Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti was joined by Friends of the Poor and the family of late Scranton priest Monsignor Anthony C. Marra on Mon., Nov. 13, 2023, for the dedication of new playground equipment at Novembrino Park, 200 10th Ave., Scranton. Park improvements were funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the generosity of Msgr. Marra’s family through a memorial fund created in his honor.
“Today, through President Biden’s rescue plan and the generosity of Msgr. Marra’s family and Friends of the Poor, we get to celebrate a beautiful new park in West Scranton,” Mayor Cognetti said. “We know that families have enjoyed the splash pad here at Novembrino Park for several years, and we hope that this new playground will welcome families all year long.”
Improvements at Novembrino Park, including a towering new blue and yellow playground structure, swings, climbing features, safe play surfacing, and more, totaled approximately $375,000. Play equipment and poured-in-place rubber surfacing was purchased through Recreation Resource USA of Kennett Square, Pa., following a bidding process. Changes were driven by the 2021 Scranton Recreation Needs Assessment & Master Plan.
The City received a generous donation of $60,000 from the Monsignor Anthony C. Marra Memorial Fund of Friends of the Poor to purchase additional equipment for the playground project. Marra had served northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly 60 years as a Catholic priest. Part of his ministry included service at St. Francis of Assisi, SS. Peter and Paul, and St. Lucy Church, which neighbors Novembrino Park.
The family of Msgr. Marra and directors from Friends of the Poor offered helpful input into the design and selection of park equipment through this true community park project.
Additional park projects driven by the 2021 study and funded by ARPA include the purchase of new equipment and safe surfacing at Connors Park, 500 Orchard Street, and the ongoing transformation of the North Scranton Mini Park, 1800 Wayne Avenue.
Anyone interested in supporting future park projects are invited to give to the new Electric City Fund through the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Donations are accepted online for park improvements and historic preservation projects at www.safdn.org under the “Donate” tab.
Information about Scranton’s ARPA plan is online at scrantonpa.gov/arpa.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021: ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton received $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents. Scranton City Council approved an original ARPA spending plan in May 2022 and a revised plan in October 2023.
Scranton Dedicates New Novembrino Playground | Press Release
Last modified: November 14, 2023
