Green Playces
This summer, GTECH Strategies partnered with the YouthCAST Leadership
Network and Trinity Church of God in Christ to create a unique play space that
combines art, innovation and environmental awareness.
Green Playces is located at the corner of Jenny Lind and Butler streets in
McKeesport Seventh Ward. With tunnels, logs and a changeable flag maze
built into the lawn, this play area challenges the children who play there as
much as those who constructed it.
Project manager Ian Brown said Green Playces was a fulfilling endeavor that
allowed McKeesport children and teens to express their creativity while giving
back to the community.
“From dreaming up ideas to participating in the design charrettes, youth
were a critical component in designing and building this space,” Brown said.
“We have incorporated elements of recycled and repurposed objects into the site to help students learn about thoughtful reuse
of materials. The Green Playces: McKeesport site serves as a critical community space in the core of the 7th Ward of McKeesport,
providing a space for environmental education, including topics such as eco-literacy, sustainability, and pollinators.”
Aaron Johnson of YouthCAST said it’s amazing to see McKeesport’s youth engage in a project like Green Playces: “They want
to be involved. They want to be leaders, and they want to be productive citizens.”
Art Expression allowed YouthCAST participants and
neighborhood children to further beautify the area by helping
them paint a mural on a retaining wall at the parklet.
“We’re so grateful to GTECH for inviting us to contribute to Green
Playces: McKeesport,” said Angela Lowden, executive director of Art
Expression. “This is a great community full of amazing people, and
it’s an honor to have even a small role in beautifying one corner of
it. The kids are full of ideas and are so enthusiastic about the mural.
It’s inspiring to work with them.”
McKeesport Area | Winter 2016 | icmags.com 27
C it y of McKe e sp ort N e ws
The NAACP McKeesport Unit hosted its annual Human Rights/
Freedom Fund Dinner at the Westwood Golf Club -- recognizing
members of the community for their work as silent heroes
and outstanding citizens.
The unit honored the Rev. Earlene Coleman of
Bethlehem Baptist Church; author and pastor, the Rev.
Carolyn Perrin; Auberle CEO John Lydon; and outgoing
NAACP president Ocie Paige. Scholarships were awarded
to Nayelle Williams and Keshon Ball.
In addition to his award from the unit, Paige received
proclamations from Pennsylvania Senator James R.
Brewster and McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko.
McKeespor t
NAACP McKeesport