Construction to resume on Molly Maguire park

Published: March 16, 2010

Article Tools
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
Our Social Networks
Facebook
Facebook
Sign Up newsletter

MAHANOY CITY - Construction is expected to begin again on the long-awaited Molly Maguire Historical Park in this Schuylkill County borough.

Borough council Vice President Patricia A. Schnitzius, chairwoman of the Community Development Committee, said it is anticipated construction on the park should begin in the spring and six information panels for it will soon be ready.

In the works since 2002, the park, near the Citizens Fire Company in the downtown, is expected to be a focal point for people interested in anthracite region history. Local officials hope it will be a must-see destination for visitors to Schuylkill County.

Noted artist Zenos Frudakis has been commissioned to create the park's elements depicting the struggles of anthracite coal miners and their families. Frudakis is the same artist who was commissioned for the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial at Main and Washington streets in Shenandoah.

"In the spring we anticipate the work on the park to begin, as well as the paving," Schnitzius said.

Her words, no doubt, were music to the ears of many, including the local community revitalization group Mahanoy Downtown Inc.

The borough council in December opened bids for paving work and the installation of benches and security cameras at a cost of about $59,000 by Donohue Excavating and Paving, Schuylkill Haven.

After the meeting, Schnitzius said funding for the work comes from the federal government stimulus money except for the statue of a grieving widow, for which the search for funding continues.

"We'll be resuming the adopt-a-brick fundraiser for the park," she said.

In that fundraiser, people have the opportunity to purchase bricks for the park engraved in honor of or in memory of loved ones.

"It will be an educational resource for the community and for people visiting and learning more about our history."

It will also be yet another enhancement in the downtown renewal Mahanoy City is pursuing.

Ads by Yahoo!






Type in the characters you see in the picture below. If you have trouble reading the characters in the picture, click it to see a new one.



Be the first to comment on this article!