Allentown's newly renovated Valania Park is officially open

The City of Allentown celebrated the official ribbon cutting yesterday of Valania Park after breaking ground on the $1.8 million improvement project last June.

Governor Josh Shapiro joined Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Parks & Recreation

Director Mandy Tolino for the ceremony. A community celebration followed the event.

The Valania Park Improvement Project included rehabilitation and renovation of a

basketball court; construction of a restroom building, pedestrian walkways, and spray pad; installation of utilities; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and related site improvements.

The renovations were done by Flyway Excavating Inc. The design consultants were BL Companies and SALT Design Studio.

The project received financial support from City of Allentown general funds, the Harry C.Trexler Trust and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in addition to two grants awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for $250,000 and the National Recreation and Park Association supported by the Niagara Per Your Park Project, an expansion of Niagara Cares work for $130,000 to complete the $1.8 million construction project.

John A. Valania Park was built and dedicated in 1976 using Allentown Redevelopment

Authority funds. A contest was held, and it was decided to name the park after former Allentown School District principal John Valania, who died at the age of 43.

Valania Park is located at S. 6th Street & Union Street in Allentown, PA.