Pocono News Section

Major Improvements for Cameron Park

Major Improvements for Cameron Park - Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 5:08PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Tuesday, Oct 13, 2009 @ 05:08pm EDT
Sunbury, Northumberland County-

A century-old local park steeped in history and tradition is set for a major facelift. We were at the groundbreaking at Sunbury's Cameron Park to get reaction from people's first look at the new plans.

As children sang "America the Beautiful," there was a patriotic feeling at the park Tuesday morning- a place built in honor of those who've defended our freedom.

Now the park is set to see some major improvements.

Sunbury Mayor Jesse Woodring said, "Well, I think we've looked at the park and we're saying this park could be more than what it is, as beautiful as it is, and as proud of the park as we are."

Folks who frequent the park, and attended the groundbreaking, were pleased by the new plans.

Carmen Rae Campbell, of Sunbury, explained, "A lot of the spaces didn't have grass and everything before. And now they're going to make sure the drainage is better so that they can grow the grass. And it's going to be wonderful I think."

The $400,000 bill for the upgrades will be covered through state funding.

Landscape architect Dan James noted, "The plan provides for 28 new benches. It provides for new trees. It provides for better spaces for the festivals that go on here. It provides for a lot of new flowers and planting."

Infrastructure work, especially the park's lighting and electrical components, will also be a major focus.

And all the park's war monuments will be re-organized in one location.

People in favor of the renovations say the goal is to continue honoring the veteran's of Sunbury's past, while making the park more attractive to those who will use it in the future.

The initial uproar from veterans over the moving of the monuments seems to have quieted since the plans have been unveiled.

Gail Leightley, of Sunbury, added, "Certainly we want to honor our veterans. But if we do it at one end of the park or the other, I don't see that that's a big issue."

The park’s original fountain- which was sold several years ago- is also being donated back to the city.

All the work at Cameron Park should be finished by spring.