Mayor's Newsletter - June 2024

National Children's Awareness Month

June is designated as National Children's Awareness Month, a time to focus on the development of social, emotional, and physical health in children. The newsletter highlights The Wright Place for Kids, a facility located on 11th Street operated by the Nehemiah Project. Key features of this facility include:

• Elite Per4mance: A 10,700-square-foot baseball and softball training facility.
• Mountain Lion Backpack Program: Provides food for elementary school children facing weekend food insecurity.
• Reny’s Room: A sensory space designed for children with autism, featuring swings, a jungle gym, and zipline.
• Community Events: The facility hosts movies, game nights, cookouts, and holiday events.
• Contact: 814-201-2096 or visit tnnpa. org.

Garden Heights Park Opening

On May 22nd, the City of Altoona celebrated the ribbon-cutting and opening of Garden Heights Park. This project was a collaborative effort involving the City, Booker T. Washington Revitalization Corporation, Leadership Blair County Class of 2023, Operation Our Town, and the Central PA Community Foundation.

• Features: It is an all-abilities park featuring slides, swings, climbing equipment, and interactive sensory stations with light, sound, and touch.
• Construction: The park was built by the City of Altoona Engineering staff using state-of-the-art equipment.

Altoona Block Parties

The Booker T. Washington Revitalization Corporation is hosting free block parties throughout the summer from 5 PM to 7 PM. Pets are not permitted (except service animals). The schedule is as follows:

• June 5th: Jefferson Park, 118 4th Avenue
• June 20th: Grove Memorial Park, 2300 6th Avenue
• June 27th: Garden Heights Park, 205 Lowell Avenue
• July 15th: Iuzzolino Park, 2516 Maple Avenue
• August 8th: Prospect Park, 112 S. 15th Street
• August 20th: Booker T. Washington Park, 1304 19th Street
• More Info: www. altoonablockparties. com

National Flag Week & Gospel Hill Celebration

National Flag Week runs from June 9th to June 14th. The City of Altoona and the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation (CPCF) are hosting the Annual Gospel Hill Flag Day Celebration on June 14th at 12 noon in Heritage Plaza.

• Activities: The event will feature a proclamation by Mayor Matt Pacifico, music by the Altoona Community Band, and a hot dog lunch.
• CPCF Role: The foundation administers the Gospel Hill Flag Fund, which pays for flag repairs and replacements carried out by the Altoona Fire Department.
• Donations: Visit www. centralpagives. org to learn more or donate.

Sister City Partnership: St. Pölten, Austria

The newsletter highlights the ongoing partnership with Altoona’s Sister City, St. Pölten, Austria. Legislative Aide Bonnie DeLozier recently visited the city along with delegations from other sister cities (France, Germany, Czech Republic).

• Visits: The group visited the Benedictine Abbey, a local vineyard, Old Town St. Pölten, and Altoona Square.
• Altoona Square: An education and art center for children is currently being built on this site, which also features a replica of the Altoona Mountain Lion.
• Milestone: The partnership celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Penn State Altoona Heritage Project

The Penn State Altoona Heritage Project is spearheaded by professors, administrators, and volunteers to catalogue and document campus history. The project seeks to collect vintage items for a climate-controlled environment and community display.

• Items Sought: Program booklets, jerseys/hats/pins, trophies/medals, hard copy photos/art, old classroom slides/books, and yearbooks.
• Contact: Residents with relics from the days of the Altoona Undergraduate Center are encouraged to contact Jared Frederick (Class of 2010) at 814-949-5531 or jtf5039@psu. edu.