| 1921 |
The estate of Henry B. McCormick donated 14 acres to the Borough with
the deed restriction that it can be used only as a park. |
| 1935 |
 The original swimming
pool is completed. It was preceded by an earthen dam that was constructed
in the 1920’s by local residents. The pool construction was initiated by
the Civil Works Administration and after funding was exhausted, a dedicated
corps of volunteers completed the pool with many thousands of hours and
borrowed equipment and materials. |
| 1936 |
The original pool bathhouse was completed. |
| 1937 |
The Portage Civic Improvement Association was chartered by the Cambria
County Court of Common Pleas. |
| 1939 |
A Works Project Administration project, funded by the Civic Improvement
Association, started construction on a bridge, roadway, athletic field,
and landscaping. |
| 1940’s |
 Many improvements
were made to the park by high school students, WPA workers, the Borough,
the American Legion, VFW, local businesses and service clubs, and coal
companies. A partial listing of the improvements includes road resurfacing,
new bathhouse and pool fence, picnic shelters and tables, tennis courts,
softball fields, basketball courts, horseshoe pitch, parking spaces, band
stand, street lights and water fountains, and pool diving board and flood
lights. |
| 1954 |
Mrs. Rose Crichton donated 32 acres of land with the same stipulation
as the original donation; that it must be used exclusivley for a park |
| 1956 |
The entrance to what was now Crichton-McCormick Park was named Verba
Boulevard, in honor of John D. Verba, who guided the growth of the park
since its inception 35 years earlier. |
| 1960 |
The Sonman Mine Explosion Memorial was relocated from Jamestown to
its present site in the park. |
| 1960’s |
This decade saw the rehabilitation of most park buildings, structures,
and landscaping. |
| 1965 |
The Senior Class at PAHS dedicated its yearbook to the Park and the
Civic Improvement Association, which is indicative of the value the facility
has to the residents. |
| 1970’s |
The Little League field was reconstructed and floodlights were installed
for night games. The Pee Wee League field was constructed in 1976. Borough
Council, with the aid of federal funding, installed 4 tennis courts and
comfort stations and purchased 15 new picnic tables. |
| 1971 |
The Rose Crichton Estate donates five more acres to the park. |
| 1973 |
Another 3 acres were donated by the Rose Crichton estate, bringing
the Park to its present size of 62 acres. |
| 1987 |
With the aid of state funding, a draining system was installed, the
playground received a major overhaul, shelters rewired, new restrooms constructed,
and more landscaping done. |
| 1990 |
The PA Department of Environmental Resources closes the pool due to
its design and location with the floodplain. |
| 1991 |
The Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission is created by the Borough,
Township and School District with three, three, and one member appointed
respectively. |
| 1992 |
Nearly $500,000 in funding for a new swimming pool was secured and
an architect is commissioned to design a pool for the upper ballfield area. |
| 1994 |
Pool is completed and re-opens. |
| 1998 |
 Project Kids
Place raises over $70,000 for construction of a new playground in the Park.
With the help of hundreds of volunteers, construction is completed in May. |