Community Members Step Up to Shape Public Spaces Across the Upper Delaware cover art

Community Members Step Up to Shape Public Spaces Across the Upper Delaware

Community Members Step Up to Shape Public Spaces Across the Upper Delaware

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 Across the Upper Delaware region, residents are taking an active role in shaping the public spaces that define their communities — from a long-standing symbol overlooking Milford Borough to a playground in the heart of Honesdale.In Pike County, a grassroots effort is underway to restore the illuminated star on Milford Knob, a display that dates back nearly a century. And in neighboring Wayne County, community members are weighing in on what should replace the former playground in Honesdale’s Central Park.Liam Mayo, news editor for The River Reporter, says while the projects are distinct, they share a common thread: deep community investment.“What strikes me about both of these stories is the care that people are putting into their public spaces, and how that’s paired with the development of civic life,” Mayo said.A Star With a Long HistoryAccording to reporting by The River Reporter, commemorative displays have appeared on Milford Knob since the Civil War. The illuminated star itself dates back to the 1930s and was maintained for decades by the Milford Lions Club.“They lit the star around Christmas, as well as a cross on the same frame around Easter, and it was also lit for certain nationally significant moments,” Mayo said.That changed in 2017, when the National Park Service — which owns the land — told the Lions Club the display could no longer be installed, citing concerns that it could be perceived as endorsing religion.Supporters of the effort to bring the star back argue the symbol is cultural, not religious.“According to some of the people behind this project, they don’t see the star as a religious symbol,” Mayo said. “It represents community and unity.”Among them is Milford Mayor Candace Mahalik, who co-chairs the Restore the Star committee.“She said the star was always there when she was a kid, and coming back to Milford, it symbolized that she had come home,” Mayo said.Another organizer, Fred Weber, moved to Milford after the display was removed.“He’s gotten involved as a member of the community now, wanting to help bring that symbol back,” Mayo said.The Restore the Star committee has begun circulating letters, raising funds through the Greater Pike Community Foundation, and building local business support. The group’s Facebook page has attracted more than 300 followers.Longer-term goals include illuminating the display at additional times of year, such as the Fourth of July or Veterans Day, and potentially powering it with solar energy.“The hope would be to power the lights through solar technology,” Mayo said, “so the power stays at the site instead of running a big cord up the mountain.”A previous attempt to designate the star as a historic site was rejected in 2023 after a three-year review, citing insufficient community support.“The group feels that report undersold the amount of support the star already had,” Mayo said, and they are now working to demonstrate broader backing.Reimagining a Playground in HonesdaleIn Honesdale, a different kind of community-led effort began after playground equipment in Central Park was removed. A report found that tire mulch used as ground cover could be harming nearby trees, and the equipment came out with little public notice.“In the aftermath, a bunch of community members stepped up and said, ‘Since it’s gone, let’s rally the community,’” Mayo said.That led to the formation of the People’s Playground Project, which has conducted surveys and pop-up workshops to gather ideas before narrowing down what’s feasible.So far, more than 200 survey responses have been collected.“One standout has been swings,” Mayo said. “There were no swings at the former playground, and that’s the top request.”Other priorities include bathrooms, safety fencing, and accessibility features. Respondents were also asked about themes.“Top options included local nature, the Stourbridge Lion, and woodlands,” Mayo said. “There were also write-ins like ‘flowery summer wonderland,’ ‘dragons,’ and ‘bugs.’”Some survey responses raised concerns about safety and vandalism, particularly involving teens. But organizers emphasized inclusion over exclusion.“The hope is that if you actively involve teens in designing the playground and create spaces for them, they’ll see it as their own and protect it,” Mayo said.Both projects, he added, reflect a broader trend.“It’s easy to take public spaces for granted,” Mayo said. “But someone has to design them. Someone has to put up that star. There’s a revitalized spirit of people stepping up and saying, ‘Why shouldn’t that person be me?’”More information about the efforts can be found at restorethestar.org and peoplesplaygroundproject.com. Coverage of both stories is available at riverreporter.com.
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