The roads outside the YMCA in New Kensington got a lot more colorful on Wednesday.
Sarah Snider, a member of the Valley Points Family YMCA board, and Draven Pointer, a Better Block architectural designer from Dallas, were among volunteers and members of Dallas-based Better Block Foundation who began painting the crosswalks outside the YMCA on Constitution Boulevard.
The work was part of preparing the area for a Better Block event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, which aims to highlight the potential for the area and come up with ideas for how a vacant lot next to the YMCA could be used.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring people together,” said Dee Whitacer, who teaches yoga at the YMCA and works the front desk and was helping paint the crosswalks. “New Kensington seems to be on the upswing, so hopefully it will continue in that direction.”
Whitacer grew up in New Kensington and graduated from Valley High School.
“I was thinking of moving away, now I’m not,” she said. “Things are looking up. At least I hope that’s the case.”
Preparation work is scheduled to continue Thursday and Friday.
Those interested in helping can sign up online or show up for a morning shift, 9 a.m. to noon, or in the afternoon, from 3 to 6 p.m.
