Plans for downtown Johnstown’s Central Park shared with public at informational session

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – After reviewing improvement designs for downtown Johnstown’s Central Park, Jonathan Silwones can envision what its future will look like.

“My wife and I are relatively new to the area and we love the history of the park, but we were a little surprised at the shape it’s in,” the Johnstown resident said. “We always thought it would be wonderful to spend more time down here because there’s so much potential, so I wanted to see what the plans look like and give my support for them.”

On Saturday, Johnstown City Councilman Taylor Clark held an informational session in Central Park for the public to see the designs and ask questions.

“I wanted to come to the park and just talk to people and show them the designs,” Clark said. “I don’t agree with everything, but there has been a lot of compromise, so I wanted to bring these final designs down to people so they could see what’s going to be happening here.”

The plans for the park were approved by city council in a 6-1 vote that was held at the end of May.

Funding for the project is coming from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Some of that funding needs to be used by the end of 2026.

“We can’t reallocate this money anywhere else,” Clark said. “It’s going toward the park whether we like it or not.”

Silwones said anything Johnstown can do to improve the park is a step in the right direction.

“We travel a lot and the first thing we do is head to downtown to see what the central core of the city looks like because that’s where you find the interesting shops and people,” Silwones said. “It’s lacking that here. You have a great park location, so anchor that in and make it a feature for people to come to.”

Krysta Riley, of Johnstown, said change is good and is looking forward to something new downtown.

“I think it’ll be a good thing, but there also should be respect paid to its legacy,” Riley said.

Riley said she’s an avid bicyclist and her group meets in downtown weekly and it’s great to see activity in the park.

“Making it a more beautiful space is needed,” Riley said. “With this update, it’s giving kids things to do in downtown because that’s a major lack in the area. I’m excited for the water feature and to have something that interactive.”

Richland Township resident Carol Keppel said as a member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Joseph Schantz chapter, she was glad to have reassurance that the statue honoring Johnstown’s founder will be staying in the park.

“It honors town people who cared,” Keppel said. “I take great pride that people reflect their history here. The gazebo is a reflection of that and built by volunteers and iconic to the area, so I really hope they will rework their design and find a place for something that is that important.”

Keppel said she hopes the redesigned park will have the same ambiance and character.

“I hope it isn’t altered to the point where people don’t find it a magnet anymore,” Keppel said.

Clark said the goal of the session is to give people clarity.

“There’s so much nonsense out there and I want to give people the truth of what’s really going to happen,” Clark said. “There will be a new event space, a new pavilion and a new Walk of Honor, and all of that is going to modernize Central Park. The park is beautiful, but it’s dated, so let’s do it the right way.”

The project is set to begin after Labor Day and projected to be completed in September 2026, Clark said.