Recreation and Parks Board
11/15/23 Minutes
MINUTES
| RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD: | LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP |
| REGULAR MEETING | November 15, 2023 |
| The following were in ATTENDANCE: | |
| BOARD MEMBERS | TOWNSHIP PEPRSONNEL |
| Greg Mahon, Chairman | Helen Grundon, Administrative Assistant |
| Scott Duncanson, Vice Chairman | Tom Stambaugh, Parks Operations Supervisor |
| Rick Grove, Secretary | Commissioner Josh Nagy |
| James Kaiser | |
| Megan Klenzing | |
| Robert Pelles | |
Mr. Mahon called the November 15, 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 October 25, 2023, Regular Meeting, with one correction. Mr. Pelles seconded. The motion carried 6 -0.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Allendale/Creekwood Park
Rick Grove stated that there has been more use of both parks over the last few years. He feels the trail that connects Allendale to the Beacon Hill Development brings a lot more traffic to Creekwood Park.
Liaison Report
Commissioner Nagy stated the Public Works and Park budget was delayed from the October 30th Board of Commissioners meeting to the November 13th meeting. A couple of things that were included are cameras and tennis court resurfacing in Highland Park, but the question is do we have a professional resurfacing or just blacktop the court. It is a $20,000 dollar difference; would it get used more if it done professionally or not. Commissioner Nagy also asked the Township Manager and Director Davis to provide an itemized response to the Rec & Park Boards recommendation letter. Most items on there are just maintenance and do not need to be submitted for the budget.
TOWNSHIP STAFF REPORT
Ms. Grundon shared that the broken slide at Cedar Spring Run Park has been replaced, and the small pavilion is being installed. There has been a lot of tree and brush trimming happening in all the parks. The bridge at Creekwood Park has been repaired and the Pavilion at Highland Park was pressured washed. At Lower Allen Community Park, the concession stand deck is complete, including the railing.
Ms. Grundon said that rentals have slowed down, especially for Pavilion rentals, but the barn is booked till the end of the year. Ms. Grundon said that at this time she has about 40 to 45 rental holds for 2024. Township Staff has just started to put together the 2024 Fee Schedule. Ms. Grundon and Director Davis had a meeting regarding Park Fees. They recommend not increasing the Barn or Pavilion rental fees. They do recommend increasing the Field rental fees, they are suggesting that it follows the Barn rental fees. If an organization would like to rent it for five (5) hours or less it is one fee, and if it is five (5) hours or more it is double. They also recommended the security deposits be increased for field rentals, the amount that is requested at this time is $30, that is not enough to cover anything that might need to be replaced or repaired.
As for the Barn, keys are no longer needed to gain access for rentals. Keypads have been installed at the far-right door, the lower-level access, and the upper-level access. If a renter is renting the upper, they will only have access to that, the keypad to the lower level will not accept their code. Ms. Grundon can get the times for access based on their rental times, they cannot gain access before or after their rental when their code is timed out.
OLD BUSINESS
Rec & Park Members discussed the letter of support to be submitted on behalf of United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA for their request to donate a bench to be placed in Lower Allen Community Park. This letter will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners with UCP of Central Pa donation letter. Chairperson Mahon would like to make a few changes to the letter before it is submitted to the Board of Commissioners.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Grundon presented the 2024 Rec & Park Meeting dates, and the 2024 Rec & Park Event dates. For the Gardeners Gathering we will need to start brainstorming on what workshops and/or presentations that we want to hold. Ms. Grundon will reach out to Hershey Company for candy, along with Members 1st and Dave & Busters for participating at the Easter Egg Hunt.
Rec & Park Board Members all thanked Robert Pelles for all his years of dedication and time that he gave to the Township and to the Residents of Lower Allen Township.
ADJOURN:
The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board was adjourned at 7:41 PM. The next meeting will be January 24, 2024.