News

June 20, 2009

At new park, many children soak up the fun

Fountain a hit with kids; kayakers, cyclists and walkers also enjoy day

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – While the speeches were being made at the riverfront, the sounds of children laughing and splashing could be heard on the other side of the portal.

Dignitaries were offering details about the $23 million River Common project to hundreds of onlookers, but it was the children that epitomized the message of the day.

They were having fun.

Pure and simple, these kids were running through the waters of the new fountain at Millennium Circle getting soaked and enjoying every second of it.

“I think this is a great idea, especially the fountains,” said Sharon Altieri of Plymouth. Her son Arlo, 4, was trying to decide if he wanted to enter the waters spewing from the fountains.

“I’m sure he will get in there,” Altieri said. “He knows you can’t go in the fountains on Public Square, so he might be a little afraid.”

Dozens of other children of all ages never hesitated when the fountains came on. And they never heard one word of any of the speeches.

The new River Common will attract many visitors and many activities. Kayakers were paddling up and down the Susquehanna River and fishing boats motored around. Bicyclists rode by and stopped to listen and other people walked their dogs on the new concrete path atop the levee.

It was the first official day for the River Common. People came to see the sandstone and brick work, the perennials, the trees, the fishing pier, the amphitheater, the wildflowers and the river – the star of the show.

“This is a great, great project,” Dr. Nicholas Giordano said. “This is a community asset and I am sure it will help attract new industry to the area.”

Giordano and his wife, Barbara, said they walk the levee in Kingston regularly and they have watched the River Common project grow during the past year.

“It’s great to see this finally become a reality for everyone to use and enjoy,” Barbara Giordano said.

Frank Kratz of Susquehanna River Adventures was paddling a kayak in the river just before the start of the ceremonies. There were about 10 other kayaks on the river.

“Wait till tomorrow,” Kratz said. “I expect more than 200 kayakers to show up between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. People have to get out here and really enjoy the river.”

Norm Gavlick, Pennsylvania Fish Commissioner for the Northeast Region, said the north branch of the Susquehanna has the best fishing on the entire river.

Gavlick said people should not be afraid to eat fish caught in the Susquehanna.

“There should be no fear whatsoever to eat fish caught in this river,” he said. “I’d compare the quality of the fish in the river to those in Harveys Lake or Lake Wallenpaupack.”

Attending the festivities was Charlie Urban, founding member of the Susquehanna River Watch – a group that has lobbied for making the river a recreational outlet for many years. Urban said he attended a press conference near the site of Millennium Circle back in 1984.

“Back then we were about cleaning up the river,” Urban said. “I just turned 78, and this is a dream come true for me. We live in a beautiful valley and the river is our centerpiece. I think it’s great to see all these people here enjoying the river and this park.”

Dave Wilcox was riding his bike through the crowd and he stopped to listen to the speeches. Wilcox has been a biking enthusiast for 45 years.

“This is excellent,” he said. “I’ll be here every day.”

Kristin Emanuelson, a graduate student at King’s College, was walking her friend’s dog, Maddy – a lab and cocker spaniel mix. Emanuelson is from Clarks Summit and she said the River Common project is a definite improvement to the city and the downtown area.

“You could see it really coming to completion the last two weeks,” she said. “We’re going to attend the Riverfest events and we will be walking the dog here a lot.”

Dr. Jerry Reisinger was with representatives of the Seneca Nation Delegation – Michael Williams, Sidney Horton and Carson Waterman. Waterman said Chief Paul Waterman was instrumental in gaining American Heritage River designation for the Susquehanna in 1996. He said that helped secure millions of dollars in funding for projects along the Susquehanna.

“This is a home run,” Reisinger said. “Where there is investment in the riverfront, communities blossom. There’s no pork barrel here. The River Common project will significantly help the region’s economy.”

Cathy Genetti, daughter of Gus Genetti, lives in Chicago now, but she came back to see the new park and came away impressed. She brought her son, Nico, 7, and daughter Julia, 8 months, to experience the park.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said. “It’s great to see we have finally made peace with the river.”

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