Williamsport’s East and West ends continue to grow

By SETH NOLAN Sun-Gazette Correspondent

Community leaders have worked hard the last few years to invest in the city’s East and West ends as more than just residential and commercial areas, but as extensions of a dynamic city with much to offer.

“We’re working so hard to build on all of the parks in this city,” council Vice President Bonnie Katz said. “Parks are one of the most important aspects of any city to promote businesses, a healthy lifestyle, and community life and we have to continue to invest in them.”

The East and West ends of the city boast a healthy commercial footprint, with businesses like New Trail Brewing expanding far from Lycoming County. The industrial section of Reach Road has always been a big employer busy part of the West End.

These sections of the city often get overlooked, but they’ve been successful historic neighborhoods. Many of the parks are in these neighborhoods, Katz said.

“We’ve been passionately working on these parks this year,” she said.

This year, they’ve put in more courts for various sports, a splash pad in Shaw Park, and have the pool in Memorial park ready for this summer.

“I’ve been a big proponent of the splash pads since the beginning,” Katz said.

“They’re fun for the kids, they’re relatively easy to maintain, they’re handicap accessible, and we were able to get community development funds for them.”

The city has a new recreation director, Shaun Walker. Council is excited to sit down with him and discuss the future.

“We haven’t met him yet, but I am sure he’s got some great ideas,” Katz said. “One thing I would like to see is bringing back things like the UPMC Heart Walk and other events that get people out and seeing our beautiful city.”

As far as businesses, Katz said there hasn’t been much change besides the tried and true shops that have made their mark on those regions of the city already.

“Toast’d Bagels moved from downtown to the East End,” Katz said. “While we miss them in that spot, they help fill a gap in the East End. We’re always looking for new things to promote.”