atmosphere for reading or meditating.
The new logo, based on entries by John Roth and Aidan Walsh, likewise incorporates an array of activities.
“We love it,” Muscato said. “We’re going to use it everywhere. It has current colors. It shows different types of recreation. It shows diversity and inclusion, which is very important.”
The contest drew 63 logo and 53 slogan entries from Bethel Park residents.
“It was great to see the participation,” Stover said.
He reported plenty of positive feedback on social media, along the lines of: “I’m glad we’re moving forward.”

Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Jayme Siatkowsky and daughter Madyson are ready to take Wood Stoked Oven orders.
Bethel Park Recreation has moved forward on an idea that basically extends one aspect of the department’s Tuesday afternoon farmers markets, which got off to a late start this year because of COVID-19.
At least through Dec. 8, No-Cook Tuesdays will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. in the community center’s lower parking lot, off Park Avenue near the Schoolhouse Arts & History Center. Food trucks, as featured at the farmers market, are selling their wares as an alternative to people preparing dinner at home.
Vendors present Nov. 10 for the first No-Cook Tuesday were friendly folks from Trolley Stop Inn on Route 88 and Wood Stoked Oven LLC, based in Castle Shannon.
“I think it’s a great thing for the community. A lot of vendors are doing a lot of things outside, now that we’re having so much trouble with capacity on the inside,” Rich Wolfe, Trolley Stop general manager, said. “And it’s a good opportunity for us. We just started getting into catering along with our other business, so we like to show people what we’re doing now.”
Scheduled for Nov. 17 are Ash & Kris Kitchen, featuring Middle Eastern cuisine, and Yovi’s, offering Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
“I think we’re all kind of looking for something fun,” Muscato said, “and food that you don’t have to cook yourself is always fun.”

Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Representing Trolley Stop Inn are, from left, Paul Holzer, Stephanie Crawford, Rich Wolfe and Hannah Knetzer.