Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens |
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| Location | S 11th St., Pottsville, PA 17901 |
| Nearest city | Pottsville, Pennsylvania |
| Area | 1.34 acres |
| Created | September 10, 2005 |
| Operated by | City of Pottsville |
| Status | Currently active |
The Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens (pronounced YING-ling) is a lovely city park in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, United States. It first opened a long time ago in the late 1800s. After some changes, it opened again in 2005 as a beautiful green space for everyone to enjoy.
Park History
The Yuengling brewing company started in Pottsville in 1829. It was founded by David Yuengling, who came from Germany.
The company first got its water from a spring on a hillside. This spring was a few blocks west of the brewery. In the late 1800s, the land around this spring became a park.
However, by the 1960s, the company needed more water than the spring could provide. So, they started using city water instead. This led to the park and springhouse being closed down.
Bringing the Park Back to Life
In 2002, Richard "Dick" Yuengling Jr. gave the land and spring to the city of Pottsville. The park had become unused and overgrown. The city then decided to fix it up.
Mr. Yuengling Jr. was asked by a group called the Lasting Legacy for Pottsville Foundation to donate the land. He thought it was a good idea for the city to have it. He said it was fitting because it was the source of Pottsville's first water supply. He also believed it would make life better for people living nearby.
Park Features and Wildlife
The park was completely redone by the spring of 2004. It now has nice footpaths for walking and wooden bridges. You can also find pretty gazebos, small waterfalls, and lovely gardens.
This park was the first new urban green space created in Pottsville in a long time. Making the park cost about $350,000. A local company, Prodesign Plus, helped with the design and building. All the money for the park's upgrade came from private donations.
Work on the park officially began on June 10, 2004. The park then had a special opening ceremony on September 10, 2005.
In 2012, the Lasting Legacy group spent about $20,000 to add a bathroom to the park. Deborah "Debbie" Yuengling Ferhat, who is Richard L. Yuengling Jr.'s daughter, is on the board of Lasting Legacy.
Even today, you can still see wild animals in the park, including rabbits.
