Recreation and Parks Board
2-24-2021 Minutes
MINUTES
RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD: LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING: FEBRUARY 24, 2021
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS: TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL:
Greg Mahon Thomas Vernau, Jr., Township Manager
Susan Parry Helen Grundon, Township Secretary
Richard Grove Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary
Robert Pelles
Scot Duncanson
James Kaiser
Allison Hanna
Mr. Mahon called the February 24, 2021 Zoom Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:00 pm. The meeting was hosted by Township Manager Tom Vernau. Mr. Mahon announced that new board member Allison Hanna was in attendance and requested that Mrs. Grundon swear her in.
SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBER
Township Secretary Helen Grundon administered the oath of office to Ms. Hanna. She said that arrangements would be made for signing the oath at a later date. The Board members all welcomed Ms. Hanna and introduced themselves. Ms. Hanna spoke about running into some members of the Parks and Rec Board on their park tours this past summer which led her to apply to join the Board.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. GROVE moved to approve the minutes from the January 27, 2021 meeting. Mr. PELLES seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Highland Park Playground
Mr. Mahon said that Highland Park Playground is the park of the month. Mrs. Hayden noted in her memo that trash removal and debris cleanup is ongoing as needed.
LIASON REPORT – COMMISSIONER HOLTZMAN
Commissioner Holtzman was not in attendance.
RECREATION AND PARKS STAFF REPORT
Mrs. Hayden was unable to attend the meeting but provided the following Parks Operation Staff update:
- Overgrown trees and brush continue to be removed at the LACP pond. Crews will continue working on this project as time allows.
- The Fun Fort project at LACP was awarded to Kinsley Construction. More information to follow when it is received by the Parks Department. Mr. Vernau added that there is a meeting Friday to discuss demolition. He said that the contractor did not realize this was being done in-house by Township staff and this saves the Township $25,000. A contract adjustment was made.
- Numerous trees and limbs have fallen and have been cleaned up along the Allendale-Beacon Hill trail. Residents are promptly reporting debris and pothole problems, so it is quite apparent that the trail is used often.
- Hayden will be leaving her position at Lower Allen Township on March 5th. A new staff liaison will be appointed starting with the March meeting for the Recreation and Parks Board. Mr. Vernau noted that following the interview process, the choice for Mrs. Hayden’s replacement has been narrowed down to one candidate. He is hoping that the applicant can be appointed at the March 8th Commissioners meeting. In response to Mr. Mahon’s question, Mr. Vernau said that this person would become the new liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board.
ACTIVITIES REPORT
Mrs. Hayden provided the following Activities update for the meeting:
- Most of the Lower Allen field contracts have been executed and the field use schedule booked through the first week of November 2021. Youth and adult league representatives are hopeful for a completed season this year since many competitive sports leagues were canceled in 2020.
- Due to COVID restrictions, which are currently 15% occupancy for outside events, (91 people in the park at one time), the tentative events schedule for the Lower Allen Community Park has been on hold. There currently are not any events to list. The West Shore Recreation Commission is looking to run a puppy training class starting in April of 2021. More information on this tentative class will be forthcoming.
OLD BUSINESS
- Easter Egg Hunt and Gardeners Gathering: In response to Mr. Mahon’s question, Mr. Vernau said that the Township has not discussed these two events but would leave it to the Rec Board’s discretion. He said that the Gardeners Gathering could be safely held by spacing tables far enough apart. He suggested that the Easter Egg hunt could possibly be held in a similar fashion to how Trick or Treat was done with the kids visiting stations. The Board decided that the egg hunt would need to be held on March 27th and discussed options. The overall feeling was that due to having to disinfect eggs, having limited attendance, and lack of time to plan, to cancel the Easter Egg hunt for this year.
The Gardeners Gathering was also discussed. Ms. Parry did not feel that safe social distancing could take place if the plant swap were held. Mr. Mahon asked for suggestions for topics that could be covered at the event. Ms. Parry said that discussions on native plants and pollinators have been popular in the past. She offered to check with the extension office to see if any of the Master Gardeners would be available to talk to a small group. Mr. Vernau suggested contacting the beekeeper who is putting recovery boxes in LACP and Yellow Breeches Park. He said that they are temporarily holding vessels for bees which are then put in hives. The beekeeper could possibly be a speaker for Gardeners Gathering.
Mr. Kaiser suggested postponing the event until Fall in hopes that more restrictions would be lifted by then. Mr. Vernau added that doing the event in the Fall could provide some different perspectives and other planting options than what is presented in the Spring. It would also be a possibility to swap out the Easter Egg hunt for a Halloween pumpkin event. Ms. Parry will get an article into the Township Newsletter announcing the change of events. The Board agreed with this plan and will check on the park schedule for availability in the Fall.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURN
The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board adjourned at 7:41 pm.
The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 7:00 pm.