Polishing up the jewels of Johnstown

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May 16, 2008

BY CURT DAVIS The Tribune-Democrat Fri May 16, 2008, 12:07 PM EDT

A community needs some jewels to enhance its quality of life. Not every community has what we have, and I’m not sure we take the time and thought to appreciate that.

Have you spent a summer evening at Roxbury Park?

Did you marvel at the level of activity by many ages?

It almost seems as though every square inch of the park is in use. Baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, racquetball, in-line skate hockey and, of course, the very special playground.

And that’s not including the walkers on the perimeter path and the Boy Scout Jamboree.

I couldn’t begin to count the number of hours from my youth I spent on baseball and tennis at Roxbury Park. Then I switched to racquetball and volleyball with a little perimeter running on the side.

Lots of folks put in a few extra hours at the park. Numerous times I went there as a spectator or just for something to do and to be social.

Many a courtship began at the park.

Now we have the Roxbury Bandshell filled with activity, and an older generation reminds us of the glory days of the former Luna Park.

I could go on, but I think we need to move along.

Remember the old days at the Point Stadium? We’re on our way to creating memories for today’s youth.

The All American Amateur Baseball Association is going strong, along with some college baseball additions.

Bishop McCort football and soccer make for some big games.

How about a summer evening with the William Tell Overture leading into fireworks, or maybe a rock or country music concert?

It’s splendid to have a facility that would make Joseph Johns proud that he specified the area at the confluence of the rivers, known as thePoint, for community recreation.

Our founder would be pleased that we have maintained Central Park for community use. Music at the gazebo and lunch or conversation on a park bench are regular happenings.

I think a downtown lawyer said it best when she told me about a trying day and how the only thing that made her smile was looking out her window at the beautiful park.

If you don’t work downtown, you can attend a summer evening concert, or a New Year’s Eve celebration, or visit the Christmas house display while asking Santa for some gifts after the parade.

Those are my three favorite jewels.

But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Cambria County War Memorial Arena and its variety of events or the Heritage Discovery Center and its wealth of ethnic history.

Others have their own opinions as to the jewels of Johnstown. But I’m sure there are feelings that we have our share of jewels.

And I think we need to remember that, because it makes us part of the setting for the jewel that is Johnstown.

Curt Davis is Johnstown city manager.

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Polishing up the jewels of Johnstown

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