Published September 11. 2020 01:13PM
By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
With a labor of love, a group of dedicated Girl Scouts and friends, working hand-in-hand with the North Whitehall Township Parks and Recreation Department, dedicated handicapped accessible swings and a dog park at Kolapechka Park, 4158 Coffeetown Road.
Girl Scout Troop 6088, who meet at Union Lutheran Church, Neffs, was led by Kaitlyn Mericle, an Ambassador Scout.
Mericle lives a very active Girl Scout and school life despite having cerebral palsy.
She has not allowed that challenge prevent her from planning the addition of handicapped accessible swings to Kolapechka Park, working with both North Whitehall supervisors and the parks and recreation department to see a successful conclusion on Aug. 23.
Working alongside Mericle was another group of young women ”The Pooch Wheeling Chicks,” who focused on adding a dog park to Kolapechka Park.
”The Pooch Wheeling Chicks,” worked with township’s parks and recreation department to make the dog park a reality.
RIGHT: Sherri Mericle and daughter, Kaitlyn, attended the ribbon cutting for the addition to Kolapechka Park, 4158 Coffeetown Road, North Whitehall. Kaitlyn was instrumental in having the new handicapped accessible swings added. PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND Joann Michael, Girl Scout Troop 6088 Leader, and daughter, Keaira Lutz, an Ambassador Scout, were instrumental in the creation of a dog park at Kolapechka Park.
Madison Pavlick, a Pooch Wheeling Chick member, Kaitlyn Mericle, North Whitehall Public Works Supervisor Gary Kressley, and Keaira Lutz all had a hand in bringing about the updates to North Whitehall's Kolapechka Park.
ABOVE: North Whitehall Supervisor Mark Hills thanks the Girl Scouts and Pooch Wheeling Chicks for their help in bringing about the needed upgrades to Kolapechka Park.
While mom, Sherri, and dad, Matt, hold the ribbon, Kaitlyn Mericle officially opens the handicapped accessible swings at Kolapechka Park.
And now, it's the dogs turn. Kevin Marchetti and Sandra Lutz hold the ribbon, Keaira Lutz and nieces Eliza, Adaleena and Alaya Lutz do the honors.
A black and white dog enjoys the new dog park at North Whitehall's Kolapechka Park.
With a little help from mom, Sherri, Kaitlyn Mericle uses the swing at Kolapechka Park's handicapped accessible playground.
