New Allentown-based nonprofit will ‘expand and enhance’ city’s acclaimed parks system

Allentown has a new nonprofit to support the maintenance and upkeep of its 44 parks.

The Allentown Parknership will “encourage investment and involvement in the Allentown parks and recreation programs,” according to a news release. Specifically, it will focus on park enhancements not funded in the city budget, including some capital and restoration projects and environmental learning programs.

“We will listen to voices in the community and have meaningful conversations about the needs of all Allentonians to identify projects and initiatives,” said Jamie Musselman, a Parknership board member.

The city’s 2024 park budget is around $7.3 million. According to the news release, the nonprofit will not reduce the city’s park budget or staff, but will instead “enhance and add” to the city’s existing parks operation.

The new nonprofit has already received $500,000 from the Trexler Trust, named for Allentown industrialist Harry Trexler, and $75,000 from the Rider Pool Foundation to go toward its initial expenses.

The Trexler Trust was founded in 1935 and has contributed more than $172 million to Allentown’s parks over those years.

The organization has already completed its first project, the planting of 22 trees across several Allentown parks including Keck Park, Percy Ruhe Park and the Old Fairgrounds Playground.

The Parknership will recruit a board of directors through fall 2024, and a news release said they are looking for volunteers who “understand the needs of Allentown’s residents and represent a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints.” The board will also hire an executive director to lead the organization.