Doylestown Twp. “Tops Off” $12.9M Central Park Improvement Project

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Doylestown Township officials gathered at the site of the future Community Recreation Center on Tuesday to celebrate the topping off of the project.

“It’s an honor to be here today for a moment that highlights the power of community and of possibility. We’re celebrating today the topping off of Doylestown Township’s Community Recreation Center, soon to be the cornerstone of a renovated Central Park,” said Jennifer Herring, the chair of the board of supervisors. “This is more than just a construction project. It’s a reflection of what happens when people unite with a common goal.”

Herring said when the township first began the project, “We didn’t just envision a building. We envisioned a place for our community to grow, where families connect, young people thrive, and memories are made for generations to come.”

The nearly $13 million project is designed to enhance Central Park with new athletic courts, a comfort station, and at the heart of the project, a new 18,000-square-foot community recreation center that will house the township's recreation programs.

The center will be anchored by an indoor gymnasium and will include a warming kitchen, an all-purpose room, a lobby, and an indoor/outdoor patio area with a fireplace.

Signing a beam that will be hoisted to the top of the new building are Doylestown Township Supervisors, from left, Dan Wood, Judy Dixon, Jen Herring and Barbara Lyons.

Supervisor Barbara Lyons addresses the gathering. With her are Supervisors Jen Herring, Judy Dixon, Dan Wood and State Sen. Steve Santarsiero.

A rendering of the new Community Recreation Center now under construction at Central Park.

“This recreation center will be a gathering place for all ages, whether through youth programs, fitness classes, or simply spending time with loved ones,” said Herring. “It will foster health, well being, and a deep sense of belonging, all vital to a strong community.

“But this project is also about the future, about preserving and enhancing Central Park, which has been at the heart of Doylestown Township for nearly 30 years,” she said. “As we near that milestone, it is fitting that we’re taking steps to insure it remains a beautiful and welcoming space for generations to come.”

The Central Park Improvement Project also includes the construction of two new basketball courts, four new tennis courts, six pickleball courts, and two bocce ball courts, which will be the home base for the Special Olympics Bocce Ball Team.

In addition, a Comfort Cottage housing public restrooms will be built near Kids Castle and the park's outdoor amphitheater. It will serve all the outdoor areas of Central Park.

The project is designed by MKSD Architects and is being engineered by Pickering, Corts & Summerson, Gilmore & Associates and Pennoni. Construction of the project is by CRC, Skepton Construction, U.S. Solutions, and Hirschberg Mechanical.

Herring thanked the township’s community partners, the project team including director of operations Dave Tomko, facilities manager Rick Schea and township manager Stephanie Mason, the parks and recreation department and all the employees and volunteers who made the project possible.

Checking out the progress of the new gymnasium are supervisors, from left, Judy Dixon, Chair Jen Herring, Barbara Lyons and Dan Wood. At far right is State Senator Steve Santarsiero.

"I’d also like to thank the board of supervisors and the members of the parks and recreation board who have waited years to see such a facility get underway," she said.

Herring also expressed appreciation to the township's Capital Campaign Committee for reaching out to donors and sponsors "to help reach our goal of raising $3 million in grants, donations and sponsorships."

Herring also singled out Supervisor Barbara Lyons who she said has worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition. "Her dedication and love for this community have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life."

Lyons told the gathering that "this germ of an idea was put in my head back in the 1990s when I started to volunteer on the park board. And it grew on me and grew on me. But older than me with this idea were Stephanie Mason, Kathy Brown and Karen Sweeney. Those three women deserve a big hand," she said.

Lyons, who has taken on a fundraising role with the project, reported that the township's capital campaign has raised $2.25 million to date toward its $3 million goal.

"We still need $750,000 more," said Lyons, who said she's confident they'll raise the balance by the end of the year through additional sponsorships and donations.

“I want to thank the folks who have given substantial money and pledges,” said Lyons, who encourages everyone to make a donation through the township's website. "Go on the website and make a donation. Keep it all coming. We are so grateful."

There are several ways to contribute, said Lyons. You can be a donor, a sponsor or you can leave a legacy, in which your name or your organization's name becomes a permanent part of the facility—an enduring legacy for future generations to see.

For more information, follow this link to the Capital Campaign Fundraising Page.

One of the largest contributions to the Capital Campaign came from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a $1.5 million grant secured by State Senator Steve Santarsiero under the Wolf Administration. He was on hand at the topping ceremony to commend the township for having the vision to bring what's going to be an "awesome amenity" to the township.

"I'm glad we at the state - Gov. Wolf and now Gov. Shapiro - were able to come through with our capital grant and I know it's made a difference. This will be a focal point of the township for many years to come. It's a win for Doylestown Township and the whole area."

Following the remarks, Santarsiero joined the supervisors, the township's staff and volunteers, and representatives from the project's contractors, in signing a beam that will be hoisted into place at the top of the gymnasium to complete the frame of the new gymnasium.

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero signs a beam that will be hoisted to the top of the new gymnasium.