The application process ends May 16 for 2025 Community Recovery Fund grants was announced by Chair Janine Santoro at the Mayor’s South Side Task Force March 25 hybrid meeting held in the NCC Fowler Center.

“Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Survey is now available on We Build Bethlehem,” Santoro continued as she ticked off agenda items. She explained the “40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years” includes upgrading all of the city’s 40-plus parks within a 10-year span. This builds on improvements made after the City’s 2017 Comprehensive Parks Study. Short-term and long-term goals are to be drawn from community input.

Santoro announced the Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission’s Cherry Blossom Festival would be happening April 5 at the Garden of Serenity/BAPL Main on Church Street from noon - 4 p.m.

The Pembroke Choice Festival was also scheduled for April 5 at the Boys and Girls Club, 1430 Fritz Dr. with food, activities, music and a look at plans for the future of the Pembroke neighborhood.

Attending remotely, Celina Daddario from Northside Alive described the event and improvements planned for that area. “Our early action project is focused on the intersection of Pembroke and Steak and making some place making gateway-sequel improvements to Steak Park,” said the community organizer. With this “work in progress” in draft form, she said community input is welcome.

Daddario mentioned a block party is scheduled from noon - 3 p.m. May 3 near the Dream Boyd Theatre apartment on West Broad.

Also online, Adrienne McNeil from Lehigh University promoted Lehigh University’s Spring Fling: Superheroes is taking place 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. April 5 on the university’s front lawn with crafts, games, food, entertainment and more on this busy Saturday. April 6 is the rain date.

There is a Community Action Development Bethlehem Park Clean-Up day on April 12 from 10 a.m. - noon at Yosko Park. These cleanup events are held every second Saturday of the month from April through November at various locations.

McNeil mentioned that Lehigh is a partner and volunteers can gather at 9:30 a.m. at Farrington Square for coffee, bagel and supplies.

Santoro noted the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley’s 2025 Fiesta Colombia is being hosted at the Wind Creek Bethlehem Foundry Ballroom on May 30 at 5:30 p.m.

The city’s Easter egg hunt is 10 a.m. - noon April 19 at Daniel E. Rice Memorial Plaza, 112 W. Lehigh St.

“It must be springtime ’cause I’m swimming in events,” said Katy Knibbs from South Side Arts District. Attending online, she listed several including the April First Friday on April 4.

Knibbs announced the Live on the Greenway Summer Concert Series return for 2025 starting May 18 through June 8. These Sunday afternoon concerts feature a new band each week, a food truck or local restaurant, and local craft beverage makers.

The free performances are held at Harmony Pavilion on the Bethlehem Greenway at 333 Taylor St.

On the North Side is Live in the Garden! presented by the City of Bethlehem with sponsor, Zellers Arts Center. The concert series is taking place at the Bethlehem Rose Garden on Saturday evenings from May 10 - June 28.

Lauren Gilmore from the Bethlehem Public Library’s Southside branch described the after school homework program being restarted. Lehigh University students volunteer every Monday through Thursday. She listed a few other upcoming activities.

Jeff Zettlemoyer from Housing Opportunities said funds are available to assist first-time homebuyers, but they are looking to work with the city to make the dollars stretch. He lamented that “affordability” may be an “oxymoron.”

Santoro mentioned there are open seats on several authorities, boards and commissions. City hall is also looking for applicants for employment opportunities. While not actively seeking recruits for open positions now, the Bethlehem Police Department will accept applications.

The Mayor’s South Side Task Force regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month. The next one will be April 29.