Derry nonprofit plans park concerts, looks to boost pool activities, invigorate borough

A group of Derry community boosters wants no moss to grow in Mossback Park, the town’s gathering spot for seasonal festivities.

Increasing the number of events at the South Chestnut Street site is one of the goals of the Friends of Derry, a new nonprofit group dedicated to promoting community engagement and attracting more people to the borough through recreational activities.

Bands and mobile eateries are lined up for a series of 4 p.m. Food Truck Friday events beginning April 25. Bands will perform in the park and food trucks will be parked along the adjacent areas of Chestnut Street and Second Avenue.

“We want to promote the assets that the borough has,” said Barbara Phillips, who is president of the nonprofit and fills the same role on borough council. “We’re able to use the park’s gazebo for our musicians, and we’ll invite craft vendors to be in the lot across the street.”

The new free series of Derry concerts is inspired by the well-established and popular SummerSounds concerts at St. Clair Park in Greensburg, said Nathan Bundy, vice president of both borough council and the Friends.

“It’s similar to SummerSounds but on a smaller scale,” he said. “We did a trial run in October with a couple of bands who donated their time and three food trucks.

“It generated a lot of interest. We had about 150 to 200 people there.”

For this year’s series of events, he said, participating food trucks have agreed to donate 10% of their proceeds to benefit the Derry Volunteer Fire Department.

Some donors have stepped up to support the concert series. If the nonprofit obtains additional money for the live music through fundraisers and sponsorships, those initial donations could help cover the group’s marketing and start-up costs, Bundy said.

The group also is looking to shine a light on local history and folklore, building upon recent efforts to engage those interested in the legendary Bigfoot creature associated with sightings on the outskirts of the town.

Mossback Park derives its name from a term used to describe workers in Derry’s primary industry of the past — the railroad.

That heritage is celebrated each fall during the town’s Railroad Days festival.

But last year’s event also featured a new array of Bigfoot-related activities — including talks by researchers, a tour of area sighting locations and unveiling of a Bigfoot statue purchased by the borough.

Town officials have discussed developing a parklet around the statue.

“The biggest focus is going to be on the folklore aspect with Bigfoot,” said Denise Wood, president of Derry Area Historical Society and secretary of the Friends group.

She said the group also has discussed the idea of installing plaques at spots in the town to recognize prominent citizens in Derry’s history — like Army Sgt. Harmon Burd, killed in action Feb. 23, 1966 in Vietnam.

The historical society has taken part in community activities in downtown Derry, including distributing candy and offering books for sale during a recent Halloween event.

Wood also has been involved in fundraising for the borough swimming pool, which is another focus of the Friends.

Bundy said the group hopes to promote special events at the pool and would like to see swim lessons reintroduced there.

“I’m supportive of anything to revitalize Derry — getting people downtown, knowing each other and strengthening a sense of community,” Wood said.

The group’s board of directors includes Russell Justice, Elizabeth Sims, Jessica Love and Ron Murphy. Angela Fleming Bundy serves as treasurer.

Visit friendsofderry.com for more information about the group and its activities.