Wengert Memorial Park dedicated in memory of dairyman, community leader

There was plenty of applause, tears of joy, and an occasional joke during the dedication of the 4-acre John E. Wengert Memorial Park in Lebanon on June 6.

The array of emotions was shared by many of approximately 100 attendees and volunteers, including John B. Wengert, president of Lebanon Valley Rail-to-Trails, who collaborated to get the park constructed.

John B. led the project to build a park between S. 12th and 22nd streets along Chestnut Street, Lebanon, in honor of his father John E. Wengert, who was a dedicated conservationist, community leader, dairyman, and philanthropist during his lifetime. 

“This has been 12 years in the making,” John B. told LebTown prior to the ceremony.

The shared emotions during the ceremony were indicative of a project that came to fruition through the concerted efforts of so many individuals and organizations, according to Abigail Harvey, executive director of The Lebanon Valley Conservancy.

“Standing here today looking at this beautiful space, we’re reminded of the power of community. Places like Wengert Park don’t just happen. It requires dedication and collaboration, and the city of Lebanon has been a part of this celebration at every level for many years,” Harvey said. “I want to begin by thanking each of you, our community partners, local and state representatives and everyone who has helped bring this park to life.”

The many partners included Lebanon Valley Rails-to-Trails, the conservancy, Lebanon city and county governments, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The dedication program also noted “additional sponsorship from WellSpan, Lebanon Rotary, The Hershey Company, and the generosity of Wengert family members.”

Both John B. and Harvey credited architect Kip Kelly, who flew in on a redeye flight from California Thursday evening, with being the impetus behind turning a “wasteland of weeds” into a playground for children of all ages. Kelly and his wife also dedicated a massive steel gear as a piece of artwork that sits just outside the park along the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. 

“This park’s journey began with architect Kip Kelly, an emeritus board member of the Lebanon Valley Conservancy, whose vision inspired what we see here today. He laid the groundwork for a space where people can gather, explore, and connect,” said Harvey. 

Harvey thanked others whose work and vision made the park – which includes a playground and a bicycle traffic garden to teach young cyclists about bike safety – possible.

“Funding from the Tower to Town race made this vision a reality. Additional support from Penn State College of Medicine’s REACH program helped bring the bicycle traffic garden to life. These fundraising results are achieved through the dedication of Laurie Crawford and Nikki Mauer Gray,” said Harvey. “I also want to acknowledge Kara Lubold of the Lebanon County Conservation District, whose work in securing watershed conservation funding allowed for us to enhance the park’s impact on the Quittapahilla watershed through a slope receding project over Phase Two of the park, removing invasive species and adding high quality topsoil.”

Harvey also recognized John E., who was the first board president of the conservancy 25 years ago, during her remarks. 

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“(He) dedicated his life to conservation and community service to organizations like ours, the YMCA, United Way, and the Rotary Club. His legacy is woven into this park and the community here in Lebanon,” added Harvey. 

Located across from the former Lebanon Catholic High School and adjacent to the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, the park has been a hit since it opened earlier this spring.

“It’s been 12 years since my dad passed away,  but I can assure you that he’s very much here today. I can just feel it in spirit,” said John B. “And what a tremendous transformation has occurred here on this site. I don’t know if you remember what this (site) used to look like before … there are some before pictures in the notebook over in the tent. It’s pretty amazing. Went from pretty much a wasteland of weeds to a green, vibrant site bustling with activity. This playground was packed with kids before they even got the caution tape off the equipment. It was really awesome to see.”

John B. noted this was a special celebration because of the park’s proximity to the rail trail, adding that the ribbon-cutting was serving a dual purpose.

“This is a unique ribbon-cutting today because it’s both for the J.E. Park and the most recently completed section of the rail trail, which was extended from Chestnut Street to 22nd Street last year,” John B. said. “So now we have this wonderful dairy-themed pocket park surrounding what will become the midpoint of a 30-mile premier rail trail stretching from Lancaster County all the way to Swatara State Park.”

Read More: Lebanon Valley Rail Trail set for completion in 2027

He noted the significance of a rail trail that travels throughout the county, with the park sitting at the midway point along its predominantly north-south route. 

“So think about that for a second. We’re standing right now at the midpoint of what will be a trail of regional significance in Pennsylvania and we’re walking distance to downtown Lebanon business district,” Wengert said. “They call those trail towns in some other parts of the country and parts of the state. And the recently improved Veterans Memorial Walkway is right here, taking you right into downtown Lebanon.”

City Mayor Sherry Capello said the park and rail trail are assets to the local community. 

“I love being a trail town. And it includes this beautiful playground, fitness stations, pavilion, and the first and only traffic garden, thanks to Laurie Crawford, because I know that when she first said, ‘Oh, this is what we want to do.’ We’re like, ‘Hmm, but look at it.’ And it’s designed to help children to learn bike safety in an urban environment. So how cool is that?” said Capello. “Our connector path with the bike lanes, the arrows, the way-finding signage, and it was designed to connect with, as John indicated, the Veterans Memorial Walkway, which was just refurbished. We’re very proud of that.”

The connector is designed to encourage park visitors and rail-trail users to visit downtown Lebanon.

“It connects us to our urban core, the city’s downtown, our historic district, the farmer’s market, and all of those really awesome things that we would like you to visit. And we’re gonna be working on even revitalizing our downtown core and making that even a better place to go,” said Capello.

John B. said he asked Lebanon County Commissioner Mike Kuhn to speak because of his connection to his father. Kuhn said some of his earliest memories were of John E. delivering milk almost daily to his home because he was one of seven children being reared in their household, adding that the dairyman was like a family member to him.

“For those of you who didn’t get to know John E. Wengert or work with him, I feel sorry for you. I did, and it was an honor and a privilege to work with him. And I’ll never forget the many things that he did to help me and the work he did to positively impact countless lives here in Lebanon County,” Kuhn said.  “When I think about it, there may have been a few Lebanon County leaders that had a greater impact than John Wengert, but I assure you that list is very small. John was a true servant leader. He was committed to his family, his faith, his country, his neighbors, and his community. He literally did it all and did it well.”

Both Capello and Kuhn referenced memories of Wengert’s milk boxes when dairy products were home delivered. Kuhn said he still has one of those boxes and stated he’s “still waiting for that delivery to come in,” which elicited laughter from the audience.  

During his remarks, John B. thanked commonwealth officials for providing the $400,000 used to create the park. He highlighted what he said was a myriad of funding opportunities, adding humorously that myriad was a noun used by authors John Milton and Henry David Thoreau, so he was good in using it too.

He then unrolled a scroll that he said contained the many funding sources available for projects like the rail trail and the park. The scroll ran over the top of the lectern and finished unfurling on the ground below, which made the audience laugh. Turning serious again, John B. thanked PennDOT secretary Larry Shifflet for providing state funding over the years for the rail trail project. 

During her remarks, Lori Keiffer Yeich, recreation and conservation manager with DCNR’s central regional office, cited a City Parks Alliance study for why outdoor public spaces are important to the well-being of community residents.

“They (parks) encourage active lifestyles and reduce health costs. Physical activity can reduce and prevent many physical and mental health problems. Parks also reduce the cost of healthcare. Maintaining a healthy weight saves $1,861 per person in health care costs per year. So everybody, we need to go on this track every day,” said Yeich. “City parks strengthen local economies and create jobs. City parks attract residents, businesses, increase revenue for cities, spur private investment and increase job opportunities.”

Parks also benefit the business community, she added.

“If you are a business, would you like to invest in this park before this park was rehabbed or after? After, right?” Yeich said. “Because when people come to a community, the first and last thing they see are its public places. That’s why investing in public parks is so important. City parks make cities more resilient.”

State Rep. John Schlegel (R-101) presented a citation on behalf of the House of Representatives, adding his grandchildren are able to “smoke him” as they run around the macadam track that also serves as the youth bike safety trail.

“I can’t help but think that (if) this isn’t already a historic gem here in the heart of the 101st District and in Lebanon County, it certainly will be and will be so in a way that far exceeds any of our existence,” said Schlegel.

LebTown asked Marie Wengert for her reaction to the park created in her husband’s memory.

“It means a lot, of course. But he was very active, and he came by it honestly. His father did too,” Marie said. “John would think this (park) is wonderful.”

About 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and immediately afterwards, musical entertainment was provided by The Perseverance Band of Lebanon, which was sponsored by Lebanon County Commissioner Bob Phillips and wife Brenda and F.J. Dixon Foundation.