Scranton Council Moved to Name Splash Pad for Local Couple
City officials introduced an ordinance to honor Joseph and Margaret Dougherty at Capouse Avenue Park.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Scranton City Council has unanimously moved to name the splash pad at Capouse Avenue Park after Joseph and Margaret Dougherty. The naming ordinance seeks to honor the couple, who operated a beloved local restaurant that served as a community hub for decades.
Why it matters
The recognition acknowledges the Doughertys' lasting impact on the local community through their long-running business and family life. It formalizes a tribute at the newly redeveloped park site, which replaced the former Penn Ridge pool facility.
The Capouse Avenue Park project cost $1.8 million and was funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The site replaced the previous Penn Ridge pool, which closed in 2010 and was demolished in 2021.
The players
Joseph Dougherty
He was a long-time local business owner who died in May 2019 at the age of 85.
Margaret Dougherty
She co-operated a community-focused restaurant with her husband for several decades.
Scranton City Council
This is the legislative body responsible for passing municipal ordinances and managing city park naming projects.
The details
The proposal was introduced following the 2026 completion of the $1.8 million Capouse Avenue Park, which features the new splash pad and playground. The Doughertys, who raised 12 children, operated a restaurant that dated back to approximately 1903 and remained a fixture in the community.
Timeline
The Penn Ridge pool and bathhouse facility closed in 2010.
The city demolished the old pool site in 2021.
The new splash pad and playground opened to the public in August 2026.
Council introduced the naming ordinance on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
The council will hold a final vote on the ordinance on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Market Landscape
The project follows a nationwide trend of municipalities utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act to revitalize underused community spaces. This initiative mirrors efforts to replace aging 20th-century recreational facilities with modern, multi-use amenities.
Residents can continue to access the Capouse Avenue Park splash pad and playground as regular city operating hours remain unaffected by the legislative process. The ordinance will finalize the site's official name but will not change daily park accessibility for families.
The takeaway
Naming public facilities after long-standing business owners helps preserve the history of community hubs even after the original buildings are demolished. Residents can keep this in mind as the city continues to modernize older recreational sites through federal investment.
What happens next
The Scranton City Council will conduct a second reading and final vote on the naming ordinance on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the region by visiting Scranton Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scranton Times-Tribune.
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