While Hellertown PROPER seems to be low in entertainment variety, The Rave and Putt U aren't that far away. The old Hoyt/Regal building is going to be turned into a bowling alley/arcade. Plus Dorney Park is just down I-78. So, I'm not sure. I would love to see a roller rink in the area, and if I won the lottery I would rehab and reopen The Movies (changing the name back to The Sauconia, too). Still, the VALLEY itself has plenty of fun things to do.

As for light rail? That would be nice to have. Commuter lines to Philly or New York City. A trolley system throughout the Valley. Unfortunately, I'm not sure there is enough interest in either.

When I was younger, we had the Community Cntr. where we would hangout, shoot pool & play basketball. We were allowed to hang out at the parks until 10:00 & 3rd Ave park even had lights that we were permitted to use. It allowed the teens to have somewhere to go & the Police Dept. knew we usually were not creating any mischief. Now a days the Boro parks are closed at Dusk and anyone is told that they must vacate. I was disappointed last year when I took my youngest son fishing at Griss Mill. We were enjoying ourselves & having some bonding time. It had started to get dark so we lit a Coleman lantern probably around 9:30, when an Officer approached us & told us we had to leave because the parks are closed after dark. I feel the youth of today need places to go & do things besides Organized sports. Someplace where they can congregate, socailize and just be kids. I think this would help keep them out of mischief & allow a place where at least you could keep an eye on them

Completely agree with Hellertownian... As a 20 year old who cannot afford a vehicle, my entertainment options are basically limited to going for walks around town, since the local police will sit, watch, and analyze, if not harass, any young looking person who decides to go to the parks now (at any time of day). And if you dare to be there around dusk you will get questioned and watched until you leave. It is shocking to me how it seems some people here cannot fathom someone not being able to afford a car, and as a result, doing things without one. Specifically, the teenagers and young adults need places to go without being constantly harassed. Hellertown has a nasty tendency to completely ostracize the youth and as such, leave them to their own devices with nowhere to go because they basically get driven out of every place available.

No!!! Absolutely Not! (As far as having enough "fun time" in Hellertown!!!!!!!
I have lived here for 61 years, and when I was younger, there was ALWAYS something to do! (i.e.) every Tuesday or Wednesday night, there was a dance at the
basketball court on Easton Rd. I don't know anyone that didn't show up for it. We ALL had a fabulous time!!! Movies are gone, roller rink gone! How could you possibly ask that question?????? WHAT FUN IS THERE TO BE HAD????????

Thanks for all the thoughtful input, everyone! This is valuable and hopefully our local officials will see it and take notice. I personally agree that there need to be more entertainment options in town--especially for those who are in the 13-21 age range. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that boredom can lead to mischief. And if the youth are the future of the community, then this is an issue that should be of concern to everyone.

Hellertown has NEVER been a place for kids to have fun. I've been her 63 years and can remember this same complaint when i was a kid in the park. Like Patricia, I remember the events they had at third avenue court, along with pool parties and live bands to entertain. We were allowed to be in the park after dark until the massive streaks of vandalism brought a curfew to that. The vandalism started after constant harassment from the police. The park was a nice place to hang out with friends, shoot the breeze, listen to music etc, but that soon came to an end. I'm not blaming the police, sometimes they had a legitimate gripe, but there were no alternatives for us back then and there aren't any now either. It seems to me that the skate park across from the casino is popular. Maybe Hellertown should consider building something like that for the kids. Maybe keeping the park open after dusk and having some free concerts would be good. At least let the guy fish with his lantern after dark. That's when the best fishing occurs. Well, I hope someone comes up with something for them to do. You can only play so many sports.

There is definitely not enough to do in Hellertown, for people of all ages! I can really only think of four things you can do year round in Hellertown. Eat out, go to the library, go for a walk, or go to a park. During the summer the pool is open, obviously. Except for bars there are really no places to hang out after 9 PM. And for someone who doesn't drink, it makes for incredibly boring nights, unless I feel like driving elsewhere.

I remember when I was in high school, my friends and I all hung out at the Cafe on Main. Sadly, the landlord kicked them out to move Rocco's there (if memory serves me correctly). Which, to this day I'm still upset about. The cafe was open super late on the weekends, I believe midnight or 1 am. It was a place where teens could go and hang out late, without being harassed by the police. The shop was inviting and the food was good and the drinks were out of this world. No matter what time I went I always saw a handful of other people my age. It was incredibly laid back, cluttered with neat nicknacks with the most adorable owners that made it so welcoming (unlike other cafes I've been to that feel stuffy and not really teen friendly). This town needs something like that again! Someplace that is everyone friendly (teens and adults alike) and is open late, where you can just hang out for 2 hours if you'd like!

I would like to thank people for helping me realize how creative and imaginative I was as a youth, or that I was just financially not as well off as others. I did not grow up in Hellertown so I cannot join in the reminiscing of the joys of yesteryears. I grew up in Bethlehem and my activities were limited by my imagination and my own ability to get to places. Both my parents had to work and money was always tight. I spent my free time reading, playing tag, horse, tennis, and hand ball. Occasionally, we went to the public pool, movies or the mall. We spent time together at each other's houses playing games or watching old movies. This was a different time, but not that long ago as I am currently 32. I read the complaints about the cops patrolling the parks and question people there towards dusk, and the inability to go fishing after dusk. Times have changed. I see the police blotters reporting about the drinking and drugging going on in our community. I have heard friends reporting they have seen drug paraphernalia in the same parks our children play. Having more things to do for members of the community isn't necessarily the answer. The real question is what activities will the population be willing to participate in and where will the funding come from to supply activities for the different age groups. I encourage all people to become creative, imaginative, and look outside the box for fun things to do. There are things to do, if you use your imagination.