Editorials
Polishing up the jewels of Johnstown
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.
- Editorials
-
-
Send a letter to the readers' forum
To encourage the widest use of this forum, letters must be limited to 250 words. The Tribune-Democrat does not publish anonymous letters or letters addressed to others.
-
Readers' Forum 9-3 | How America has regressed
On Aug. 25, while digging for the new Quemahoning pipeline in my neighborhood, the contractor tore my phone line.
-
Parking terminal in trauma
An ancient proverb, dating to the days of Confucius in China, tells us: “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
-
Readers' Forum 9-2 | Administration’s end-run on sportsmen
Backers of gun control and their lobbyists, President Obama and the Environmental Protection Agency are teaming up to end-run the ban on guns, only they plan to do so by making ammunition so expensive most Americans cannot afford it.
-
Put teeth into death penalty
We long have supported Pennsylvania’s death penalty, believing that it serves as a deterrent to homicides and other horrendous crimes.
-
Readers' Forum 9-1 | Call would have brought prompt response
This is a response to Paul Abram’s Aug. 18 comments headlined “Westmont blight going unchecked.”
-
Extracurriculars conundrum
With lights going on Friday night at high school football stadiums across the region, a recent story from The Associated Press is both timely and illuminating.
-
New kid on the block
Cambria City’s historic district has just gotten more exciting.
-
Readers' Forum 8-31| Delweld coach, players earn longtime fan
I’m very proud of the Delweld baseball team. Its manager, Chris DelSignore, is very dedicated to the team, and it shows.
-
Readers' Forum 8-30 | County’s financial picture not all rosy
In a July 13 editorial, The Tribune-Democrat urged Cambria County residents to applaud their commissioners’ efforts to improve the county’s financial standing.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Send a letter to the readers' forum
