Fidelity Bank Mortgage Team members Patrick boles, Carmen Caputo and Paul Arvay lend a hand to help build the Children’s Playhouse at Aylesworth Park.

Area children can enjoy a new place to play thanks to a private-public partnership between Fidelity Bank and Lackawanna County Department of Parks and Recreation. Fidelity Bank recently donated and constructed a children’s playhouse adjacent to the “no boundaries” accessible playground at Aylesworth Park in Jermyn. The playhouse is currently open for children and their families to enjoy.

Fidelity Bank will host the official reveal of the house at a “Back to School Bash & Ribbon Cutting” event scheduled for Sept. 9 from noon until 2 pm at Aylesworth Park. “A free, fun, family-friendly day is planned to show off our beautiful new playhouse. We’ll have apple cider and donuts, games, giveaways and activities all geared to getting ready for the school year,” said Joann Marsili, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Sales Director, Fidelity Bank. “And of course our Fidelity Bank Green Team mascot, Sammy Saves-a-Lot, will be there to visit and entertain the kids,” she added.

Rich Ainey, Mary McNichols and Joanne Pezzuti put the finishing touches on the Playhouse at Aylesworth Park.

Nearly 20 Fidelity Bankers donated their time, talent and sweat equity through Fidelity Bank’s employee volunteer time off program to build the adorable, 12’ by 20’, Victorian style play structure. In addition to the land, the County donated the manpower to prepare the site and lay the concrete foundation for the playhouse. The playhouse is close to restrooms and parking. It includes landscaping and other amenities and is near picnic tables and benches. A paved pathway leads to the wheelchair accessible door so that children of all abilities can enjoy the playhouse together.

Throughout the month of July, children were invited to help choose the playhouse design by visiting Fidelity Bank’s Branches to vote for one of 3 miniature designs: Victorian, Cape Cod or Carriage House. The charming Victorian house won by a close margin. During the week of July 31, the bankers built the house from floor to roof. Local construction partners, Mar-Paul Construction Company and Servpro Restoration Experts donated tools, expertise and guidance to help the banker’s to get the job done.

This is the second Playhouse in the Park Project Fidelity Bank has done in partnership with Lackawanna County. In 2013 Fidelity Bankers constructed a log cabin playhouse at McDade Park in Scranton. For more information on the ribbon cutting event or the playhouse please visit http://www.bankatfidelity.com.