Paving Bricks for Sale to Help Mark Park's Anniversary

To most Hellertown residents, it probably seems as if has always been here. In actual fact, the 18.5-acre borough park is just about 75 years old.

Conceived by (and later renamed for) Hellertown Burgess* Morris Dimmick, the park-pool complex was built at the tail end of the Great Depression with funding from the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA).

However, like all gems, this landmark is one that needs attention from time to time.

In 2012, to celebrate the recreation area's important civic status after three quarters of a century, a volunteer organization is working to fulfill what was once a forgotten component of the original park plan--a concert stage that was to be located where a bomb shelter now stands.

The nonprofit Hellertown Enhancement Project--which --has been fundraising to help pay for the covered stage's construction, with hopes to bring the project to fruition in conjunction with the park's anniversary celebration.

And it now appears that Phase One of the stage project will be underway later this year or early in 2013, as a result of a June 18 decision by Hellertown Borough Council to commit $170,000 to the project as part of a seven-year capital projects plan.

However, HEP will continue to fundraise for Phase Two of the project with the sale of commemorative paving bricks that are currently available for purchase.

In a brochure about the paving brick campaign, HEP explains that 'we have to raise a lot of money, so the project has two phases: Building, then Beautification."

"Buy a brick now so that we can Build--you'll see the brick during Beautification," the brochure explains.

Engraved bricks are available in several sizes, and can be purchased to memorialize a family member, to express support for arts in the park, or simply to "express...support of (HEP's) vision to build a more sophisticated stage at Dimmick Park." 

The following brick sizes are available for purchase:

4" x 8" Brick(s) @ $99 each (3 lines of 21 characters)

8" x 8" Brick(s) @ $249 each (6 lines of 21 characters)

12" x 12" Tile(s) @ $499 each (10 lines of 25 characters)

To request an order form, or for more information, contact the Dimmick Park Stage Committee at 484-857-2759.

Completed order forms and payment should be mailed to Hellertown Enhancement Project, c/o , 415 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055.

Checks should be made payable to the Hellertown Enhancement Project.

*A Burgess was an earlier equivalent of the modern-day Mayor.