Wilkes‑Barre announces Bog Park ribbon cutting; council highlights inclusive playground, new pickleball courts and on‑site cameras

Mayor George C. Brown announced on Sept. 23 that the city will hold a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Saturday for the renovated Bog Park, a project the mayor described as a “total renovation” that includes an all‑inclusive special‑needs playground, six new pickleball courts, and enhanced parking.

The mayor invited council members and the public to attend and said the park will include additional parking accessible to people with disabilities. “Really a beautiful park,” Brown said at the work session.

Council members also raised park security. A city official credited Donnie Evans for helping install cameras at the park at no cost to the city; councilors said the cameras have been useful in identifying people attempting damage and that officers were able to respond in time to make arrests. “We actually see that…there's a gentleman named Donnie Evans. Most of you know Donnie. He was instrumental in installing the cameras for us at no cost to the city,” a councilor said.

Why it matters: The renovated playground and expanded courts provide increased recreational and inclusive opportunities for residents; councilors emphasized the role of cameras in protecting new facilities and deterring vandalism.

What’s next: The mayor encouraged community attendance at the ribbon cutting. Councilors said park security will remain a priority and highlighted existing camera monitoring tied to staff phones that can trigger timely police responses if incidents occur.