MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:                           LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      JULY 22, 2020

 The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

BOARD MEMBERS:                                                          TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:

Greg Mahon                                                                            Thomas Vernau, Township Manager

Richard Grove                                                                        Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Scott Duncanson                                                                    

Robert Pelles  

Charles Angelo

 

 

Mr. Mahon called the July 22, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:00 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. GROVE moved to approve the minutes from the January 22, 2020 meeting.  Mr. PELLES seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. PELLES moved to approve the minutes from the June 24, 2020 meeting.  Mr. GROVE seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Sheepford Crossing

No one from the public is present to comment.

 

Yellow Breeches Park

Janice Lynx, 2036 Sheepford Road, was in attendance at the meeting to speak about the Yellow Breeches Park which is nearby to her home. She asked if the Parks and Recreation Board had any future plans for developing the park in the event that the Sheepford Road Bridge is not reopened. She noted seeing a lot of people using the park, especially on weekends. She said that while some people are respectful of the area, others have campfires, drink alcohol, and have unleashed dogs running around. Ms. Lynx said that there is limited cell service in that area. She said that the police do respond if they are called.

Mr. Mahon thanked Ms. Lynx for keeping an eye on the park. He said that the park is considered a passive recreation area and there are no enhancements planned. Safety or maintenance issues are always looked at. Mr. Duncanson would like to see a more formalized boating access there. Ms. Lynx would prefer that the Board wait on any future ideas until it can be determined if the bridge closing at Sheepford effects the Yellow Breeches Park.

Joan Lenker, 1942 Sheepford Road, also wished to speak on the Yellow Breeches Park. She said that there is always some trash left in the area and she would like to see a trash receptacle placed in the park. Mr. Vernau responded that putting a trash receptacle there would cause a significant increase in the amount of trash because no one would carry it out anymore. Mrs. Lenker spoke about seeing more bikers and walkers along the road to the bridge and a lot of people using the creek for recreation. She asked if the Board would be willing to enhance the park into more of a nature park with natural gardens that do not require a lot of maintenance. Mr. Mahon said that the Board appreciates input from residents and considers it when they make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. He does not anticipate any recommendations for this year but would be willing to look at long-term suggestions. Mrs. Lenker asked who maintains the park area or if there are volunteers. Mr. Mahon responded that Township staff from the Public Works Department do most of the work in the parks but there are other programs such as the Adopt-A-Park program for light jobs and volunteers from scouting troops. There is a path in existence but it is fairly overgrown and steep.

Mr. Duncanson said that if there is a specific project that is agreeable to the Parks and Recreation Board, they can recommend the idea to the Board of Commissioners for funding. Mr. Mahon thanked both residents for coming to the meeting.

 

LIASON REPORT – COMMISSIONER HOLTZMAN

Commissioner Holtzman is absent from the meeting.

 

RECREATION AND PARKS STAFF REPORT

Mrs. Hayden was unable to attend the meeting but provided the following Parks Operation Staff update: 

• Due to Covid-19 guidelines, the Public Works staff has been split into two schedules working 4 day weeks to comply with social distancing in the shop. During the past 4 months, crews have kept the grass mowed and trash collected in the parks. Overall, the public has been following the established guidelines for outdoor activities.
• Tree trimming, wood chipping, and mowing are ongoing at all parks. Mrs. Hayden noted that weekend parking in the LACP boat launch area, has been overwhelming. Cars are parking on the fields which interferes with sports use. Tom Stambaugh put up more No Parking signs and police have been ticketing offenders. Vernau added that parking issues are going to be discussed by Township staff. His preference would be to have boulders placed along the roads to prevent vehicles from parking there and it keeps the area more natural looking. He feels that this will be a problem at Yellow Breeches Park as well if the boat launch is improved. Stabilization of the bank may be considered in the future at that park.  

 

ACTIVITIES REPORT

Mrs. Hayden provided the following Activities update for the meeting: 

• All youth and adult sporting activities were canceled in early spring. Those teams have rescheduled and started field use as of mid-June. The soccer and ball fields in Township Parks have all been reserved now for the 2020 season.
• Facility reservations were also canceled through June. Many more have canceled or rescheduled. The Barn had been operating at 75% occupancy level but now is reduced to groups of 25 people or less. A few meetings are scheduled at the Barn but most customers have been shying away from gatherings. Hundreds of dollars have been refunded to customers for rental cancelations. Pavilion reservations are steady but nothing closed to the normal operational schedule.
• Yappy hour has been canceled for August as well as participating business partners. Safety is the primary concern at this time.
• The Lisburn Fair will operate as drive-through only this year for carnival food.

Phil Broder, 3452 Lisburn Road, spoke about using the Dog Park and Lower Allen Community Park daily. He said that a lot more people are using the parks and the parking situation is insane. He feels that boating traffic is worse due to people not being allowed to put in their boats at Messiah College, as well as less people going on vacations or enjoying other forms of entertainment. He is hoping it is a temporary situation and wondered if it would be possible to paint some lines with spray paint to maximize parking in the gravel parking lot. Mr. Broder also credited Township Park staff and Mr. Stambaugh for communicating with him and addressing issues that have come up. Mr. Mahon agreed that staff do an excellent job maintaining the parks. Mr. Duncanson noted that conditions at the dog park have improved on the park tours.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Arcona Recreation Recommendations

Mr. Mahon said that recommendations for recreation opportunities at Arcona need to be finalized. He said a draft letter has been circulated with comments and discussion from the last meeting. Board members added a few comments. Mr. Grove noted that recreational space donated to the Township should not be in a right-of-way. Mr. Angelo wanted to add a splash park in addition to the pool suggestion. Mr. Mahon asked Mr. Vernau if the letter should be addressed to him and he responded either to him or President Villone.

Park Tour Recap and Identification of Priorities

Mr. Mahon noted that there were notes missing from the last tour and he would like to defer the final recommendations to next month. Mr. Grove said that staff starts budget development in August so a letter should be completed by the September meeting at the latest. Mr. Mahon asked if anyone on the Board had suggestions. Mr. Grove responded that he would like to see a water fountain be installed at Pete’s Field by the pavilion. He said it has been in the budget for several years and the basketball court is heavily used. Mr. Duncanson agreed that it is important as well as lighting for the basketball court like there is at Wass Park.

He also asked Mr. Vernau what the status is with the fun fort at LACP. Mr. Vernau said that the Township has obtained the grant but is waiting for the engineering firm. It should be completed this year.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee

Mr. Vernau provided an update on the upcoming Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee. It has been delayed due to Covid-19 but is now moving forward. He said that the goal of the committee is to decide how to spend money and resources, in the future, for recreation. He is hoping residents will participate and provide input on what types of things they would use for recreation. So far he has six volunteers. Mr. Vernau also invited members of the Rec Board to participate as they are familiar with the Township parks. He is working on a syllabus and hoping to get the meetings started by the end of August. Mr. Vernau said there would not be a lot of meetings, four at the most, and then he would present the results as a report for the Commissioners. Mr. Vernau is advertising the Ad Hoc Committee by way of Facebook, the Township webpage, and an ad in the newsletter. Mr. Angelo asked if the members of the Pedestrian/Bike Committee had been invited and Mr. Vernau said they have been. He also asked Mr. Vernau if the meetings will be held in person. He replied that he is currently planning to do some of the later meetings virtually to increase participation but in person in the beginning.

Pickle Ball Courts

Mr. Vernau said that there is interest in putting in some pickle ball courts and staff have been looking for potential locations. The easiest and least expensive way is to reuse a current tennis court that does not get a lot of use because pickle ball courts are smaller. He said there are tennis courts behind the Pizza Grille that could be used but may need a new surface. There is special textured paint that can be used and would probably cost $300 – $600. Another possibility would be at LACP, Highland Park, or in Beacon Hill. Mr. Duncanson suggested Highland Park because of the gaga pit being installed there recently. Mr. Mahon said that a pickle ball court is already included in the recommendations for Arcona. They will plan to recommend it to the Commissioners in their letter. Mr. Mahon thanked Mr. Vernau for attending the meeting and for his participation.

 

ADJOURN

The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 7:56 pm.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 7:00 pm.