Benzinger Park: Nature in a New Subdivision Celebrating over 100 Subscribers.
After World War 2, during the baby boom, families were putting up houses in newly expanded subdivisions. This city park was a part of that expansion.
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I am celebrating reaching my one hundred subscriber by taking you on a tour of my favorite city park in St Marys. I have many mo.re family, local, and sports history posts planned in the future. My Aunt Cathy recently passed away from dementia and that has left me in a state of confusion. She helped me overcome the challenges I faced in junior high. I publish on Substack to save the history for those who have dementia and can’t remember. The other reason I post here is because we all need a firm foundation of our past to build upon. We are in a time of trouble and knowing where we are from, who we came from, and the foundations of where we live will ground us locally. Locally is where we can support each other and survive in tough times.
I took the pictures myself and The Historical Society of St Marys and Benzinger Township provided me with the research. Also, the book, Benzinger Township and Some of Its People, written by Charles Schaut provided me with the information as well.
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There is nothing more beautiful and relaxing than enjoying a walk in a city park. I do live in a rural area and a small city. However, just like the rest of the nation, St Marys grew after World War 2. New subdivisions were created between Vine Road and South MIchael Road and the Sherry Road subdivsions. Just like the Levittown suburbs in the major cities, small family homes were built like army barracks. I used to care for a woman who built a house on the new Queens road with her husband. They built this house by hand and she planted all the trees, bushes, and flowers around it. She passed away awhile ago and the house has been added on and renovated. Incidentally, Queens Road is named for the Queen of the World Catholic Church and School. The first mass was read at the new church site on August 15, 1956.
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In 1962 the Benzinger Township administration new purchased land from Joseph Fleming Estate, basically a small farm, between both South Michael Road and Vine Road. They also purchased additional land as well. This was to be used a park, and it was a wise decision on their part. The area developed pretty quickly and this provided a necessary area for the children to get active outdoors. The project was started in 1969 with the initial cost being 400,000 dollars but soon exceeded 500,000 dollars after they purchased a bond to cover the cost of the whole park. It has proven its worth over the past fifty years or more.
In 1992 the borough of St Marys and Benzinger Township were incorporated into the city of St Marys, second largest city by area but one of the least densely populated cities in the state. Honestly, St Marys feels nothing like a city, but more like a small town. You can find more information on Benzinger Park at the St Marys Parks and Recreation site on Facebook and Instagram.
Why did I choose to write about Benzinger Park? It is honestly the best planned park in the city. Furthermore, I have been walking the trails in the park for a very long time. It is a good place to reflect and imagine this city as it once was when it was first settled. It is the best place to go when you need some time alone.
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There are softball fields, sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, a small stream and walking trails. There are activities for the children and adults in the summer. Investing in the park was wonderful piece of wisdom on the former Benzinger township supervisors. This place provided a bit of nature for the people in the new subdivsions.
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Since we are in the thick of summer, with all the heat, sun and fun, I decided to lighten things up and provide a plethora of pictures of the park. Then you can enjoy the beauty of the place with me. So without further ado, here is a tour of Benzinger Park in pictures.
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