Export will expand park programs this summer

Export will expand staff this year at its summer playground program, and the borough’s local business association will trial an outdoor film series there.

Councilwoman Melanie Litz secured council’s approval to add a fourth staff member to the daily group supervising children at the annual program, which operates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Playground off Roosevelt Avenue.

“Right now we cap it at 25, and after that we ask that parents stay,” Litz said. “Safety’s the top priority, and we don’t want any one staff member watching after too many kids. But we’ve had a lot of help from parents and from community businesses, and this will let us have more kids per day.”

Participants pay a $5 registration upon their initial visit to the program, and can bring a lunch that will be refrigerated. Daily participation fees have been paid in recent years by an anonymous local donor.

This year’s program begins June 19, and is open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. A registration form is available at ExportPennsylvania.com.

In addition, the Export Business Association will try hosting a free summer film series at the playground.

Council granted unanimous approval to association President Liz Ferri. Films will be family-oriented, will take place once a month on a Friday and will begin at dusk.

“This year we don’t want to try anything like snacks, just ask people to bring their own,” Ferri said. “We want to kind of throw the idea out there and see how it works.”

The first movie night will be June 23.