Harrisburg Police Bureau to host National Night Out, featuring food, fun, community

July 20, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

A past National Night Out event

The Harrisburg Police Bureau will offer residents a night of family fun and a chance to interact with first responders next month during National Night Out.

The event, which will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 2 at Camp Curtin Academy, will feature food, music, entertainment and games from local businesses, churches and other community groups.

“National Night Out celebrates community policing and engagement,” said the bureau’s Director of Community Relations and Engagement Chardan Huston. “The goal is to have the police interact with the community they serve.”

National Night Out is a block party that occurs across the country on the first Tuesday in August to promote “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live,” according to the organization’s website.

This will be the city’s fifth year hosting National Night Out. The bureau plans to offer activities for families to interact with their local first responders. Kids can explore the inside of firetrucks and police cars and dunk police cadets at a dunk tank, among other activities. There will also be a booth set up for voter registration, and handouts about public safety will be distributed.

Attendees can enjoy carnival games, pony rides and food, like Farm Show milkshakes.

Huston said that she wanted to incorporate more art into the event this year. During National Night Out, four local artists will paint on canvases that will eventually become a mural that will be displayed in the Public Safety Building.

The event is free to attend and free for vendors who sign up.

For more information on National Night Out and for the vendor form, go to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police’s website.

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“Hot Spot Saturdays” aims to get Harrisburg community involved in illegal dumping fight

July 19, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

An illegal dumping site in Harrisburg (file photo)

Harrisburg residents often show up at City Council meetings to complain about trash and blight in their neighborhoods.

In response, council member Ralph Rodriguez spurred the creation of “Hot Spot Saturdays,” a summer initiative aimed at involving both residents and the city in cleaning up illegal dumping sites.

“My hope is to empower our residents,” he said. “They need to know they have the power to make the change.”

Throughout July, August and September, the city, volunteers and local nonprofits will spend time removing trash from places that the Public Works Department has identified as hot spots for illegal dumping. The locations will include several neighborhoods, including areas in Uptown, South Harrisburg and Allison Hill.

“Hot Spot Saturdays” will take place on the following days:

July 23
July 30
Aug. 7
Aug. 20
Sept. 9
Sept. 10

All events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locations will be assigned to those who register.

In addition, the city will utilize cameras at hot spots to monitor illegal activity, Rodriguez said.

All volunteers will participate in training sessions before the cleanups. Rodriguez said that he hopes that the educational aspect of the event will encourage people to continue the beautification work even after “Hot Spot Saturdays” is over.

The city will collect trash in its trucks during each cleanup and has partnered with Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) for disposal services.

This may be a summer initiative, but Rodriguez sees this as the start of long-term change. He hopes to make it an annual event.

“I believe we should start making some really great leeway,” he said.

For more information about “Hot Spot Saturdays,” call 717-557-2045 or email [email protected]. To register as a volunteer, click here.

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Local church to host “Faith Into Action” with Harrisburg park cleanups, block parties

July 18, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

File photo of 4th and Dauphin Playground in Harrisburg, a service location for this week’s “Faith Into Action” event.

This week, volunteers will work to beautify Harrisburg’s parks and bring the community together around them.

Students from several local churches will come together for “Faith Into Action,” an annual service project to clean up city parks and host community block parties from July 19 through 23.

“It’s a way for us to give back to the community,” said Missy Cook of Harrisburg First Assembly of God Church, the organizer of the event.

About 40 students will arrive in Harrisburg on Monday and prepare to spend the following days volunteering in the city, Cook explained. This is the 18^th year that the church is hosting the event. The group has partnered with the city for the event.

Each day, the volunteers will work in a different park, conducting a cleanup in the morning and holding family activities for community members in the evening. They plan to set up games and inflatables and incorporate live music and speakers. All activities are free to participate in.

The group will hold clean-ups and block parties at the following locations:

July 19: Cloverly Heights Park, 1801 Pemberton St.

July 20: 4^th and Emerald Playground, 4^th and Emerald streets

July 21: Sunshine Park, 12^th and Herr streets

July 22: Reservoir Park Pavilion, 100 Concert Dr.

July 23: 4^th and Dauphin Playground, 4^th and Dauphin streets

A children’s program will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be inflatables, games and food available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. A pre-show service will begin at 5:30 p.m., with live entertainment starting at 6 p.m.

“Volunteer groups such as ‘Faith Into Action’ are paramount to the city’s mission in keeping our parks beautiful and safe for years to come,” said Parks & Recreation Director Dave Baker. “We truly value the work they’ve done in past years, and hope they, and other community-based groups like it, will continue to share their time in the future to help beautify the city.”

For more information on “Faith Into Action,” visit Harrisburg First Assembly of God’s website.

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Fun Run: Harrisburg Mile to return to the riverfront for 41st year

July 18, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

The 2021 Harrisburg Mile

The annual sprint down Front Street is back.

The Harrisburg Mile will race down Front Street on July 20, giving local runners a chance to show off their speed.

The race course spans one mile down the road, which will be closed to traffic. The race starts at Maclay Street and ends at Boas Street. It benefits the East Shore YMCA, which offers programs like childcare and scholarships to the Harrisburg area community. Since the race was founded 41 years ago, it has raised over $600,000 for the YMCA.

The first heat of the race will begin at 5:15 p.m. and the final heat starts at 7:45 p.m.

The heats are broken down by 10 different groups.

In the “Fun Run” heat, kids can run the race as a Wink 104 DJ plays music at the finish line. The YMCA “Champions Against Cancer” heat will include cancer survivors and their communities running or walking the mile. Other heats include the “Corporate Challenge,” the “Half Pint Half Mile” and the “Elite Mile,” as well as heats divided into age groupings.

Food and beverages will be available at the finish line.

An awards ceremony will conclude the evening, where medals will be presented to the top three men and women with the best race times.

First National Bank is the sponsor for the event.

For more information on the Harrisburg Mile, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

July 15, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and The Bridge CEO Garry Gilliam at the organization’s “bleacher garden”

Celebrate 3rd in the Burg tonight (Friday) with some of TheBurg staff at Sip@SoMa! Before you head out to enjoy a night around the city, catch up on this week’s news from around the Harrisburg area, below.

Bob’s Art Blog highlighted two artists who share a passion for sustainability. In Bob’s July column, read about Phil Wells of Millworks Studio 213 and local jewelry maker Jennifer Hara, here.

The Bridge Ecovillage showed off its “bleacher garden” to state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding during Urban Ag Week, our online story reported. The garden, located behind The Bridge’s building and former Bishop McDevitt High School, provides produce to local residents in need.

Children of Gettysburg 1863 is a new museum that provides hands-on learning opportunities for kids. In our magazine story, read about how the museum teaches history through books, scavenger hunts, puzzles and interactive displays.

Detweiler Park in Middle Paxton Township is on track to receive a multi-million-dollar renovation, our magazine story reported. The project will include constructing event and gathering spaces, bathrooms, additional trails and other amenities.

A Harrisburg basketball league is bringing community and unity to Reservoir Park, our magazine story reported. The organizer, Foundation 717, hopes to make the league a place for positivity in the midst of competition.

Harrisburg’s downtown post office is moving to a new location, our reporting found. Harristown Enterprises announced that the Federal Station Post Office will relocate about one block away, inside of Strawberry Square.

Harrisburg plans to apply for $18 million in state COVID relief funding, our online story reported. The city has proposed using the money for park, pool and Public Safety Building renovations.

Home sales fell this month in the Harrisburg area while prices rose, our reporting found. For the three-county region, a total of 770 houses sold, compared to 826 in June 2021, as the median price rose to $264,050 from $230,000 last year.

The Keystone Inn is Gettysburg’s first Black-owned bed and breakfast, our magazine story reported. The inn’s opening comes at a time when B&B-based travel is surging following the pandemic.

The Maclay Street Bridge is set to be replaced by PennDOT, our reporting found. PennDOT has opened the comment period for the project, which will remain through Aug. 5.

Palmyra resident Richard Powell judges show dogs at the highest level, our magazine story reported. Last month, the 77-year-old was a judge at the 146th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Sara Bozich has lots of live music on the weekend lineup, as Harrisburg University Presents kicks off its summer concert series. Additionally, there are pop-up markets, food truck festivals, art events and something for everyone this weekend.

A Ukraine benefit concert will be held on Aug. 14 at Whitaker Center in Harrisburg, our online story reported. Neighbors Debra Yates and Sheldon Jones organized the concert after deciding they wanted to do something to help the war-torn country.

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Home prices up, sales slip in the Harrisburg area in June

July 15, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Home sales slipped while prices rose in June, according to the latest report on previously owned houses in the Harrisburg area.

For the three-county region, a total of 770 houses sold, compared to 826 in June 2021, as the median price rose to $264,050 from $230,000 last year, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales dipped to 349 homes versus 389 last June, but the median price increased to $230,500 from $209,000, GHAR said.

Similarly, in Cumberland County, sales slipped to 374 houses, compared to 404 in June 2021, as the median price rose to $315,000 versus $256,750 in the year-ago period, according to GHAR.

Perry County had 43 homes sell in June, an increase of 10 houses from a year ago, as the median price rose to $219,950 from $200,000 in June 2021, GHAR said.

Houses also were selling quickly, as “average days on the market” decreased to 13 days versus 16 days the prior June, according to GHAR.

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Harrisburg to apply for millions in state COVID funding to renovate parks, Jackson Lick pool

July 14, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg plans to apply for state COVID relief money to support park renovation projects, including one at 7th and Radnor park in Uptown (pictured).

Harrisburg hopes to receive millions of dollars in state COVID relief funds and is asking for the public’s input on its proposal.

The city plans to apply for around $18 million in funds under the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Community Development Block Grant-COVID (CDBG-CV) program.

It is proposing to use the funding for park, pool and Public Safety Building renovations.

This grant program is separate from the federal American Rescue Plan Act money that the city has received.

In total, Pennsylvania was allocated $71,493,980 from the federal government’s CARES Act program to address COVID. Harrisburg will apply to utilize a portion of that money. Under the state’s guidelines, the city can use the money for public improvements and public facilities, public services, housing rehab and economic development. All projects must help respond to the pandemic.

Harrisburg has applied for COVID relief funding to support the following projects:

Renovate 7^th and Radnor Park: $4 million
Renovate public bathrooms and waiting room in the Public Safety Building: $1.5 million
Renovate Sunshine (Morrison) Park: $3 million
Renovate the Jackson Lick pool by turning it into a spray park: $5 million
Renovate Rumson playground: $2 million
Renovate the court area of Reservoir Park by adding handball courts: $1.1 million
Add a “spray park alley” to Reservoir Park: $1.5 million
Renovate the showers and bedroom areas of Fire Stations 1 and 2: $100,000

According to Dennise Hill, director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development, the proposed park projects address the need for social distancing and outdoor recreation during COVID.

The city must submit its application to DCED by Aug. 1.

Harrisburg previously received CARES Act funds directly from the federal government during the earlier stages of COVID. The money supported small business grant programs and a rent relief initiative. However, this round of funding would come to Harrisburg from the state’s allotment of CARES money.

The community will have the chance to comment on the grant application at two public hearings on July 18 and 19. Both will be held virtually on Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. The public comment period will remain open through July 29.

Any residents with disabilities or limited English proficiency that need special accommodations to access the meetings can contact the city’s Grant Director’s office at least 72 hours in advance at 717-255-3068 or via email at [email protected].

For the Zoom meeting login information for the public meetings, visit the city’s website.

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Change of Address: Harrisburg’s downtown post office plans move into Strawberry Square

July 14, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The U.S. post office in downtown Harrisburg is slated to relocate into this space in Strawberry Square.

By the end of the year, Harrisburg’s downtown post office will have a new address.

On Thursday, Harristown Enterprises announced that the Federal Station Post Office will relocate about one block away, inside of Strawberry Square.

Specifically, the post office will occupy about 2,000 square feet of space on the 300-block of Market Street, in the long-vacant storefront location last occupied by the restaurant, the Gingerbread Man, which closed in 2014, according to Harristown, which owns Strawberry Square.

“We are delighted to announce this news to the public, and we believe Strawberry Square is an excellent location for the new U.S. Post Office,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “We know our customers, tenants, and visitors will be thrilled to have a full service, brand new post office so conveniently available to them for all their postal needs.”

The space will be built out and the move completed by the end of 2022, Jones said.

Earlier this year, the federal government sold the Ronald Reagan Federal Building, located at N. 3^rd and Walnut streets, to Seychelles-based Global Ocean Investments for $10 million. Owner Justin Etzin has said that he plans to redevelop the 56-year-old, 251,000-square-foot building as a 200-unit apartment building with several restaurants and bars.

The building sale was prompted by the construction of a new federal courthouse at N. 6^th and Reily streets in Harrisburg. The $201 million courthouse project, which includes 243,000 square feet of space, is nearing completion, according to the U.S. General Services Administration.

As a result, all offices located in the former federal building must move, including the post office. The building is expected to be vacated entirely by early 2023.

For more information on Strawberry Square, visit their website.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

July 14, 2022 | by Sara Bozich

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! Scroll down or use the menu links to find ideas for your weekend.

What you’ll find:

For your weekend planning
Top Weekend Recs
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Like this content?

For something new: SoMa is the (un)official pre-party headquarters for the HU Presents concerts tonight (Death Cab) and tomorrow (The Roots)! Details here. Friday is 3rd in the Burg (SoMa Harrisburg is TheBurg’s Featured Venue!), plus lots of other great ideas.

Worth noting: BIG changes are coming in this space! Check out my private Facebook community, Cheers Harrisburg to get the first peeks.

Things on my agenda this weekend: See above, including 3rd in the Burg.

Don’t forget to support your local brewery! Click here to find one near you.

For your weekend planning

NEW: Debunking 4 Myths about a Hersheypark Season Pass
Plan a getaway – without the hassle
Start a book club
View my local Restaurant Directory or Local Brewery, Winery, & Cidery Directory
See what else you missed on the blog.

Below are options for your weekend.

Top Weekend Recs

WIN tickets to The MixTape Tour (NKOTB, Salt-N-Pepa, more) at GIANT Center
Enter to WIN tickets to see LANY in Riverfront Park
HU’s Summer Concert Series starts this weekend!
Make travel plans (with a discount + perks)
Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

What are you doing this weekend around Harrisburg? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Like this content?

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“Bleacher Garden” at The Bridge Ecovillage spotlighted during PA Urban Ag Week

July 13, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and The Bridge CEO Garry Gilliam at the “bleacher garden”

Where fans once sat to watch football games at the old Bishop McDevitt School in Harrisburg, a dedicated gardening team now tends to cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes.

On Wednesday, officials from The Bridge Ecovillage showed off their “bleacher garden” to state Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding during an Urban Ag Week celebration.

“These are folks who are making things happen,” Redding said of the state’s urban farmers. “The vibrancy of a community is predicated on being able to feed itself.”

Redding and staff from the Department of Agriculture are visiting urban gardens and farms across Pennsylvania during the week. The Bridge Ecovillage’s garden, located behind the old school building at 2200 Market St., was one of two stops in Harrisburg. In the afternoon, they moved on to tour the Camp Curtin YMCA’s community garden.

The garden is one of the first aspects to take shape of The Bridge’s plan to transform the old Bishop McDevitt school into apartments, event space, classrooms and restaurants, among other things.

“This is our contribution to our community,” said Garry Gilliam, CEO of The Bridge. “We want to play a role in converting Harrisburg from a food desert to a food oasis.”

The bleacher garden began in February and is managed by community organization City F.A.R.M. All of the food that is grown is given to local food banks and families who can receive produce from the garden on harvesting days.

According to Gilliam, they expect the garden to produce anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds of food within two years, enough for over 100 families. The garden grows produce like kale, scallions, tomatoes, turnips and cauliflower, among other items.

Many local groups from schools and organizations have volunteered at the garden, as well. The garden hosts volunteer days each week.

Gilliam added that The Bridge will begin the first phase of its building renovation project by the end of the year, which could take over a year to complete. They plan to begin by creating the “JEDII (Justice, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) Center,” which will serve as an event space. The ecovillage project as a whole is expected to be completed in 2026, Gilliam said.

For more information about The Bridge Ecovillage, visit their website.

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What you’ll find:

For your weekend planning

Top Weekend Recs

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Like this content?

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