The pandemic kept the popular Scranton destination closed for the season last year. Author: Elizabeth Worthington Updated: 5:15 PM EDT April 30, 2021
SCRANTON, Pa. This is the first time a group of people has emerged from the Lackawanna Coal Mine since October of 2019. The Scranton tourist attraction never got the chance to open for the season last year. Financially, it hurt. We usually do anywhere from 20,000 to 30,000 people in the summer, just in the mine itself. So that hurt, said Jerry Hubshman, director of Lackawanna County Parks & Recreation. It s been a tough road for everybody. The employees here haven t done any work in that long, so everybody s glad to be back, said Art Moran, deputy director of Lackawanna County Parks & Recreation.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners – Jerry Notarianni, Debi Domenick, and Chris Chermak – have announced that the four county parks are now accepting reservations for gatherings at the respective pavilions and athletic fields.
To make a reservation, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 570-963-6764. For more details about dates and fees, visit lackawannacounty.org.
During the upcoming season, McDade Park in Scranton, Merli-Sarnoski Park in Greenfield Township, Covington Park in Covington Township, and Aylesworth Park in Jermyn will be open to the general public on Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. until dusk, when the parks close.
People will be able to walk, hike, jog, bike, and fish. The restrooms will be open, and sports activities will be permitted. All safety protocols must be followed, as the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing.