CRANBERRY TWP — The township is bringing back the neighborhood block party with a unique piece of equipment.

The township purchased and stocked a small utility trailer with everything a neighborhood would need to host a community block party. The trailer has four folding tables, 26 chairs, recycling and trash cans, cornhole boards, bocce, a canopy tent and Yardzee game.

There also are barricades and safety cones to help block off a street for the party. The trailer even comes with garbage bag tags to help out with extra trash leftover from the event.

Jerry Andree, township manager, said in the past when people would host block parties, police might help by providing barriers to block off sections of the road. But otherwise people were on their own if they didn't have enough tables, chairs and extra garbage cans to accommodate guests and sometimes would not host neighborhood get-togethers.

“These are things that we've heard over the years that hinder people from pulling things together,” Andree said. “They don't have this or that, or it's a hassle to pull this out.”

The township researched what other communities have done across the country and adapted the idea to what would work for Cranberry. More than anything, the block party trailer is about getting neighbors to interact to build and sustain relationships.

“When people know each other, it's good for crime prevention. People know their neighborhoods,” Andree said. “From a government standpoint, we hear what's on people's minds. It's a great sounding board for us. But most importantly, it's about neighbors getting to know neighbors.”

Tina Fedko, township communications manager, said the trailer is sponsored by the First Energy Foundation, and the township is lining up other sponsors to help pay for the trailer.

Homeowners' associations can reserve the trailer online at the township's website, and workers with the township will drop it off the day of the event and pick it up when the party is over.

Neighborhoods also can request representatives from the police department, fire department and EMS to visit during the party so residents can get to better know their first responders.

The Crossings neighborhood off Rochester Road was the first homeowners association to use the trailer Friday. Carrie Silvers, a member of The Crossings homeowners' association social committee, said last year they hosted a party to welcome new neighbors into the community, but people had to bring their own chairs and blankets to sit on.

This year for the neighborhood party, they took advantage of the township's newest amenity. Tables and chairs were set up in the grassy main common area of the neighborhood, where neighbors gathered for a potluck dinner.

“It's so nice of Cranberry to provide this and to foster the neighborhood block party,” Silvers said.

For more information on the trailer, visit www.twp.cranberry.pa.us/2563/Block-Parties.