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Local students and residents press council to add youth recreation, free Wi‑Fi and pop‑up shops; rec board and staff say ideas under review
Summary
A Crafton high‑school student urged investments in arts, culture, recreation and free public Wi‑Fi to give teens safe alternatives; the rec board and borough staff said they are considering park Wi‑Fi, pop‑up swap meets and a pre‑holiday flea market and invited the speaker to the July 1 rec board meeting.
A Crafton resident and high‑school student urged borough leaders on Thursday to expand arts, recreation and free internet access so teenagers have safe places and constructive activities, and borough staff and the recreation board reported several related pilot ideas are under consideration.
“I'm urging our leaders and neighbors to take immediate action. Our kids and teenagers deserve better, and it is starting with investing in arts, culture, and recreation accessibility,” Faith Murphy said during the public‑comment portion of the June 12 Crafton Borough Council meeting. Murphy, who said she attends Carrick (the transcript references a local school), described a recent violent incident among minors that she connected to lack of safe alternatives and recommended free Wi‑Fi in public spaces, pop‑up shops, clothing swaps and more youth programming.
Borough staff and recreation board members responded that some ideas are already being explored. Director Tedesco told council that the park’s current Wi‑Fi serves the pool house and staff during operations and would need an upgraded, public configuration to support many users; he said staff will cost out the change during the budget process for next year. A rec board member said the board is planning a pre‑holiday flea market/swap meet later in the season that would be free to participants and could be a vehicle for free‑store ideas and pop‑up community shops.
Library staff and volunteers also offered immediate alternatives: at the meeting staff noted the library already provides free Wi‑Fi during library hours and schedules monthly events such as community coffee, book club and programs that could help bridge intergenerational connections.
Why it matters: local youth programming and access to low‑cost public internet were presented as ways to reduce risky behavior, increase civic engagement and support young entrepreneurs who lack start‑up capital.
Council response and next steps: council invited Murphy to the Recreation Board meeting scheduled for July 1 and encouraged volunteers and community members to work with the rec board and community‑and‑economic‑development staff to design pilot events. Staff said they will include park Wi‑Fi upgrades in budget discussions and follow up on potential pop‑up and flea‑market logistics.
Sources and provenance: public comment recorded June 12 by Faith Murphy; staff responses and rec‑board comments were made during the same agenda item.
