MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	MARCH 22, 2023
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Gregory Mahon, Chair	Thomas Stambaugh, Parks Operations Supervisor
Scott Duncanson, Vice-Chair	Helen Grundon, Administrative Assistant & Event Coordinator
Robert Pelles	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary
Susan Parry	Commissioner Joshua Nagy
Megan Klenzing

Mr. Mahon called the March 22, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Lower Allen Township Recreation and Parks Board to order at 7:00 pm.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Ms. Klenzing motioned to approve the minutes from the February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting. Mr. Pelles seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT – Highland Estates
Ms. Grundon provided an update on the park, noting installation of a new play structure along with wood carpet. A double bay swing set was installed and will also have wood carpet added.

Next, Ms. Grundon discussed the pocket park picnic, scheduled for May 20, 2023 from 11 am to 3 pm. She reported a meeting with neighborhood resident, Lauren Castleberry to coordinate planning for the event. Lunch, to include hot dogs, will be served. EMS has committed to attend. The streets at Kent and 19^th will be closed. She has inquired with several local businesses to determine their interest in sponsoring as well as local youth organizations to invite them to participate and set up information tables.

Mr. Phil Broder, resident of 3452 Lisburn Road, expressed thanks for the township efforts to complete maintenance work and make improvements at the dog park at Lower Allen Community Park.

Ms. Kelly Sangry, resident of 2228 Orchard Road, inquired about the comprehensive plan, and when the Gettysburg Road Corridor plan redesign would begin to be implemented. She noted her family’s interest in biking and the lack of safe bike paths and walkways along the corridor.

Ms. Grundon replied that the implementation of the plan falls within the purview of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Nagy explained that implementation of the goal is piecemeal as redevelopment occurs along that area. The plan is a vision, and all redevelopment is subject to funding and outside agency approval.

Mr. Mahon noted that connectivity and walkability are significant priorities for the township, and particularly for the Recreation and Parks Board.

COMMISSIONER LIAISON REPORT
Commissioner Nagy reported on recent action by the Board of Commissioners to approve the Beacon Hill Radar Site proposal and gave direction to pursue funding for phase one of the program. The township is seeking grant funding from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

TOWNSHIP STAFF REPORT
Ms. Grundon presented the Recreation and Parks Staff Report. She noted that baseball field maintenance and preparation had begun. Barn and pavilion rentals are ongoing and filled through mid-July. She also noted an uptick in camping reservations. Finally, she briefly described the new process for dog registration and verification for vaccination documentation.

OLD BUSINESS
Easter Egg Hunt
Ms. Grundon noted that Cargill employees were volunteering to help fill eggs and goodie bags. Hershey and Cargill were donating candy. Other attempts at donations have been unsuccessful. She also said she was still looking for a volunteer to dress as the Easter Bunny. Volunteers were also lined up to clean up following the event. Volunteers will meet at 8:30 at the barn.

Gardeners Gathering Update
Ms. Grundon referenced the flyer for the event which is planned for April 29, 2023 beginning at 10 AM at Lower Allen Community Park. She reported that the barrels and supplies had been received, were being stored at the public works facility and barrels would be prepared with stickers for the event. Promotion of the event had begun, and registration was forthcoming. Barbara Arnold, Environmental Coordinator was leading the educational event. Participant costs are $15 per person, which is offset by a grant received by the township. Ms. Grundon also noted Lowes had provided $50 for supplies. Black Landscaping is also donating items. Ms. Parry noted she would visit Highland Gardens, Ashcombe’s and Royers with sponsorship requests. The event will also include the plant swap and the foraging workshop. Participants for the barrel workshop are limited to 25 registrations for township residents.

Adopt-A-Park
Ms. Grundon reported that the Board of Commissioners had approved the Barton & Loguidice for the Adopt-A-Park program. Representatives will attend the July park tour meeting. They have committed to helping with the egg hunt clean up and the gardeners gathering. She will inquire about their availability to assist with Yappy Hour. Mr. Mahon asked if they were being requested to do any major projects for the park. Ms. Grundon noted that projects must be approved by the Board, but that clearing and thinning the pond area was a possibility. Projects can also be suggested for them.

Yappy Hour Flyer
Ms. Grundon noted that she had begun outreach to various food trucks and vendors and would include an event flyer in that outreach effort. She requested approval of the flyer by the board members, who all expressed their support for the flyer as presented. Ms. Grundon noted that she plans to begin planning efforts early to ensure positive participation for a successful event.

NEW BUSINESS
Adopt-A-Park Rules and Regulations
Board members will review the draft and discuss it at the next meeting.

Dog Park Registrations Cards
Ms. Grundon introduced the topic for discussion, explaining the goal was to implement a simplified process to ensure dogs were registered and properly vaccinated without having to go so far as to having to charge residents to use the park. She noted that residents are limited to three dogs per owner/handler and that dogs must be spayed/neutered, properly licensed, vaccinated and must have a signed rules and regulations agreement on file with the township. The purpose for all of this is assurance of health and public safety for the dogs and township residents. Residents will be issued registration cards once all requirements are verified. Township staff will be intermittently checking for proof of registration.

Members discussed the need for a registration process that can be accomplished digitally using the township website. The township has plans for a redesigned website, and the dog registration process should be included in that project.

Township resident, Mr. Phil Broder, expressed the need to provide multiple cards to residents. He also summarized some of the questions and concerns raised by frequent users of the dog park, including methods of enforcement and access to register online. He also suggested the formation of a dog park working group, something like the former “Parks for Pooches” group.

Mr. Mahon noted appreciation to Mr. Broder for his participation and advocacy on behalf of the dog park users. He noted that residents are always welcome to attend the Recreation and Parks Board meetings, and that potential consideration could be given to a mini adopt a dog park program, or some kind of advisory group.

Mr. Broder asked whether enforcement efforts by township personnel was possible. Ms. Grundon noted that the rules and regulations are based on township ordinance, which are enforceable by public safety, but that officers are unavailable to be assigned there daily. Ms. Parry noted that ultimately, the rules must be self-policed, and that a group could be self-created by the users and self-monitored.

Commissioner Nagy noted that the Recreation and Parks Board serves as an advisory board to the Board of Commissioners and supported Mr. Mahon’s suggestion that interested users attend the meeting on a regular basis to provide feedback.

Ms. Parry suggested posting a sign by the dog park with a list of Recreation and Parks Board meeting dates.

Ms. Mahon noted that the Recreation and Parks Board would be meeting at LACP for their annual walk through at 6 PM on June 28^th and could consider meeting with dog park users at that time.

Pickle Ball Courts
Ms. Grundon referenced an item that had been included in the meeting packet, an email from a township resident related to pickleball court availability and regulation of such. There was some discussion about ideas on how to set limits and posting signs. The township might consider court rentals at LACP for those interested in scheduling tournaments or league play. Ms. Grundon noted that she would reach out to the resident and inquire for further details. Mr. Mahon expressed his support for building additional pickleball courts in the township.

Barn Rental Alcohol Policy
Mr. Mahon introduced the topic for discussion, noting the issue was brought up in a conversation with a resident who inquired about the rule limiting alcohol to the boundaries of the barn and patio foundation, prohibiting it from being carried out into the grass and game areas and gazebo. Ms. Grundon replied that the purpose of the rule is for public safety and the limitation of having only one Community Service Officer on site. There are no exceptions made. Any rules changes must be approved by the Board of Commissioners and subject to approval by public safety.

ADJOURN:
The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board was Adjourned at 8:14 PM.

The next meeting will be April 26, 2023 at 7:00PM.