MINUTES

RECREATION AND PARKS BOARD:	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	March 27, 2024
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS	TOWNSHIP PEPRSONNEL
Greg Mahon, Chair	Helen Grundon, Administrative Assistant
Scott Duncanson, Vice Chair	Tom Stambaugh, Parks Operation Supervisor
Lauren Casselberry	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary
Rick Grove
Susan Parry	LIAISON
Megan Klenzing	Commissioner Josh Nagy

Chair Mahon called the March 27, 2024 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 28, 2024 Regular Meeting, as amended. Ms. Parry seconded. The motion carried 6-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT – Highland Estates
There was no public comment. Ms. Casselberry reported that several high school students had expressed an interest in pursuing a volunteer project to repaint the pavilion and include some artistic features, and that the students would engage in community fundraising to cover the cost of supplies. Ms. Grundon confirmed that any proposal would require approval by the township management. Mr. Stambaugh also noted the existence of a future to fully replace the pavilion. Ms. Grundon recommended that the students submit a brief proposal letter that details the project and proposed funding, to the township manager and public works director, and the Parks and Recreation Board seeking support for a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners. Members also discussed the suggestion for the neighborhood to formally adopt the park.

Additionally, Ms. Casselberry reported she had received an inquiry and request from residents for the board to consider the installation of dog waste receptacles and bags.

Liaison Report
Commissioner Nagy expressed appreciation to the board and to township staff for their efforts in the planning and operations of the recent egg hunt. He also highlighted the recent work done around the pond at Lower Allen Community Park. Finally, he acknowledged Director Grove’s upcoming retirement and thanked him for his decades of service and noted his gratitude for continued participation on the parks and recreation board.

TOWNSHIP STAFF REPORT
Ms. Grundon presented the Recreation and Parks Staff Report. She noted that the new gazebo at Lower Allen Community Park was expected to arrive the next day and would be installed. The old gazebo will be relocated to the pond area when work in that location is completed.

Trash collection at all parks was completed. GIS work is currently underway at Lower Allen Community Park, which involves the tagging of benches, toys, grills, tables, etc. Storm preparation was completed, and the metal spring toys have been painted. The new counter in the barn was built and installed.

Ms. Grundon also reported the ongoing spring clearing of brush and invasive species, significant work occurring to pull dead trees from the pond, plans to seed and install straw matting around the pond, and eventually a plan to aerate the pond, however that requires a power source which is not currently available. New picnic tables have been assembled and placed on the new concession deck and crews are busy with removing old mulch, edging, and installing new mulch.

Regarding rentals, Ms. Grundon noted that field rental forms had been distributed and a meeting will be held with representatives of all the youth programs to facilitate a coordinated process for field rentals. At LACP, barn rentals are booked through the middle of July and pavilion rentals are coming in slowly. Two new residents signed up for garden plots and there has been an increase in inquiries about the campsites. To conclude her report, Ms. Grundon noted staff were clearing the brush at LACP. She also said that a fallen tree at Beacon Hill had been cleared but it damaged the pavilion roof which needs to be repaired.

Ball and field rental leases are completed with the first games beginning on April 14. Wass Park will be used by Trinity and Cedar Cliff Youth Baseball and Softball. Additionally, West Shore Recreation is holding puppy training and bonsai classes at the Fernlawn Pavilion.

OLD BUSINESS
Chair Mahon recapped the Egg Hunt event, expressing appreciation to Ms. Grundon and all the volunteers. Despite the poor weather, there was a good turnout by the community. Ms. Grundon reviewed a listing of all the organizations who had donated candy and goody bag items, as well as the prizes for the golden egg winners. The group also discussed potential alternatives for distribution of eggs in poor weather, to include putting out few eggs in the beginning for the younger groups. When considering the option of having a rain date, the group consensus was to continue with holding the event rain or shine.

Next, Ms. Grundon provided an update on the Gardeners Gathering. Unfortunately, the garden centers have not been able to confirm representatives to conduct any community education sessions. Ms. Grundon suggested that the event be postponed until fall, perhaps in October, in conjunction with a fall/Halloween festival. Members offered additional ideas, to feature some homesteading activities, a ghost scavenger hunt, and a costume component. Ms. Casselberry offered to organize a session on hobby green housing as well as gardening and houseplants. Ms. Parry suggested a seed exchange. The group agreed to discuss ideas at future meetings.

Lastly, Ms. Grundon reported the status of confirmation of vendors for the September 19 Yappy Hour event. 717 Tacos has committed to the event. Ms. Grundon noted food vendors would be limited to two businesses plus a desert vendor. She will be contacting Members 1^st about a potential sponsorship opportunity. Chair Mahon noted his view that Yappy Hour was a test event for a future brewer’s festival. Ms. Grundon also offered the idea for the board to consider a future wine and cheese paint night event at the barn.

NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Grundon reported that a resident had expressed concerns about cigarette smoking occurring in the dog park and the issue of hot ashes, lit butts disposed of in the mulch potentially causing fires and injury to dogs, as well as possible liability to the township. Members discussed the idea of making the dog park completely non-smoking. The group expressed consensus in their support for this. Ms. Grundon said the dog park rules and regulations could be amended to include this and distributed them to all residents registered for the dog park.

Commissioner Nagy suggested making all township parks non-smoking and indicated his intent to raise it for consideration by the Board of Commissioners.

Ms. Klenzing reported there had recently been additional complaints about the misuse of basketball courts and fighting occurring at Highland Park, and there is ongoing vandalism occurring. Ms. Grundon provided an update on the status of security cameras for the park, which has been delayed. A trail camera had been installed as a temporary measure but was removed in response to a complaint from a resident about surveillance without informing the public.

Ms. Grundon summarized her recent attendance at the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society conference, where she participated in sessions on a variety of topics. She also noted her plan to pursue certification as a parks and recreation professional.

ADJOURN:
The Regular Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Board was adjourned at 8:06 PM. The next meeting will be April 24, 2024 at 7:00 PM.