SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Strolling through the colorful leaves, the community came together for Friends of Nay Aug Park’s very first fall celebration, ‘Step Up for Nay Aug Park.’
The event invited the community to enjoy a walk through the park at the height of fall, while also featuring pumpkin painting, live music, food, and more.
In support of the Friends of Nay Aug Park, the nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the park’s beauty and history.
The group’s treasurer, Mary Jo Preno, shared their plans for upcoming improvements.
“Today’s event is our first fundraising event, and we are raising funds to make improvements at Nay Aug Park. For example, we’re going to do improvements to existing structures. We’re going to work on the entrance on Olive Street. And also, we are lighting the memorial area at the Davis Trail,” said Mary Jo Preno.
The nonprofit’s vice president, Sam Kuchwara, emphasized how vital community support and local vendors are in helping the organization reach its goals.
“For our first one, we’ve done very well, with the support from the people that showed up, and we’re getting the word out there to restore this park, and that’s what our mission is. To restore this park where it used to be,” said Kuchwara.
Many say Nay Aug Park is more than a place to visit. Russell Preno said he and others want to keep the community tradition alive for generations to come.
“It’s for generations. So, you take Sam, who grew up in the park in the 60s, maybe even the 50s. I don’t know, he says, the 60s. I grew up in the park in the 80s and 90s, and then these guys are grown up in the park now, and it’s for everybody to enjoy, people of all ages and future generations. Everybody has memories up here right now. We all do. We want to keep them going,” said Russell Preno.
All proceeds from today go towards the Friends of Nay Aug Park.