Category:Franklin Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania

In June, 1967 the Franklin Elementary School was closed at the end of the 1966-67 school year due to age and condition. It was subsequently torn down by the end of 1967. As part of the demolition, the school's basketball courts, swings, and other playground equipment was removed. Afterwards, the basement of the school was filled in and graveled over. For a little over two years, the empty lot was used primarily for neighborhood parking, and also by the nearby St. Stephen's Lutheran church for parking on Sundays

It was determined in May 1970 by the Allentown School District to repave the entire former school lot with asphalt and lease it to the City for use as a neighborhood playlot. In June, a new layer of asphalt was laid down over the entire lot. However in July, the Allentown Department of Operations and Recreation partially rebuilt the site with a basketball and volleyball court, along with new playground equipment. In 1976, a covered pavilion was built on the playground, along with landscaping and other site improvements, such as the removal of old concrete and refurbishing concrete stairs. The playground was renamed Franklin Park. Today, Franklin Park is also home to a community garden funded by the Allentown Community Garden Task Force, a group that sprung up and provides free food distribution to needy Allentonians.