User:Dav48/Sandbox

JAY ALBERTSON PARK
Park information found on the internet homepage of the Pennsylvania (USA) township where it is located (Stroud Township):

Jay Albertson Park, named after retired Township Supervisor Jay Albertson, is the cornerstone of Stroud Township recreation facilities. This park, locally known as "the duck pond" provides a lovely setting for the Stroud Township Municipal Building. Both of these Township public facilities are located at 1211 North Fifth Street. Parking is available in the parking lots, but not on the streets. The park has playground equipment. The property across the street from the pond on Wallace St. is part of the park and has a gazebo for our Concert in the Park series. 

Additional information found on a locale newspaper website (the Pocono Record)

Jay Albertson Park, at 1211 N. Fifth St., features a playground, a gazebo and a duck pond. 

A closer, more personal view of Jay Albertson Park:

Jay Albertson Park is located in Stroud Township, Pennsylvania. The park, with its 2 acre pond, has long been a locale favorite of children, bird-watchers, and ducks. The park is located beneath the migration routes of several American game bird species. In the recent 1980's, ducks that lived there during summer began to stay year-round. The reason seems obvious to anyone who spends a little time at the park. Several of the closest long term residents adopted the flock, and as part of their self-appointed responsibilities began regularly feeding their charges with quality meals. This arrangement is still in force (however, at the same time there is an attempt to exile the birds because of sanitary concerns-see the Stroud Township Home Page sited above- 2)

Unlike many ponds, the park's pond does not sleep in winter. Stroud Township is located in the Pocono Mountains which receives snow from November till April. The pond generally freezes in December. It is not unusual during winter to see the pampered ducks swimming in a corner of the pond (which their constant motion keeps unfrozen). Near the ducks corner, usually slightly on shore, one will see the rythematic arm swing of a locale "keeper-of-the ducks," as she, or less often he, throws duck food to the waiting birds. The other end of the pond leaves the tranquility behind. Here, at the active end, children skate and slide. Perhaps, center-ice will have a few teens playing a pick-up hockey game. Closer to shore is the haven of the youngest, and the inexperianced, skaters.

The spring finds the return of the preschoolers. During the nice days, locale residence once again return to the park, but this time the real fun is seen bouncing, weaving, and swinging, on the parks outdoor recreation equipment.

Summer sees the parents finding shade under the parks trees, and families have early night cookouts in the gazebo.

The pond takes on a blaze of color as it reflects a Pocono autumn. Fall is the transition period for much of the park activity. Still activity goes on. A locale elementary group might be seen testing the park water, or collecting for their leaf albums. On the swings a mother pushes her bundled toddler. On the shore of the pond: the “duck feeder".

Many of the long time residents have a history with this park, including myself. As children we played baseball in the green, basketball under the nets on the parking lot, swam, fished, and skated the pond. We all have our memories.

In 1964 my brother almost drowned after crashing through a thin piece of winter ice on the park pond. In the early 70’s, with my best friend, I had some of my most memorable two on two basketball games.

Only steps away from the basketball court is the Stroud Township Municipal Building. When I was a child I would often walk through the large garage doors to a small office located there amongst the township trucks. I would stroll right in to the office with-out even knocking. This was the office of the Stroud Township Road Supervisor. This man, and latter his son, held this elected position for a combined total of 48 years. The legacy of their love and devotion to the people they served, and their shared commitment to keep the township natured filled, has never been forgotten – the park was named and dedicated to the son: Jay Albertson Jr; however, the locale old-timers see the dedication of the Park as a way to remember the father as well: Jay Albertson Sr. These are the men whose office I would visit at the township building, they are also my grandfather and father.