Coronet Park’s opening
Downtown Harrisburg’s Coronet Park opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday after being revitalized from a deteriorating parcel to a fresh events space.
Located just south of Market Square, the new 3,300-square-foot “pocket park” tucks between the Menaker apartment building and the Crowne Plaza.
It is named for the former Coronet restaurant that caught fire in 1994, which once stood where the park was built. Harristown CEO Brad Jones said the property had been “basically abandoned” for about 15 years when Harristown bought the building in 2017 hoping to redevelop the space.
“Our appraiser—when he went through the building—he fell through the floor,” Jones said. “And that was when we knew that we might not be able to save the building.”
He said it is the only building that Harristown has torn down in his 25 years at the nonprofit. But the community park that stands in the Coronet building’s place now bears its name.
“We want to honor the history,” said Jones.
The project cost $1.3 million, Jones said, with about $500,000 of it coming from a Capital Budget Grant from former Gov. Tom Wolf in 2018. It is intended to be a gathering space for the Harrisburg community and boasts a slew of 2,000-pound Pennsylvania bluestone blocks for seating, alongside a stage.
The park’s first event will take place tonight and programming will continue at the space throughout the summer and fall.
Coronet Park
From 5 to 7 p.m., Sara Bozich is hosting an Earth Day plant swap at the space where plant lovers can trade pots and propagations.
“You can buy a plant, pick up a plant, enjoy food and drink and even listen to some live music,” Bozich said.
Pop-up plant vendor Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouse will be in attendance as well as food and drink vendors, Traveling J’s, Zeroday Brewing, and Agape Elixir Bar.
Bozich’s other events, scheduled May through September, include the following:
- May 2: Books & Brews with bestselling author Jo Piazza
- May 8: Tiny Park Concert (DeRose & The Dreadnoughts)
- June 4: Dog-friendly Yappy Hour
- June 12: Tiny Park Concert (Meaghan Farrell)
- July 1: Ice Cream Social
- July 10: Tiny Park Concert (Sons of Pitches)
- August 7: Silent Disco (with FunkBot Presents)
- August 14: Tiny Park Concert (Le Ghast)
- September 3: Cigar Night (with Lounge 611)
- September 11: Tiny Park Concert (RalphReal & The Family Jam)
- October 17: Pop-Up Biergarten and PSU watch party
- November 4: Game Night in the Park
Coronet Park ribbon cutting
