Hawley bandstand repairs will cost more than double original estimate

Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent
·3 min read
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The much-needed restoration and repair of the historic bandstand in Hawley's Bingham Park will need to go forward this spring with some added financing sources and extra fundraising. It was among the topics at the Hawley Parks and Recreation Commission meeting held March 28.

Also on the borough's mind is the question of repairing the cobblestone entrance pillars in the park, constructed in the 1930s as part of the overall park project soon after the land was donated to the borough in 1929. One of the pillars, badly damaged over a year ago in a motor vehicle crash, was nearly wrecked that very day in a second crash, the stones left in a pile.

Parks and Rec discussed fundraising and/or grants to pay for repairs. Scott Mead, Public Works Director, had an estimate he believed was around $3,000 but had to be verified. Locating a mason to do the work had been a challenge.

One of the two cobblestone pillars erected at the entrance to Bingham Park, Hawley in the 1930's, was badly damaged in 2021 in a motor vehicle crash. It was struck again March 28, 2023, the day of the Hawley Parks & Recreation meeting.
One of the two cobblestone pillars erected at the entrance to Bingham Park, Hawley in the 1930's, was badly damaged in 2021 in a motor vehicle crash. It was struck again March 28, 2023, the day of the Hawley Parks & Recreation meeting.

Councilman Joseph Faubel, who is Parks and Rec's treasurer, concerned with the potential cost, asked if it could be replaced with less money. Herzog noted that the pillars are historically valuable, as they are part of the original park project using cobblestones for the various amenities like the bandstand, erected in 1932 and the two cobblestone, former restrooms. The covered grandstand and one of the two cobblestone light post columns have already been lost.

Borough Council also discussed exploring a Greenway Projects Grant for recreation. Proposed options for the funding include a pathway along the park at Hudson Street, and a small park at Wangum Avenue and River Street, where Maley's swimming hole is located along Middle Creek.

The Public Works Department has been cutting down several trees in Bingham Park that were diseased. These include some cherry, maple and spruce trees. Herzog stated she'd like to have some new trees planted to replace them.

James Shook, representing the Lake Wallenpaupack Community Dock Foundation, presented $5,700 left over from Dog Park funds, to Hawley Parks and Rec.

Shook said the wish is that it be used for maintenance and repairs for the Dog Park. The facility, organized by volunteers and paid for from grants and fundraising, was opened in 2020 at Riverside Park. Kevin Hawk, Parks and Rec chairman, said that the Dog Park is well used.

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Bucks for the bandstand

Deterioration is easily visible on the 1932 Hawley bandstand, which is slated for a complete renovation this spring at a cost of $154,000.
Deterioration is easily visible on the 1932 Hawley bandstand, which is slated for a complete renovation this spring at a cost of $154,000.

The council held a special meeting March 20 to review bids for the bandstand. One bid was received from D&M Construction Unlimited Inc. out of Dalton. The amount of the bid was $154,000. The company was found to be acceptable by Reilly Associates, the borough engineers.

This is well over the $70,000 the borough received from the state, originally earmarked for a baseball field upgrade. The council members that were present agreed unanimously to accept the bid.

The octagonal, 40-foot wide Hawley bandstand was built in 1932, three years after the land was donated to the borough for Bingham Park. The park was designed by architect Christopher G. Ellingsen of Hawley, whose name the borough approved for the bandstand in 2022. The bandstand is enjoyed year-round and is seen as an iconic symbol of Hawley.
The octagonal, 40-foot wide Hawley bandstand was built in 1932, three years after the land was donated to the borough for Bingham Park. The park was designed by architect Christopher G. Ellingsen of Hawley, whose name the borough approved for the bandstand in 2022. The bandstand is enjoyed year-round and is seen as an iconic symbol of Hawley.

Added funding will be used from the federal American Recovery Plan (ARP) borough's allocation of $35,000 and county ARP funds of $15,000 allocated to Hawley; an in-kind contribution valued at $12,000 from the borough; use of $20,000 from the Aqua PA water company that was to be used for paving lower Church Street (which will be funded another way, from state PLIGIT funds), and a Parks & Rec contribution of $2,000 to no more than $5,000.

Fundraising also will be done. Herzog used the slogan "Bucks for the Bandstand."

The $70,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) carries a time limit which has been extended multiple times with DCED's approval. Herzog said that the bandstand work needs to be substantially completed by the end of this June, which is why a special meeting was called.

A separate bandstand project still coming together is a wheelchair lift, being funded by ARC of Wayne County. The hope is to have it installed by late June as well.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Hawley OKs new cost of Bingham Park's historic bandstand repairs