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SWOYERSVILLE — Samantha Wender grew up on Noyes Street and “lived” at the playground across the street from her family home every summer.
But once she moved to New York, her trips back home left her with a question.
“Where are the children,” she would wonder when she looked at the playground, overgrown and in need of some work.
On Friday at the borough’s first community cookout, she was again given opportunity to enjoy the recently spruced-up playground complete with not only jungle gyms, open areas and careful landscaping, but also hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad and cupcakes.
Her 6-month-old son, Braiden, settled in her arms as children filled the play area shooting hoops, racing each other excitedly and not hesitating to make a lot of noise.
The event was the brainchild of Mayor Chris Concert, who not only took his turn behind the grill, but also was quick to grab some sidewalk chalk and sit down with young attendees to play tic-tac-toe.
“I only won one game,” Concert said, laughing. “And I played a lot.”
Concert recently spearheaded an effort to brighten the borough and bring its residents together for food, fellowship and family.
Resident Mary Jane Cwalina said she thoroughly enjoyed coming out on a balmy night to spend time with her family.
Cwalina, whose husband Pete Cwalina is a council member, said she thought that the gathering was a wonderful idea and hoped it would become an annual tradition.
Giovanni Genaro, a resident of Noyes Street, said she recently moved to the borough from Florida and is impressed by the spirit of community reflected in family events.
Genaro, a single mother of seven, said she was very excited for a chance to bring her children, one of who is autistic, out for some fresh air and exercise as summer approached.
Young attendees also had the opportunity to request balloon creations in a variety of shapes.
Lorraine Bartolai, a resident of what Concert called the “Noyes Street group,” said everyone on the street contributed their particular talents to the event.
“I love to cook,” she said. “I’m always available to prepare food or cook.”
Bakers Maryann Gritzen and Jean Kozokas were up late Thursday night preparing chocolate cookies and cupcakes.
Concert said he is already planning other ideas geared to the young and the young at heart.
He’s considering trading in his sneakers for polka shoes for a night of dancing or possibly a “tea and crumpet” event.
Wender, surrounded by her children, nieces and nephews, said the night was a chance to, “pass the park experience on to the next generation.”
