River Common Under New Management

The Riverfront Parks Committee and the RiverCommon.org Board recently agreed to merge to create greater synergy in events and activities along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre.   “We found our missions to be similar, our efforts being duplicated and our sponsors confused.  This was a logical next step for both of the organizations and we’re glad to add the supporters and volunteers of the RiverCommon.org in our fold” noted Vincent Cotrone, Chairman of the Riverfront Parks Board of Directors.   The Riverfront Parks Committee has announced a preliminary 2012 schedule of events which includes:

• The Wyoming Valley RiverFest Celebration – June 22-24^th
• HydroMania – July 21^st
• Big Boy Toys – August 25^th
• Dragon Boat Racing Festival – September 8^th & 9^th
• Chalkfest – October 6^th
• Wyoming Seminary Performing Arts Institute (PAI) Concerts on the Commons (dates to be determined)
• Yoga on the River Common – Every other Saturday at 10 am (starting June 2^nd )
• Fishing Tournament – September (date to be determined)

Twenty Years and Counting

The Riverfront Parks Committee was formed in 1991 with a focus of working on the rehabilitation of the parks on the west side of the Susquehanna River – Nesbitt Park and the Kirby Park Natural Area – and providing educational opportunities for thousands of students to learn about their local watershed and environment.   Taking this initiative to a larger audience, RiverFest was created in 1999 and has grown substantially each year to include art and crafts, nature hikes in the riparian forest, lectures, entertainment, boating and many other activities over a three day period.  Meanwhile, on the other side of the river, the River Common project was taking shape and RiverCommon.org was created to program and manage activities at the outdoor amphitheater, river landing, and green spaces.  Both organizations are part of the rebirth of river usage.  Both provide activities and events for the public and both raise funds to meet their missions.  It is a natural progression for the two organizations to merge to take advantage of the inherent synergies.

Innovative and Exciting Programs

The Riverfront Parks Committee recently updated (with the assistance of Wilkes University) a Riparian Trail Guide for the Kirby Park Natural Area.  In addition to a printed brochure, podcasts were created that can be downloaded to iPods/iPhone and used while hiking the trail.  Those podcasts can be found at http://itunes.wilkes.edu
Dragon Boat Races are the newest activity on the Susquehanna.  It was premiered during the 2011 RiverFest celebration in June and will be returning to the 2012 RiverFest (June 23-24) in preparation for a large Dragon Boat Racing Festival that will be held in September.  Organizations or companies interested in forming a team and racing a dragon boat should contact the Riverfront Parks Committee for an application.

Events such as RiverFest, ChalkFest and HydroMania are large scale family events that will draw thousands to the riverfront parks in Wilkes-Barre.

“We are grateful to our sponsors and the hundreds of volunteers,” commented Cotrone.   “Without them, none of this happens.  We are an all-volunteer group, so if anyone would like to get involved please contact us.”

For more information please  email rivercommon@gmail.com .  The Riverfront Parks Committee mission is to improve the quality of life in the region thought the rehabilitation, enhancement, and preservation of three historic and natural parklands along the Susquehanna River; Kirby Park Natural Area, Nesbitt Park and the River Common.  We encourage environmental awareness and stewardship through environmental education programs designed for the local citizenry.  We offer the region a safe, clean, unique natural setting for year-round recreational opportunities.

Free Riverfront Yoga

Join Jennifer Ciarimboli Yoga and studio host Nearme Yoga for our eighth year of free community yoga down by the river! We’ll be on the River Common every Saturday from...

River Common Under New Management

The Riverfront Parks Committee and the RiverCommon.org Board recently agreed to merge to create greater synergy in events and activities along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre.   “We found...