Construction at Johnstown’s Central Park is moving ahead of schedule, and city officials say the park should reopen to the public in the next couple months, though it will not be finished by the end of the month as officials had hoped.
Much of the park area is still filled with dirt and rock, but the outline of the redesigned space is beginning to take shape as work continues.
City Manager Art Martynuska said weather delays pushed back the timeline.
“We had hoped to see an earlier completion date, but we had some delays because of weather. Initially we thought we could get in by the end of June, but it’s going to be a little bit later than that as it’s starting to pan out. The latest date is going to be August 31st but I don’t see us going to August 31st,”
An exact completion date for this summer has not been set, but Martynuska said visible progress is being made across the park.
“You can see the landscaping, the lights, the sidewalks are going in, the foundation for the fountain is in, monuments have been moved, they’re not quite done yet, a lot of trees have been planted already, so things are progressing. It’s starting to shape up the way we expect it to,”
Mayor Sylvia King said there have been talks about holding an event in the park when it reopens and described her vision for the project.
“The park is creating a gathering place for families, children, seniors, and visitors, a place where community can flourish. Central Park will become a destination that reflects the pride and potential of Johnstown,”
“This is a quality of life project. Johnstown is moving forward. We are creating spaces that improve neighborhoods, support families, and demonstrate confidence in our future,”
Martynuska said he is pleased with how the project is coming together.
“I’m just happy with the work, glad to see it’s coming together and moving along as we like it to,”
City officials said they want to celebrate with a community event when Central Park reopens, but no specific reopening date has been announced.