Our proposal:
FREEDOM GREEN
New Freedom Town Center Park
The Freedom Green, currently owned by Mr. Mann of Lauer Mann
Insurance is a 1/2 acre piece of property in the center of New Freedoms
Historical Downtown. The property
is an established location for community events:
Current Uses
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: The Freedom Green is the location of
the town Christmas tree. The
Christmas tree was planted by Crescent Industries – years ago and for the
past – years, the New Freedom Lions Club has sponsored a Christmas tree
lighting the weekend after Thanksgiving at which Santa Claus visits the towns
children. Canned food donations
are made to the local food bank.
Outdoor Movies: Over the past few years, New Freedom
Heritage has conducted free outdoor movies for our local residents. The movies have been well supported by
community with sponsorships by local businessÕs, involvement by local
organizations such as the Lioness and Boy Scouts, and attendance ranging from 100 up to 500 people at each
movie.
New Freedom Festival: The hub of the festival is at
the Freedom Green property. For
the past two years NFH has produced a large community festival including music,
games, art, sport showcase, non-profit fundraising etc. The entire community
participated in the festivals to make it a hugely successful event.
Town Mural:
Adjacent to the Freedom Green is MarlinÕs Auto Center on the wall of
which there is a mural. The
original mural of a bear riding a car was painted in – and in 2005, a new
mural was painted depicting a historical train with the backdrop of New Freedom
historical architecture.
Possible Uses
Handicap Accessible Park: This Park could be used by
people of all age groups and abilities by enhancing the quality and variety of
passive recreation opportunities such as walking, picnicking, Frisbee and
community gathering. The green could
include parking spaces for easy access by seniors or the handicapped as well
bike racks to be used for rail/trail users. Park features could include walking paths, picnic tables,
game tables, trees, gardens, fountains, sculpture, pavilion etc. The central location of the park would
serve as a convenient destination for town walkers.
Community events: The Park could be used for numerous
events such as concerts and art exhibits, childrenÕs games, holiday
celebrations, community theatre/dance, judge's stand and gathering area for
town parades etc.
Business/non-profit/local government opportunities: This
Park would strengthen and enhance the downtown business district by creating
and marketing a positive image for New Freedom as well as offering
opportunities for farmer's markets, bake-sales, book sales, sport sign-ups etc.,
Borough events etc.
Education-Stream education area, garden/flower
demonstrations etc.
Town Historical Landmark: This Park would preserve
the town mural and Christmas tree as well as our small town image. The features of the park would
compliment the historical aspects of our town and become a focal point of our
downtown.
Site Features
Physically the property has many advantages:
- Centrally
located in New Freedom's historic downtown
- Adjacent to Main Street and the Rail/
Trail, high visibility,
- Matures trees
- Easy access
- Open, flat, dry lot.
Recent Improvements
By Crescent Industries and New Freedom Heritage
Demolition:
- Removal of guard rail on edge of property
- Removal
of concrete base
- Site
clean up
- Cutting
weeds/eradicate poison ivy
Site Improvements:
- Painting
of outdoor Mural
- Planting
of flowers and trees
- Pruning
trees
- Erected
movie canvass for outdoor movie
- Erection
of sign board (Eagle Scout Project)
Future Improvements- This property requires minimal improvements
to be useable as a town park.
Immediate Improvements Necessary Would Include:
- Grading to smooth out hump and fill in holes.
- Rebuilding of wall along Main Street
Long Term Improvements Options:
- Construction
of parking spaces
- Construction of hardscape features such as walkways,
fountain, benches, pavilion etc.
- Planting of trees, shrubs etc.
