Movie nights, maybe a grandstand, coming to East Deer Memorial Park

If 9-year-old Jaelyn Gordon had her way, East Deer Memorial Park would have a spray park.

The Deer Lakes third grader spends plenty of summer days at the playground and said it can get “burnin’ hot.”

“My favorite thing is the swings, but we need some sprinklers to cool us off,” she said.

It might be the perfect time for Jaelyn and other residents to speak up.

Township commissioners are seeking a $250,000 grant through the state Commonwealth Finance Authority to upgrade the park along Front Street.

Money would come from the Greenway, Trails and Recreation Program. If approved, the township would be responsible for a 15% match, or up to $37,000.

“The money would all be spent on work at the park,” Commissioners President Tony Taliani said.

The space has three baseball fields, a playground and courts for dek hockey, tennis and basketball.

Officials are eyeing a small bandstand as part of the potential work, along with an upgrade of the tennis and basketball courts.

“We want to make the courts multiuse and available for pickleball,” Taliani said.

“That would be the major thing we’re going for.”

Commissioners see the recreation area as a local gem and want to draw more residents to everything the park offers.

A community movie night is on the books for July 19, with Commissioner Jacob Gigler saying he remembers attending similar events as a child.

“I want to help bring those traditions back,” Gigler said. “I’d also like to expand the concession stand and fix up the baseball fields and make them as nice as possible for the Deer Lakes team.”

The township was last awarded money in 2022 for upgrades at the park. It received $50,000 from the state Department of Community and Economic Development that was used to spruce up the playgrounds there.

A few years before, work was done to resurface and paint the courts and upgrade the concession stand.

Jaelyn’s mother, Heidi Hatfield, called the park a great spot for all ages. She said it’s a nice, well-kept space, but is pleased to hear more work is on the way.

“I do think a spray park would be a great addition,” said Hatfield, an eight-year resident of the township.

“It’s really hot in the summer because it’s wide open and the sun bears down on you.”

She likes the idea of a gazebo or grandstand, too, because it would provide a shady space for teens who hang out and walk around at the park, she said.

Taliani said a bandstand would benefit the township’s annual summer festival, this year scheduled for Aug. 17. The well-attended event offers food trucks, games, pony rides, firetrucks and vendors.

On Wednesday, when the temperature creeped toward 90 degrees, Jaelyn and her friend, Mila Mahaffey, were wishing the spray park was already there.

“What would really be great is a pool,” said Mila, 9. “It would be great on Community Day because everyone could get in.”