Placemaking

A Key Asset for the Film Industry

Diverse Locations

Goal: Develop a cohesive and collaborative Berks County message, along with shared marketing resources

The Reading Film Office (RFO) is home to the Reading FilmFEST, a local film festival that celebrates filmmaking and cinema from local to international renown. As the festival has grown, the RFO has been supported by IMAGINE Berks to build out their location database and website as a resource for filmmakers and creatives alike. The RFO works on raising the profile of Berks County at national events and tradeshows. For local filmmakers, they provide workshops and resources to help their vision become reality. Click on the picture to the left to explore the brand new location database and discover some of Berks County’s hidden gems. 

Trail Connections:

Thun Trail

Goal: Increase Trail System Connections

In the County’s Greenway, Parks and Recreation Plan Berks Countians indicated that walking/biking connections between schools/parks/neighborhoods and closing gaps between different trail systems and recreational areas were important to them.  In some locations, this could begin to include walk-to and bike-to-work connections.   A great example is the Thun trail extension – the County of Berks submitted a grant application to the Local Share Account program in November 2024, project awards are expected to be announced in September 2025.  

The orange line shows the extension and paving of the Thun Trail
Community Messaging

Sharing Our Stories

Goal: Develop a cohesive and collaborative Berks County message

Messaging in a community is more important than ever in an age where local print media has declined. We provided funding to our key community partner, Berks County Television, in support of their new community hub website. Their site not only provides information about what is happening in the community, they create thousands of articles, videos, and pieces of content a year highlighting the community and its residents. This work is essential in creating cohesive messaging to help attract and retain residents and workers alike. 

West Reading Main Street: Photo Credits @BerksCountyViews
What We Look To Achieve

Vibrant Communities

Together

Placemaking is the idea that an area is more than the sum of its parts. Each piece of a community helps build a sense of identity and belonging for current and future residents. We’re focusing on enhancing what makes us unique and diverse.  We invite you to explore our downtowns and main streets:

Our commitment to placemaking includes outdoor recreation and our natural assets. Our Greenways, Parks, and Recreation Plan affords funding opportunities and project support to connect trails systems and improve access to our parks. The plan outlines the need for preserving and investing in these areas to sustain them for future generations to enjoy. 

Focus Area:

Placemaking

Focus

Goal: Invest in and highlight community assets that provide access to a variety of arts, culture, greenspace, and recreation opportunities for all residents

  • Fund enhancements to new and existing public spaces located across the county, prioritizing greenspace and inclusive gathering spaces
  • Support main street and commercial district revitalization programs
  • Continue investment in the trail systems
  • Develop a cohesive and collaborative Berks County message, along with shared marketing resources