MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:                           LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      OCTOBER 24, 2018

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD MEMBERS:                                                          TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:

Greg Mahon, Chairman                                                          Wendy Hayden, Township Representative

Susan Parry, Vice Chairman                                                   Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Richard Grove                                                                       

Scott Duncanson

Robert Pelles

Charles Angelo

 

Mr. Greg Mahon called the October 24, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:02 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. DUNCANSON moved to approve the minutes from the September 26, 2018 meeting.  Mr. ANGELO seconded the motion.  Motion carried 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  BEACON HILL

Mr. Mahon stated that Beacon Hill is our park of the month. No one from the public is present and our Beacon Hill representative is unable to be here. Mrs. Hayden reported that while a broken pavilion light was being replaced, it was discovered that PP&L had turned off the electricity to the pavilion. The Facility Manager is looking into this. Public Works also cut a small drainage swale alongside the playground, to help reroute water that has been washing out playground woodchips.

LIAISON REPORT – COMMISSIONER HOLTZMAN

Commissioner Holtzman is absent so there is no liaison report.

RECREATION AND PARKS STAFF REPORT

Mrs. Hayden provided the following Parks Operation Staff update: 

• The pavilion and interior restrooms were painted at Pete’s Park.
• Creekwood Park: Mrs. Hayden asked the board members for their opinions on issues with standing water at the Creekwood side of the Allendale-Beacon Hill trail. She included a picture of the area. Numerous residents have called and complained about the wet conditions. One option being considered is adding a shallow 10 foot wide swale from the trail to the creek. Other suggestions from the Board included installing a boardwalk, permeable asphalt, a slotted curb on either side of a built up surface, or a grass waterway beside the area.

ACTIVITIES REPORT

Mrs. Hayden provided the following Activities update: 

• Limited parking was a major problem at the Columbus Day, Dillsburg Soccer Tournament. Even though it was held in multiple locations, there were a lot of teams in attendance. People were parking on the grass. Next year the organization may have to rent the entire park in order to have more space. Currently they are not renting the barn, tot lot, and Fernlawn. Other suggestions were to have them limit the number of teams booked here or to hire parking attendants.
• We have received a grant for $192,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for improvements at the Fun Fort in Lower Allen Community Park. Mr. Grove noted that this grant combined with state grant is part of $400,000 currently in the budget to replace a deteriorated section of the Fun Fort. Public Works hopes to begin demolition this winter. The Fun Fort will be closed during that time. We have a design selected but must go out for bids for construction. Hopefully construction can be started in early spring.

OLD BUSINESS

• Parry inquired about the plans for redoing the rain garden. Mrs. Hayden stated that at this time management is not interested in pursuing the project. They feel that the area should just continue as a wetland which is its current state, is working well. Ms. Parry asked if a staff member could possibly come to the next meeting, to discuss the matter in more detail.
• Mahon summarized a letter he had received from Mr. Tom Vernau in response to the parks recommendation letter, sent by the Recreation and Parks Board, following Park Tours. Mr. Vernau stated the following:
  • More discussion will take place during the design phase regarding the $25,000 requested for the Windsor Park Playground. A loop trail, tot lot play structure, and chess table or bocce courts have been suggested.
  • In Highland Estates playground, a solar motion light will be considered but not a drinking fountain. Converting the tennis courts to an alternative use like pickle ball is being considered.
  • The Township would like to hear more about improvements to the Yellow Breeches Park boat access. The entire park is being considered for improvements in a future year to include pavilions and camping areas.
  • There are plans for a park with a pavilion, wedding gazebo, and fitness trail at the Beacon Hill Radar site. This is set to begin in 2020.
  • For the pond at Lower Allen Community Park, chemicals will be applied in 2019 to get rid of the algae and an aerator fountain is to be installed in 2020. There is also the possibility of a performance stage with seating coming in the future.

NEW BUSINESS 

Mr. Grove spoke about a bid that was awarded at the Board of Commissioner’s last meeting for the fence at Allendale. Work should begin soon. He also mentioned that the water fountain at Pete’s Park is in this year’s budget and has not yet been completed. It can be installed by our staff. 

Ms. Parry stated that she is having surgery in January and will be out for a couple of meetings.

Mr. Mahon reminded everyone that the November Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 14^th due to Thanksgiving falling on the week it would normally meet. Since it will be the last meeting of the year, discussion needs to be held regarding terms expiring, meeting dates for 2019, and a new chairperson. As well, the Gardener’s Gathering should be planned while Ms. Parry is available.

ADJOURN 

The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 7:36 pm.

Next meeting is Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 7:00 pm.