Park Sponsor Reception
The Souderton-Telford Rotary Club held a special sponsor reception on Sunday, June 11, 2023, to express gratitude and recognize the generous donors who have helped to make the Souderton Community Park Renovation Project a reality. CLICK HERE for additional photos from the event.
Held in the Souderton Community Park prior to that evening’s Concert Sundaes performance, the event celebrated the successful renovation and beautification project and included a light dinner with food provided by Franconia Heritage Banquet and Conference Center and a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the new playground.
Completed elements include renovations to the Maurice W. Foulke bandshell and the pavilion, installation of a state-of-the-art playground and fitness equipment, and construction of a multi-purpose building with restrooms.
This ambitious vision of transforming Souderton Community Park into a vibrant space for the community was unveiled in 2019. At the request of Souderton Borough leadership, the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club took up the responsibility of promoting the project and spearheading fundraising efforts, aligning it with their 2025 Rotary Centennial project. As the platinum sponsor of the project, the Souderton-Telford Rotary made a remarkable financial commitment of $250,000 and was granted the naming rights to the park, reflecting their dedication and leadership in ensuring the success of the park improvements.
The major sponsors of the Souderton Community Park Project:
Major Sponsors ($100,000):
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Grant – ($250,000)
Platinum Sponsor ($250,000):
Prior to this current project, the last significant improvement to the park was the construction of the Maurice W. Foulke Bandshell, which was dedicated by the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club 36 years ago in June 1987 with the inaugural Concert Sundaes performances.
Two additional elements of the Souderton Community Park Renovation Project honor local community members for their outstanding dedication and service. The Concert Sundaes Lawn is dedicated to Marc Rosenberger. Rosenberger, a Rotarian with over 50 years of service, led the Bandshell project in the 1980s, collaborating with architects, builders, and fundraisers. The Pocket Park at the corner of Reliance Road and Main Streets, just behind the bandshell, has been renamed Charles Allebach Park in honor of his 48 years as a Rotarian and 37 in service to Souderton as Mayor.
The successful realization of this project would not have been possible without the support of numerous individuals and businesses from the local community. The Souderton-Telford Rotary Club extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the sponsors who helped make this dream a reality.
QNB donates $25,000
Harleysville Bank donates $25,000
Hatfield donates $100,000 for foodservice building
2022-2023 Renovation Updates
Univest Becomes Major Sponsor for Souderton Community Park Renovations
Left to right: Betsy Roush, Community Relations Manager, Univest Financial Corporation, Mike Keim, President, Univest Bank & Trust Co., Jeff Schweitzer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Univest Financial Corporation, Leon Moyer, Souderton-Telford Rotary and chair of the Park Renovation Committee, Brian Goshow, President, Souderton Borough Council, and Karla Myers, President, Souderton-Telford Rotary.
Souderton, Pa., August 30, 2021: Univest Financial has stepped forward as a major sponsor for the extensive, six-year renovation and beautification project being completed at Souderton Community Park by the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club and Souderton Borough. Planned upgrades include an adult fitness area and two adjacent playground areas. Univest has committed to donating $100,000 and will serve as the naming sponsor for the playground area for ages 5-12.
Additional renovations, some of which are already in-progress, include the bandshell remodeling and technological improvements, new kitchen and restroom facilities, expanded paved parking, improved lighting, and art walkways.
"We couldn't be more excited to see Univest come forward as the first major sponsor for the Souderton Community Park. A project of this scope requires support from the community and there have been many who have and are supporters of this project, but Univest is our first major, naming sponsor," said Leon Moyer, Souderton-Telford Rotary and chair of the Park Renovation Committee. "We are hoping that other community businesses will follow the lead of Univest and get involved in this exciting project. The community park is truly one of the centerpieces of this town and a gathering place in our community. With the plans we have in place it will become even more used by Souderton and the surrounding communities."
Jeff Schweitzer, president and CEO of Univest, said, "Univest was founded in Souderton in 1876 so we are especially excited to be serving as a sponsor for the renovations at Souderton Community Park. Making financial contributions to give back to the communities we serve and make them better places to live, work and play is one way we live out our core value of community. We look forward to enjoying the park's renovations and thank Souderton Borough and Souderton-Telford Rotary for their hard work and dedication to our hometown."
About Univest Financial Corporation
Univest Financial Corporation (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., Member FDIC, has approximately $6.4 billion in assets and $4.5 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business at June 30, 2021. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 50 offices in southeastern and central Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey, Maryland and online at www.univest.net.
About the Souderton Community Park Renovation
Visit: www.soudertonpark.org or www.souderton-telfordrotary.com.
Souderton Park Grant
The Souderton Community Park has received a $250,000 grant. The grant was awarded by Pennsylvania's Community Conservation Program, which is administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
This grant will be utilized to partially fund the fitness and playground equipment, new pedestrian walkways, ADA access points, and landscaping.
Marcus Rosenberger Dedication
Marcus L. Rosenberger is being honored for his tireless work and dedication to the Souderton Concert Sundaes Program.
Rosenberger has been involved with the bandshell since its inception in 1980, and was very active in the Concert Sundaes Committee, which he led for 25 years. Rosenberger has been an active member of the Souderton-Telford Rotary for 50 years.
In recognition of his service, the Concert Sundaes lawn by the bandshell will now be called the Marcus L. Rosenberger Lawn. There will be a plaque and small monument with some decorative landscaping to commemorate the area.
Renovation Update
It was a busy couple years at the Souderton Community Park.
Here are some of the construction highlights that took place over the past couple years:
• Painting of the bandshell
• Upgrading the bandshell lighting
• Replace the slate cap on the wall surrounding the bandshell
• Tree removal
• Excavating and drainage
• Landscaping in front of the bandshell
• Building construction for Kitchenette and Restrooms
• Gaga pit relocated and upgraded
• Repointed Stonewall
• Planted new trees
• Pavillion renovations - New roof, exterior painting, interior painting
• Parking Lot
• Fitness and Playground equipment
We look forward to 2023 and seeing more progress.
Charles Allebach Pocket Park
On June 16, 2019, the Pocket Park area of the Souderton Park was dedicated and renamed the Charles H. Allebach, Jr. Park. This is the far corner of the park, on the corner of Main Street and Reliance Road, where the town clock stands.
Charles Allebach who passed away in 2017, was mayor of Souderton for 37 years. He was a member of the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club for 48 years and a dedicated community servant.
Allebach was also one of the key founders of Concert Sundaes in the park.
Groundbreaking
On June 16, 2019, we officially broke ground on the new Souderton Community Park Renovations.
The Souderton Community Park is the largest and most active park in the Souderton Borough featuring Concert Sundaes, a variety of community events, picnics in the pavilion, and daily use of the playground and walking paths.
This is a long-term improvement that is kicking-off today. Excavating is planned to begin this fall and go into spring.
Marc Rosenberger
At the Aug. 4 Concert Sundaes in the park, Leon Moyer, the Rotary's Park Project chair, announced that the Concert Sundaes lawn is being dedicated to Marcus Rosenberger.
Marc was one of the founding members of Concert Sundaes and led the committee for 25 years—and continues to be involved in now its 33rd year.
Marc has also been a Souderton-Telford Rotarian for 50 years. During this amazing time of service, he contributed to many improvements within the Souderton Community. He worked with other Rotarians to develop, construct and raise funds for the Maurice W. Foulke Bandshell at the Souderton Park.
