MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:                           LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING:                                                      AUGUST 26, 2020

 The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 BOARD MEMBERS:                                                          TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:

Greg Mahon                                                                            Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

Susan Parry                                                                            

Richard Grove                                                           

Robert Pelles  

Charles Angelo

 

Mr. Mahon called the August 26, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:05 pm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Yellow Breeches Park

Mr. Mahon mentioned that this park was discussed last month. He was not aware of any additional information regarding the park. Mr. Grove provided an update on the effort to save the Sheepford Road Bridge. He said that there is a joint York and Cumberland County Commissioners meeting planned to discuss the Bridge in September. Mr. Grove said that the Save the Bridge Group is prepared to present their case for its restoration. He said that the Township feels that the bridge needs to be restored to vehicle traffic to be useful. 

 

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: 

• Vegetation control and tree trimming area ongoing at all Township parks.
• Crews replanted the flower beds at the LACP Barn and pulled out the ivy along the CPYSL office area. The area will be left to “rest” for the remaining season and then replanted in spring of 2021 with colorful foliage and perennials.
• Sightings of the Spotted Lanternfly at the Municipal Center and Cedar Spring Run Park have been alarming. Parks crews girdled and cut small saplings of Tree-of-Heaven, which is an exotic invasive tree originally from China. The insects were spotted on the trees and plants and action was taken to destroy their habitat. No other Township parks have reported sightings of Spotted Lanternfly.
• Rotted deck boards were replaced on the Allendale-Beacon Hill Trail. Crews cut a swale in the field area to mitigate flooding.
• Beacon Hill playground was mulched; this had been noted on the parks tours as needing to be done.
• Soil was added to both ballfields at Pete’s Park.
• The water fountain for Pete’s Field has been purchased and is waiting for the Facility Manager to set up installation.

 

ACTIVITIES REPORT

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

• All athletic fields at Pete’s, Wass, and LACP area reserved through the end of the season; Keystone FC Soccer is utilizing all 6 soccer fields at LACP through mid-October.
• The Over 62 League and Women’s Slow Pitch League are currently using the softball fields.
• Cedar Cliff Youth Baseball uses Pete’s fields every day as well as Yetter Field. Cedar Cliff Youth Softball is using field #2 at Wass Park.
• Pavilion rentals have been ongoing. People want to be outside.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Recreation and Parks Board Park Recommendations

Mr. Mahon reviewed the suggestions that the Recreation and Parks Board gathered from their tour of the parks as well as last year’s letter. These are as follow:

• Solar lights at Highland Estates Playground as there currently is no lighting there.
• Installation of Pickle Ball Courts at Beacon Hill, Highland Park, Wass Park or Pete’s Field. A suggestion to save money was that the lines could be painted on existing tennis courts in a different color.
• Replacement of concession stand deck boards at LACP; water is coming from under the deck and pooling; loose boards are also present.
• Addition of sand on the sand volleyball courts.
• Planning and design of a walking path along the perimeter of the LACP.
• Fun fort is in disrepair; a grant was obtained and financing but construction has not begun on it. Due to the Covid shutdown, employees did not have the time to keep up with the maintenance.
• Pavilions could use a good power washing and staining.
• Development of a disc golf course at LACP; the Rec Board is still in favor of the course. Mr. Mahon will get in touch with the gentlemen who suggested it soon to see where they are with plans and financing.
• Development of an area to play Bocce ball was also added to the list.

The following suggestions were removed from the list:

• Replacement of flat seat swings with saddle swings at Allendale Park.
• Improvement to the boat access area at Creekwood Park; Mr. Angelo suggested keeping the area natural due to concerns with creek use this summer in other areas.
• Improvement to the boat access area at the Yellow Breeches Park.
• Construction of a mini theater/sitting area at Cedar Spring Run Park.
• Previous projects from last year which have been completed.

 

Ms. Parry would like to see signs added at the gaga pits and future pickleball courts explaining the rules and how to play. Mr. Angelo suggested signs with QR codes that could be scanned with a phone and would direct people to a website which explains how to play the game.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Parks and Recreation Ad Hoc Committee

Mr. Angelo asked if there had been any updates on the Ad Hoc Committee. Ms. Parry asked why it was necessary and discussion ensued regarding the reasons for having it. The Parks and Recreation Board agreed that they were interested in participating as the two entities overlap each other. Mr. Mahon feels that projects that come from the Committee will make their way to the Parks and Recreation Board like the disc golf plan.

 

Mr. Mahon will finish the recommendations letter and get it submitted to Mr. Vernau.

 

ADJOURN

The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 8:04 pm.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 7:00 pm.