Our story today was provided by George Di Domizio of Salford Township, who tells the tale of the Fifth Street Playground in Lansdale.

Here’s his account:

Back in late 1967, Neil Migliaccio and a group of neighbors in Lansdale’s East Ward had an idea to convert an abandoned industrial eyesore at the corner of West Fifth Street and Towamencin Avenue into a neighborhood playground.

When it was learned that the Reading Railroad wanted to use the property for a trash transfer station, the idea became an impossible dream.

The group pursued its impossible dream by forming the East Ward Civic Association, with Migliaccio as its president.

With dogged determination, the association put on a $5,000 fundraising drive and enlisted the help of officials in Lansdale, the county and the state.

Flash forward to Aug. 31, 1968, when about 3,000 people jammed West Fifth Street for a dedication ceremony that included a parade with the color guards from three Lansdale veterans groups, several fire companies and a 75-piece marching band from Archbishop Wood High School.

A group of about 30 volunteers helped organize various activities that included games for youngsters, refreshments, dancing, and water game competitions by fire companies.

On hand for the ceremonies were state Sen. Ed Holl and Councilman Leroy Benner, who played a pivotal role in persuading the Reading Railroad to abandon its plans for the trash transfer station and turn the property over to the borough for a long-term lease for $1.

A highlight of the dedication ceremonies was when the marching band assembled in front of a flat-bed trailer that served as the speakers’ platform and played the song, “The Impossible Dream.”

The photo featured today show the dignitaries on the platform, from left: the Rev. Phil Ricci from St Stanislaus Church; Lansdale Mayor Ellis P. Delp; state Rep. Charles Dager; Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Russell Parkhouse; state Sen. Ed Holl; Civic Association Secretary Cathy Reeder; Civic Association President Neil Migliaccio; Master of Ceremonies George Di Domizio; President of Lansdale Council Bill Wentz; Architect John Kennedy; Park Authority Chair Bill Roan; Councilman G. Austin Kulp; Police Sgt. Tony Riccardi; Reading Railroad legal counsel and Lansdale Councilman Leroy Benner; Police Chief Wally Hendricks; Mabel Reed of the Volunteer Medical Service Corps; landscaper William Heyser; Jaycee President James Holben; Precision Rebuilding President Dick Howarth; Lansdale Councilman Nick Thee; and contractor Carl Schnable.