What’s a flagpole without a flag?

The City of Bradford’s Parks and Recreation Department is working to make sure city residents don’t have to ask that question with its America’s Colors program.

Parks and Rec Director Pat Goff said the program “was an idea that we came up with within (the department) to not just show respect for our country but honor those who serve and who we have lost in this great community.”

He explained that, “thanks to some very generous donations,” department crews have been able to display new American flags in places they have never been before.

For example, the city’s Fifth Ward Park at the end of Rochester and Grove streets has long had a pole, but never a flag. The Langianese family donated a “giant” 5-foot by 9.5-foot flag for that site.

“What a mammoth that thing is,” Goff said.

New poles and flags have been added to Burns Memorial Park off North Kendall Avenue and to the garden behind the city garage near Callahan Park’s Poplin Avenue entrance.

“That garden is maintained by Futures and they do a wonderful job,” Goff noted, adding the North Kendall flag is situated in the center of the park’s former wading pool.

He said the Parks and Recreation Department plans to put up more poles and flags as the year progresses, including at Hanley Park on Davis Street and the Congress Street Park “in the very near future.”

“Parks staff Tom Shay and Steve Newton have been working on this project right along,” Goff said. “We would also like to thank the American Legion, VFW, JJs Saloon, the Eagles Club, Rep. Martin Causer’s office and more for their donations, as they have made all of this possible.”