Downtown York Magazine | Spring 2022

Downtown Dish

Serving Soul Food at Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro

SPRING 2022 Contents

Welcome to Downtown York

05 I A Message from Jonathan Desmarais

06 I Downtown Map, Getting Here and Parking

Where to go and where to park

Historically Edgy

08 I Exploring York City Parks

The City of York is home to 25 park and recreation facilities, each boasting a unique experience for residents and visitors.

12 I Downtown Walking Tour

Experience Downtown York’s architecture, art, and history on foot.

16 I Family-Friendly Things to Do Downtown

Your list for places to play, dine, create, and shop-for all ages!

18 I Historic York

The Garden Club of York: Beautifying Downtown York for 100 years!

Living Downtown

20 I Downtown Dweller

A Place of Belonging

Playing Downtown

25 I York County Trail Towns

Small Business Spotlight: Pippi’s Pen Shoppe

27 I Events

What’s happening around Downtown

Casey Nixon

cnixon@yceapa.org

A Message from Jonathan Desmarais

In 2019, to learn more about the community, I took it upon myself to walk every street and alleyway in the City of York, all 171 miles, in the course of one month. This deliberate and experiential approach, opened my eyes to all that our community has to offer. Whether it be its historical significance, thriving business community, flourishing arts community, or its many natural resources, our community possesses so many valuable assets. But if my traverse of the city at 3mph taught me anything, it’s that its greatest asset is its people.

Downtown Inc Team

JONATHAN DESMARAIS

Director of Downtown Inc

HANNAH BEARD

Community Engagement Manager

KATIE MAHONEY

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

MATTHEW SECHRIST Project Manager

BRITNEY BROOKS Director of Community Engagement

Whether it’s celebrating a newly opened business at a ribbon cutting, cheering on the York Revolution at PeoplesBank Park, enjoying dinner at one of our many award-winning restaurants, shopping at Central Market, checking out the work of an up-and-coming artist in the galleries of the Royal Square District, watching a world-renowned performer at the Appell Center, sipping beer at one of our five craft breweries, or simply strolling the Rail Trail, I hope to see you around the community that I love, Historically Edgy Downtown York!

JONATHAN DESMARAIS Director of Downtown Inc

Board Of Directors

Chair: JULIAN TOLBERT

Community Investor

Vice Chair: KATE HYNES

Stock & Leader

Secretary: JOANNE WILMORE

Grace Manor B&B

Treasurer: ANEURY PEREZ

Fulton Bank

LAUREN DAYS

Sara Ellen Event Venue

CARLOS DÍAZ

Pineapple Home Gallery

JOHN KLINEDINST

C.S. Davidson, Inc

ERIC MENZER

The York Revolution

DELIA PABON

Parliament Arts Organization

CINDY STEELE Central Market House

ALLISON WITHEROW

O.N.E. Hospitality Group

“THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP.” LAO TZU

Downtown Map

With its imaginative arts community, stunning architecture and restaurants that push the limits of flavor, DOWNTOWN YORK is the creative core of York County. It’s where the word revolutionary isn’t just a nod to the city’s past, but an indicator of its future. We invite you to visit today and soak in rich history, charming boutiques and a growing craft beer scene. You’ll find that Downtown York is HISTORICALLY EDGY, inside and out. This map will get you started!

CODORUSCREEK

Getting Here

DOWNTOWN YORK is easily accessible from all points north, south, east and west. Main arteries you want to look for? George Street and Queen Street from the north and south; Market Street and Philadelphia Street from the east and west.

FROM LANCASTER:

• Take Route 30 West to North George Street

• Turn left onto North George Street

• Follow straight

FROM HARRISBURG AND ALL POINTS NORTH:

• Take I-83 South to Route 30 West, Exit 22 (North George Street)

• Stay in the middle lane and turn right at the light onto North George Street

• Follow straight

Parking is plentiful in York City, with 350 on-street meters and 1,260 garage spaces in three garages conveniently located within walking distance to downtown attractions.

GARAGE LOCATIONS

• Market Street Garage (41 E. Market St.)

• Philadelphia Street Garage (25 W. Philadelphia St.)

• King Street Garage (15 W. King St.)

FROM GETTYSBURG:

• Take Route 30 East to North George Street

• Turn right onto North George Street

• Follow straight

FROM SOUTH/BALTIMORE:

• Take I-83 North to South George Street Exit

• Follow Business I-83/South George Street

Parking just got a whole lot easier with the ParkMobile App!

No more scrambling to find loose change, returning to your car to feed the meter, or difficulty finding a spot. Download it to your mobile device before your next trip to Downtown York for an easy, contactless payment option.

• Central Market Parking Deck (W. Philadelphia & N. Beaver St.)

PARKING METERS

Metered, on-street parking is available. Enforcement hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm (Free on Sundays and holidays observed by the City of York), and Saturday from 9am - 3pm for parking meters located in the "Retail Zone." Meters are marked with the hours of operation and enforcement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please direct all parking questions, concerns and comments to:

YORK CITY PARKING BUREAU: 717.815.0517 @DowntownYorkPa

EXPLORING YORK CITY PARKS

BY KATIE MAHONEY | Vice President, Marketing & Communications

The City of York is home to 25 park and recreation facilities, each boasting a unique experience for residents and visitors. Whether your interest is history, bird watching, fitness or relaxation, or you are planning a family trip to Downtown York, there is an ideal park for your visit.

HOFFMAN SOFTBALL COMPLEX AND MEMORIAL PARK together is a 72-acre municipal park that includes eight softball fields, four sand volleyball courts, a skate park, batting cages, concessions in the warmer months, picnic areas and pavilions, and ample spectator seating and parking.

500 Rockdale Ave, York PA 17403

Nestled in The Avenues neighborhood, FARQUHAR PARK boasts tennis courts, a paved exercise trail, playgrounds, a band stand, and is across the street from another park, KIWANIS LAKE. Great for all seasons, the large hills make it a popular sledding spot. Kiwanis Lake is home to a heron rookery, a unique feature in an urban environment. In addition to spotting herons and egrets, the water attracts Canadian geese, mallards and domestic duck hybrids. The park is home to the annual William Shaffer Trout Fishing Derby, as well as music festivals and community events throughout the year.

370 N Newberry St, York PA 17404

PENN PARK is home to many community events including What the Food Trucks festival, Trey & Boo Basketball Classic, and 10,000 Acts of Kindness event. The 200-year-old park is a large green space in the City of York, and popular in the summer months for it’s cooling splashpad water feature.

100 W College Ave, York PA 17401

For those intrigued by history, ARIES PARK is tucked in a commercial and residential neighborhood, and was named after York’s sister city in France as part of a Cold War exchange program. Led by the York Twinning Association, this initiative was to foster a better understanding between nations. The playground includes a unique zip line, as well as benches, tables and pavilions.

E King St & Pattison St, York, PA 17403

ADDITIONAL PARKS TO EXPLORE:

ALBEMARLE PARK

ALLEN PARK

ALLEN FIELDS

CHERRY LANE PARK

BANTZ PARK

CAMPUS PARK

FOUNDRY PLAZA

GIRARD PARK

HERITAGE RAIL TRAIL

WILLIAMS PARK

HUDSON PARK

JAMES E. (JIM) GROSS PARK

LITTLE JIMMY’S PARK

MLK PARK

NOONAN FIELD

ODEON FIELDS

THACKSTON PARK

YORKTOWN PARK

WESTMINSTER PARK

BRING ON PLAY (BOP) is a volunteer committee that supports York City's Recreation and Park department. For 14 years, this group has renovated existing parks with new play equipment that is modern, safe and engaging.

“Even though we do a fraction of what we used to do, we never could have completed what we did without the help of many wonderful volunteers and the generous York community over these many years,” shares Joe Stein, with BOP. The group is in the early stages of planning for their 2022 project, Bantz Park on the City's West end.

The City of York provides photos, directions, and a full list of park amenities online: www.yorkcity.org/visitor/ recreation-parks-overview/

GET INVOLVED! @Bringonplay

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR

Discovering

historically edgy architecture and art by foot!

York’s historically edgy architecture and art by foot!

BY JJ SHEFFER | Director, Community Programs

BY JJ SHEFFER | Director, Community Programs

MAP OF DOWNTOWN’S NOTABLE ART & ARCHITECTURE

There is perhaps no better way to experience Downtown York’s historically edgy personality than on foot. York’s architecture, art, and history are inextricably linked, and there is much to discover and explore from the sidewalk. There are many physical cues to help you explore and learn, including state historical markers and privately-placed bronze plaques. There are also murals depicting York’s rich history in manufacturing, notable residents, and cultural traditions.

Every period of history is represented in the architecture of Downtown York’s fascinating streetscape. You can stand on any corner of Continental Square and without moving your feet, see at least nine different styles of architecture. While there are plenty of interesting buildings to catch your eye, there are also plenty of smaller details – such as arches, doorways, and architectural signature markers – hiding in plain view throughout Downtown York, as well.

COLUMNS & FLORENTINE DOMES OF THE OLD COURTHOUSE

York County’s third courthouse, which now serves as the York County Administrative Center, has several distinct architectural features. The granite Ionic columns were original to the second courthouse, their bases at ground level. After that building caught on fire, the columns were saved, restored, and reused, and raised to the top of the granite steps that lead to the building as we now know it. The domes were the vision of J.A. Dempwolf, a prominent architect in the late 1800s who designed many of York’s most iconic buildings and spent time in Italy studying Florentine domes.

In 2019, lighting was installed to illuminate the domes at night, as part of the celebration of the County of York’s 250th anniversary. Downtown Inc, the York County Economic Alliance and the County of York collaborated on the lighting project. Financial supporters included the Warehime Foundation, the Powder Mill Foundation, the York County Bar Foundation, the George and Josephine Schmidt Memorial Fund of the York County Community Foundation and the York County Community Foundation.

SPOTLIGHT

YORK WATER COMPANY

One of our favorite examples of how York’s rich architecture, art, and history collide is the York Water Company building at 130 East Market Street. The nation’s oldest publicly-traded utility has been headquartered in this building, with its Corinthian columns and Palladian windows, since 1929, and is perhaps the only utility you can still pay in person if you wish. Architect William B. Billmeyer incorporated the theme of water into the design, and artist Gustav Ketterer was commissioned to paint water-themed frescoes. Step through the front doors during business hours to view the breathtaking ceiling, uncovered and restored to its original splendor during a renovation in the 1980s.

A fountain that features the head of a lion can be found at street level in front of the York County Administrative Center. When people from rural York County came to town in the late 1800s, they could exchange a coin for a shower in the subterranean comfort stations on the square, or freshen up by washing their face and hands and getting a cool drink from the lion fountain before going inside the courthouse for whatever business they had there. Though no longer an active water fountain, it remains as an interesting feature for the sharp-eyed passerby. The lion became architect J.A. Dempwolf’s signature stamp, and something of an “Easter egg” that can be found on other buildings he designed.

Other hidden-in-plain-sight Dempwolf flourishes include his architectural signature marker at the entrance to Cherry Lane Court and the gargoyle atop the downspout at the residence of prominent York businessman William Goodridge. Goodridge, who was born enslaved and became one of the wealthiest African Americans in Pennsylvania in the 1800s, was a Station Master on the Underground Railroad. The residence is now open to the public as The William C. Goodridge Freedom Center and Underground Railroad Museum.

VERIZON/GTE BUILDING

The York Telephone and Telegraph building was designed by Frederick Dempwolf and built in 1929. The art deco building remains in intriguing presence on South Beaver Street, most notably for its bronze gates that feature terra cotta-colored relief tiles of a switchboard operator and utility worker as their focal point. This is the work of artist Paul Manship, most famous for the gilded, cast bronze Prometheus sculpture at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

DEMPWOLF ARCHITECTURAL MARKER EASTER EGGS

art

Downtown York boasts a wealth of public art, from the functional art on North Beaver Street created from remnants of York County factories to the vibrant murals throughout the Royal Square district. Our downtown Parks are home to installations by local artists, including sculptures by Lorann Jacobs and Gale Jamieson in Cherry Lane Court and the Gear Garden that marks the entrance to Foundry Park on the Codorus, featuring large flower sculptures by Robert Machovec, crafted by repurposing gears from Pfaltzgraff pottery drying ovens.

ROYAL SQUARE MURALS

The Parliament Arts Organization partnered with Sprocket Mural Works and area artists to adorn the sides of buildings throughout the Royal Square District – the neighborhood so named for the streets that delineate its borders: King, Duke, Queen, and Princess Streets. This beautification and placemaking initiative has made Royal Square a go-to spot for product photo shoots, music video backdrops, wedding, family, and senior portraits, and innumerable selfies.

Visit royalsquaredistrict.com/murals for a map and directions to take a self-guided walking tour of the murals and to learn about the individual murals and artists.

DIENTES DE LEON SCULPTURE

Dientes de Leon, a stainless-steel sculpture featuring a light-catching laminated dichroic glass orb, was created by York artist Gale Jamieson. The tall sculpture was fabricated with a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of York County Community Foundation and installed in Cherry Lane Court in 2015. The pocket park is also home to a bronze sculpture by Lorann Jacobs, as well as mural-sized reproductions of works by PA Dutch artist Lewis Miller, who was born and raised in York and chronicled everyday life through watercolor paintings throughout the 19th century.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

to do

From babies to big kids, Downtown York has become an eclectic destination for families to play, dine, create, and shop. W ith each family-friendly location offering its own parking lot or a scenic walkable route from one of three nearby parking garages, Downtown York is ready for the arrival of your young ones.

So, pack up the stroller, treat the kids to an after-school ice cream, or spend a Saturday exploring all the kid-friendly spots in the city

The Curious Little Playhouse is a children’s handson play space and toy store that offers private sessions, birthday parties, and character playdates!

Keystone Kidspace provides kids and teens with 13,000 square feet of space for lear ning, playing with purpose, and creating.

by choosing your

W ith over 260+ games and counting, Timeline Arcade is the largest retro arcade in South Central Pennsylvania and beyond. Here, there is something for everyone!

food shopping

THE SWEETEST THING CANDY & GIFTS Penn Market, 380 W Market St • pennmarket.com

Perfect for grandparents, kids, and everyone in betweenThe Sweetest Thing has an assortment of nostalgic sweets, gummies, penny candy, and sugary snacks.

this is just a sample. many more Downtown York businesses offer family-friendly activities, shopping and dining. Visit & explore!

CENTRAL FAMILY RESTAURANT 400 N George St • eatatcentral.com

Everything you love about a diner with historic charm, Central Family Restaurant offers homemade soup, desserts, spectacular sandwiches and entrées regularly updated - there’s a vast menu for the whole family.

HOUSE OF YORK 44 W. Philadelphia St • shophouseofyork.com/collections/baby

The latest addition to House of York is an upstairs room dedicated to all things nursery and baby, such as whimsical mobiles, dining sets, adorable apparel, and décor.

1 ST CAPITAL KIDZ CLOTHING AND MORE 52 W. Philadelphia St • 1stcapitalkidzclothing.com

1st Capital Kidz Clothing and More is a one-stop shop for your children’s dress needs. Shop for footwear, accessories, toys, and a full line of school uniforms.

THE GARDEN CLUB OF YORK

Beautifying Downtown Y k f 100 years!

BY MATTHEW SECHRIST | Project Manager, Downtown Inc

The Garden Club of York was organized in 1922 and federated in 1930, and work together to beautify the city through members passionate about conservation, education, beautification, horticulture, and floral design. Among their many projects is the placement of over 200 hanging baskets in Downtown York, as well as working with Downtown Inc to fill the City’s planters. They also have two Plant It Pink Gardens, and will commemorate their 100-year anniversary with a gala in September.

The majority of their work is in Downtown York. “We want to bring nature to the city and keep things beautified,” shared Kim Keese of The Garden Club. “We want to be part of our community, we have a passion for it, we took ownership and embraced what was needed.”

Linda Hanson, a Garden Club member of 24 years and counting, sees The Garden Club as a group that can do good for their community and have fun doing it. For Linda and many members, The Garden Club allows them to enjoy something that their grandparents taught them growing up, and who themselves were members. For others, it allows them to continue to pursue their love of gardening even if they no longer have a garden of their own. “York has so many awesome little places that are unique to the area,” added Kim. “We are like the flower arrangement on the dining room table. You walk in and see it and you want to be part of the beauty.”

This ever-growing club is open to anyone and everyone with any level of gardening knowledge, as long as you’re okay with getting your hands dirty every once and a while.

Photo Credit: Randy Flaum

“York has so many awesome little places that are unique to the area. We are like the flower arrangement on the dining room table. You walk in and see it and you want to be part of the beauty.”

https://gardenclubofyork.com/ @GardenClubofYork

~ KIM KEESE, THE GARDEN CLUB OF YORK

a

Place of Belonging

BY JONATHAN DESMARAIS Director of Downtown Inc

The sense of belonging that Kimmie Lay and Roth J. Preap feel as downtown dwellers has been a part of their lives since their earliest years. Growing up in York City in the early 90s, their parents, who emigrated from Cambodia, cultivated “a simple lifestyle in the city,” where they “learned to live with what they had.” Now, as young professionals, Kimmie and Roth have fully embraced this family value, as they cherish the many assets of their community, Downtown York.

Sharing their historic three-story row-home in the heart of the WeCo District as cousins and friends, Kimmie and Roth are only footsteps away from all of their favorite places. Whether it’s kicking their day off with coffee at I-ron-ic or Prince Street Café, enjoying live music with York Symphony Orchestra at the Appell Center or KableHouse Presents at Central Market, grabbing drinks with friends at 1st Capital Dispensing Company, shopping for Cambodian cooking essentials at Fu Chao, the Asian Market at Penn Market, or playing the retro arcade games at Timeline Arcade, it’s all just a few blocks away

Not only can you find Kimmie and Roth frequenting the many great restaurants, shops, and event venues of Downtown York, but they love to plug in to the community that they love. As Kimmie explains, “Downtown York is the perfect conduit for networking.”

By day, Kimmie serves as a Branch Manager with PNC Bank, and by night, she teaches yoga at House of Yoga, and serves as the Marketing Chair for York Young Professionals. As the York County Community Foundation’s Grants Program Officer, Roth also supports the York Youth Symphony Orchestra as their Operations & Program Manager.

And if that’s not enough to demonstrate their love of Downtown York, in support of local artists at the height of COVID, Kimmie and Roth had their front windows painted in festive scenes by Annelise Vuono and commissioned a portrait that hangs proudly in their living room.

With a smile on his face, Roth explains the love of their community that he and his cousin, Kimmie share, saying, “Here in Downtown York, it’s easy to feel comfortable with a true sense of belonging.”

“Here in Downtown York, it’s easy to feel comfortable with a true sense of belonging.”

~ R O TH J . PREA P

Serving Soul Food at Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro

BY HANNAH BEARD Marketing & Merchant Engagement Manager

In 2013, Lauren and Terrance Days moved from Philadelphia to York City, and have found Downtown York to feel like home rather quickly. “We really enjoy the community,” says Lauren, co-owner of Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro. “York differs from other cities because of the community. Everyone knows everyone. In York, everyone speaks regardless of their backgrounds. Everyone has the same respect for each other as a fellow human.”

Now located in the WeCo District, Skillet2Plate serves lunch and dinner, and is equipped with outdoor patio seating. When you walk into Skillet2Plate you’ll be greeted by a Days family member or close family friend, which is an important element in their business model. Follow Skillet2Plate on social media and check their website for hours and the full menu, and stop by for warm hospitality and exceptional southern style soul food.

DISHES TO TRY

BRISKET SOUL BOWL: House smoked Brisket on top of Wild or White Rice, topped with green and red peppers, onions, and served with two sides.

BBQ BRISKET BURGER: House smoked Brisket topped with Mesquite BBQ Sauce and on a Brioche Bun, served with hand-cut fries.

S2P PEACH TEA: Homebrewed southern style peach sweet tea

CHICKEN AND WAFFLES: Six wing dings seasoned and fried to a golden crisp on top of two buttermilk waffles.

SKILLET2PLATE SOUL BISTRO

221 W Philadelphia St, Suite 11, York, PA 17401

717.893.2111

skillet2platesoulbistro.com

@Skillet2Plate Soul Bistro

Small Business Spotlight: PIPPI’S PEN SHOPPE & AIRBNB

BY MARLENA SCHUGT | BLOOM PROGRAM MANAGER

Pippi’s Pen Shoppe is located just off the Heritage Rail Tail in the Market District of Downtown York and hosts an ink-credible selection of unique pens, mechanical pencils, notebooks, paper, supplies for wax seal stamps, and much more. Between her close vicinity to the trail and the upstairs “Pen House Suite” Airbnb she hosts, owner Joan Snyder is always welcoming guests to her store. She has dubbed her shop the “passion pit” because of it being an authentic representation of herself and her love of history, vintage advertising, graphic design, pens, and thrifting.

Joan welcomes guests from all over the world to the Airbnb, which was owned in the 1800s by farmer James McDowell. “Many people stay here solely because there is a rail trail,” noted Joan. “Bicyclists from Baltimore ride all day and come in here since it’s so close to the trail.”

To make her shop and Airbnb more accessible to York City residents and trail users who venture Downtown, the York County Trail Towns program worked with Joan to help secure funding to renovate the sidewalk leading up her shop. A fruitless pear tree along West Philadelphia Street makes for a remarkable view of the Market District but the tree’s roots had warped and cracked the sidewalk. The completed renovation made the concrete level and even allowed for the pear tree to remain standing.

In these ways and more, Pippi’s Pen Shoppe enhances our Downtown’s beauty and entices visitors to come ‘write’ in!

To learn more or to make plans to explore a Trail Town, visit  YorkCountyTrailTowns.com

Events

DowntownYorkPA.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

BLOOM Business Series Workshop

presented by PNC, 8:30-9:30am

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

First Friday

presented by WellSpan Health Downtown York, 5-9pm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15

BLOOM Business Series Workshop

presented by PNC, 8:30-9:30am

FRIDAY, JULY 1

First Friday

presented by WellSpan Health Downtown York, 5-9pm

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

BLOOM Business Series Workshop

presented by PNC,8:30-9:30am

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

First Friday

presented by WellSpan Health

Downtown York, 5-9pm

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

Downtown First Awards

PeoplesBank Park, 6-8pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17

BLOOM Business Series Workshop

presented by PNC, 8:30-9:30am

SPRING 2022

5.06

Give Local York & First Friday

presented by WellSpan Health Downtown York, 5-9pm

Join in celebrating York County’s biggest day of giving with fun and activities for all! Learn more at givelocalyork.org

enrootyork.org

York Story Slam: Every Third Tuesday

Archetype Pizza 33 W. Market St., York

MAY 17 – Chaos

JUNE 21 – Father Knows Best

JULY 19 – Start Your Engines

144 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 100 York, PA 17401