1927

Holmes-Foster Park lands donated to the Borough of State College - 11 acres

1928

Resolution passed creating first State College Borough Recreation Board. State College Council appointed five-member Recreation Board.

1946

First part-time Recreation Director hired - Charles Stoddart.

The State College Borough and the State College School Board started an innovative collaboration to provide year round activities for persons of all ages in arts and crafts, sports, dramatics, music, dancing, nature study, social activities, special events, and adult education. This program, the forerunner of both the school district’s Community Education program and CRPR, started small with two part-time directors, Charles Stoddard and Curt Gaylord. In addition to providing classes in “fun” subjects, the program helped adults gain skills in basic subjects like reading and math.

Two playgrounds in operation.

Adult men’s and women’s basketball league started.

Ice skating program started.

Woodycrest playground area purchased.

 School budget - $2,000. Borough budget - $1,900.

1947

Curt Gaylord appointed new Recreation Director.

Sunset Park purchased - 9 acres, $2,500.

Written agreement in regards to cooperation between the School Board, Recreation Board, and Council.

First adult education program organized.

Junior league football initiated.

Junior league baseball program added.

Sunday Sr. High indoor sports program started.

School budget - $6,000. Borough budget - $3,000.

1948

Ned Cummings appointed new Recreation Director.

Adult men’s softball started.

Midget baseball league started.

School budget - $9,000. Borough budget - $3,900.

1949

Fran Hartzell appointed new Recreation Director.

Additional play apparatus added to Sunset and Holmes-Foster Parks.

Adult homemaking and adult recreation classes separated.

School budget - $10,400. Borough budget - $3,955.

1950

John Dittmar appointed new Recreation Director.

At present time: 2 playgrounds, 2 parks.

Summer landscape class started.

School budget - $11,000. Borough budget - $3,400.

1951

South Hills playground developed.

School budget - $12,500. Borough budget - $3,400.

1952

Recreation Director, John Dittmar, employed full-time.

Nittany Village playground developed.

School budget - $12,500. Borough budget - $4,200.

1953

East Fairmount playground established.

Senior Citizens Club organized.

Folk dancing added to program.

School budget - $24,500. Borough budget - $4,100.

1954

Borough playground program enlarged.

State College Area playgrounds establish

Adult men’s volleyball league organized.

Recreation Board name changed to Park and Recreation Board.

School budget - $17,000. Borough budget - $4,200.

1955

Full time secretary hired.

State College Area playgrounds expanded.

Model airplane class initiated.

School budget - $17,500. Borough budget - $5,200.

1956

Program and Director extended to cover College area.

School budget - $17,500. Borough budget - $5,200.

1957

Recreation Board given permission to use high school facilities for recreation.

School budget - $25,100. Borough budget - $7,000.

1958

Fifteen playgrounds in operation in area.

School budget - $21,150. Borough budget - $8,500.

1959

Suburban Playground developed.

Overlook Heights playground developed.

Newly-constructed Welch Pool opened by The State College Recreation Assn.

School budget - $30,000. Borough budget - $9,500.

1960

Charles Reich hired as Assistant Recreation Director.

Smithfield playground developed.

Forty-seven adult education classes offered.

School budget - $30,000. Borough budget - $9,500.

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