MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:                           LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      AUGUST 28, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 BOARD MEMBERS:                                                          TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:

Greg Mahon, Chairman                                                          Wendy Hayden, Township Representative

Susan Parry, Vice Chairman                                                   Tom Vernau, Township Manager

Richard Grove, Secretary                                                       Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Scott Duncanson                                                                    

Charles Angelo                                                                      

 

Mr. Mahon called the July 24, 2019 Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:02 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. PARRY moved to approve the minutes from the July 24, 2019 meeting.  Mr. DUNCANSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

PRESENTATION:  Disc Golf Course at LACP

Mr. Josh LeValley and Mr. Ben Hammen were in attendance at tonight’s meeting to speak to the Recreation and Parks Board about installation of a disc golf course at Lower Allen Community Park. They explained how disc golf is played and how a typical course is laid out. The presented a map of the park with some suggested layout of disc golf holes drawn on. Mr. LeValley stated that a course could be either 9 or 18 holes, depending on available space and there is typically 100 – 300 feet between baskets. Each hole would need to have a cement or turf pad to start the play and a sign with the number of the hole as well as distance.  The object of play is to get the disc into a basket with metal chains mounted on a pole at the other end of that hole. They stated that they tried to avoid any baseball or soccer fields as well as play areas in their proposed course layout. Mr. LeValley and Mr. Hammen provided a hand-out with pricing from Innova Disc Golf. The cost for 18 baskets, 18 signs, and one course rules sign is estimated at $6,800.00. They also said that the baskets last a long time.

BOARD COMMENTS:

Mr. Duncanson asked if there is funding available for a project like this and if the Township paid half could Mr. LeValley and Mr. Hammen get sponsors to pay the rest. They said they could get sponsors for holes. He explained that the gentlemen would have to make a presentation, to the Board of Commissioners, who could authorize the money from the Township. 

Mr. Vernau asked what would happen if the Park gets really busy and people are in the way of the disc golf players. Mr. LeValley stated that the golfers would skip that hole and come back to it.

Mr. Duncanson would like to see the baskets in place first before the pads are created to see how the layout works.

Mr. Mahon stated that coming to the Rec and Parks meeting tonight was good timing and the Board would look at the project as a whole. He thanked Mr. LeValley and Mr. Hammen for coming.

Mr. Duncanson stated that the Board should look at other upcoming improvements planned for the Community Park to see if the golf course fits in.

Mr. Angelo suggested doing some practice layout with throwing to cones to make sure the layout works before money is invested.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  YELLOW BREECHES PARK

No one from the public is present to comment. Mrs. Hayden reported that regular park maintenance is ongoing. Residents are enjoying the garden plots, with the only issue being some of the crops getting eaten by deer. Mr. Vernau commented that there have not been problems with crowds there this summer. He and Mr. Grove also spoke about the bridge near the park being closed and that it may be closed permanently.

LIASON 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: 

• Regular park maintenance is ongoing.
• The pond at Lower Allen Community Park is now free of algae following commercial treatment. Fallen brush and debris have been cleared from around the area but there is still work to be done.
• The 90-foot section of the Beacon Hill – Allendale Trail that flooded often has been paved on the Beacon Hill side. Crews elevated the trail with blacktop the entire way to Poplar Avenue. Tree and brush trimming was also completed where the trail was overgrown. Mr. Duncanson asked if drains had been added to the area that floods. Mrs. Hayden replied that just an elevated level of blacktop was used.

ACTIVITIES REPORT

Mrs. Hayden provided the following Activities update: 

• The Township’s Yappy Hour was held at the LACP Dog Park on August 1^st from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Approximately 70 people enjoyed attending the event, with their dogs and no problems were reported.
• Schedules have been completed for fall ballfields. The Dillsburg Soccer Tournament will be the last athletic event held at LACP on Columbus Day weekend, October 12^th – 13^th. Due to parking issues in the past, Dillsburg Soccer is reserving all of the facilities for the weekend.
• Mrs. Hayden also reported that the Board of Commissioners has approved both Gaga Pit projects that were presented at the last Rec and Parks meeting. Since Mr. Mahon missed the last meeting, she explained that the one at Highland Park, is a Scout project, which is using half of the tennis court. The other is to be built at Sheepford Crossing Park, with the Township paying for the materials and volunteers doing the planning and construction.

NEW BUSINESS

• Vernau spoke about a request he received for leasing of land on the Beacon Hill Radar site for a cell tower. He was asked by Deborah Baker of Baker Acquisition LLC who is working for Shentel, a Sprint affiliate. They are looking to place an additional tower in an area that would support Sprint customers in Lower Allen Township and New Cumberland. Mr. Vernau said that the Township still plans to put a pavilion up there eventually but there should be room for the tower also. It is required to have a setback equal to its height and to be at least 100 feet from a residential area. It must have two parking spaces. A 70’ x 70’ area is needed for the tower base and related equipment as well as a fence. He pointed out that the Township would get money for renting the land. They would prefer to install a monopole but would be willing to install a “stealth” structure like a Tree Pole. If the Rec and Park Board is not opposed to the idea, Mr. Vernau will present the idea to the Board of Commissioners. Mr. Mahon asked if there might be pushback from residents and Mr. Vernau agreed that there could be. The Board is not opposed to the tower if it is placed in a way that is not unsightly and uses a stealth structure. Mr. Vernau will negotiate a rental fee with the company.
• Vernau led a discussion about some structural recommendations for the Cedar Spring Run Park. There is a sum of $25,000 left in the budget which had been intended for Windsor Park. Since that park is not likely to be developed this year, he proposed using the money to develop the southern end of Cedar Spring Run Park. One idea for that end of the park is a natural amphitheater with semicircle rocks and podium. This could be useful as an outdoor classroom or a meeting place. Another use could be for installation of playground equipment for older kids. Mr. Duncanson spoke about the initial park plans being for a more natural themed park. Another option would be to divide the money between the other parks. If it’s not spent, the money stays in the general fund. The majority of the Rec and Parks Board is in favor of the stone amphitheater idea, being presented to the Board of Commissioners.

ADJOURN

The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 8:49 pm.

Next meeting is Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 7:00 pm.