Lasting Legacy | Our History
Lasting Legacy for Pottsville was founded in 2006, born out of the energy and enthusiasm surrounding the city’s Bicentennial celebration. That year, Pottsville came together to commemorate 200 years of rich history with a series of monumental events. The Bicentennial featured the largest parade in Pottsville’s history, as well as efforts to restore the stolen World Championship of the Pottsville Maroons football team. In addition, there were concerts, historical tributes, and celebrations that united the community in pride and reflection.
However, the Bicentennial celebrations sparked a deeper desire within the community—one that went beyond a year of festivities. The residents and leaders of Pottsville recognized the need for an enduring organization that could carry the spirit of those celebrations into the future. This led to the creation of Lasting Legacy for Pottsville, a bipartisan, community-based nonprofit with a mission to enhance the quality of life for Pottsville and its surrounding areas.
The goal was clear: to create a sustainable framework for funding, maintaining, and expanding city parks and public spaces. Lasting Legacy for Pottsville was established with a focus on preserving and improving Pottsville’s parks, ensuring that the green spaces where residents gather could be enjoyed for generations to come. Through this initiative, we aim to complete and maintain projects that foster community pride, well-being, and a lasting connection to the city’s history and future.
The First Project: Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens
When Lasting Legacy for Pottsville was established in 2006, it needed a signature project to demonstrate its mission and vision for the community. Several committee members, inspired by the spirit of the Bicentennial, approached Richard Yuengling with a bold idea: to donate a vacant city block on the 900 block of Mahantongo Street to the City of Pottsville. Richard Yuengling’s generous donation, combined with the vision of local resident Steve Cotler, turned this idea into a transformative reality.
What was once an overgrown, neglected city block, surrounded by chain-link fences and barbed wire, was transformed into the lush, welcoming oasis now known as Yuengling Bicentennial Park and Gardens. The park boasts restored historic spring house and pump house buildings, a charming gazebo, a pergola, walking paths, relaxing spaces, and a waterfall created from excess water from the natural spring that once supplied water to early Pottsville residents and the historic Yuengling Brewery. The park’s revitalization is a testament to the power of community collaboration, vision, and dedication.
This first major project not only revitalized a key part of Pottsville’s history but also became a cherished community space. Since its completion in 2006, Yuengling Park has hosted numerous weddings, concerts, plays, and informal community gatherings. The picturesque setting has also made it a favorite spot for prom, graduation, and wedding photos, demonstrating its widespread appeal and impact on the community.
The park's success is evident in its high level of use, but it also earned significant recognition. In 2007, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society awarded Yuengling Park the Community Greening Award, recognizing its thoughtful design, landscaping, and the positive impact it had on the surrounding community.
Yuengling Park stands as a powerful symbol of what can be accomplished when a community comes together to restore the past and create a lasting legacy for future
Why We Invest in Parks Projects
Pottsville is a community of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique history and character. At Lasting Legacy for Pottsville, we believe that parks are more than just green spaces—they are vital to bringing our community together. Parks serve as common ground, where people from all walks of life and economic backgrounds can connect, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. They provide a place for recreation, cultural expression, and community-building, allowing residents to experience art, music, and nature in a shared environment.
Many families in Pottsville have limited or no access to green space, making our parks even more essential. By investing in the restoration and creation of public spaces, we provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their living situation. Our parks offer more than just beauty; they provide a safe, welcoming place for individuals and families to spend time together, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in the community.
Moreover, parks are an essential tool for community engagement and development. They offer a playbook for how neighborhoods can come together to create lasting change. By investing in parks, Lasting Legacy not only improves the quality of life for residents but also sparks a cycle of growth and revitalization. Parks act as catalysts for development, drawing visitors, supporting local businesses, and encouraging future investments in the city.
Through our commitment to expanding and maintaining Pottsville’s parks, we are working to build a stronger, more connected community where everyone can thrive.
How We Fund Projects
At Lasting Legacy for Pottsville, we serve as a catalyst for collaboration, bringing together private donors, the City Redevelopment Authority, and other nonprofit organizations to make impactful projects a reality. By acting as a bridge between these groups, we create the partnerships and connections that turn ideas into tangible, lasting changes for the community.
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lasting Legacy can accept a wide range of donations to support our initiatives. These donations, whether from individuals, families, or corporations, are carefully managed and reinvested into the community to fund and maintain parks and other projects that enhance the quality of life for Pottsville residents. We work with our donors to ensure that every contribution is put to its best use, whether for immediate improvements or long-term sustainability.
Donations to Lasting Legacy can come in many forms, including traditional monetary gifts, living trusts, and in-kind contributions of goods or services. We understand that every donor has different preferences, which is why we offer flexibility and creativity in how donations can be made. Additionally, we can match donors with specific projects or initiatives that align with their interests, ensuring that their support directly benefits the causes that matter most to them.
By partnering with Lasting Legacy, donors have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Pottsville, knowing their contributions are being used wisely and effectively to create a brighter future for the entire community.
Other Projects:
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General George Joulwan Park
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Renovations to the JFK Trail
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Lighting of the Henry Clay Monument
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Support to the Pottsville Shade Tree Commission
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Our current signature Project:
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Discovery Park
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Pottsville Mural Arts
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Discovery Park
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Bench Art at JFK Walking Trail
Community Projects
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Winter wonderland and Yuengling Park
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Art in the Park
Our values
Lasting Legacy is committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Pottsville and the surrounding areas
Our mission is to support and develop city parks, community spaces, and vital local projects that create a lasting impact for generations to come
Our Team
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Integrity
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People
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Velocity
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Flexibility
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Vision
This Is Us In Numbers
$355M
Clients’ Income during the Last Quarter
10+
Business Partners in Over 30 Countries
27
Years of Experience
5
Industry Awards