PARK & RECREATION BOARD
MINUTES – JUNE 14, 2005
The regular meeting of the Park & Recreation Board of
the
Those present:
Park & Recreation Board: David Fritchey, Chairman
Ron Smith, Vice Chairman
John Kuebler, Secretary
Patricia Bunn, Member (joined meeting in progress)
Others: Terry Fedorchak, Township Manager
Donna Liney, Recreation Director
James Majewski, Township Engineer
Absent: Henry Carpenter, Member
Richard Jutkiewicz, Member
Andrew Newbon, Member
Pete Stainthorpe, Supervisor Liaison
UPDATE ON COMMUNITY POOL
Mr. Brad Sharp, Pool Manager, was present and stated membership is up this year. He
reported on the success of the new slides. They have had some saves which is to be expected since it is common for children to overestimate their abilities at the start of
the Pool season. He stated the water is only four feet deep in the slide area and many of the children do not realize that they are able to stand. Mr. Sharp stated they have received a great deal of positive feedback on the slides. Mr. Smith asked if there are children trying to get on the slides who do not meet the height requirement, and
Mr. Sharp stated this has not been a problem. Mr. Fritchey asked if there are problems with people coming down the slides and getting in the way of the swimmers, and Mr. Sharp stated this is not a problem since they have a roped-off area. He has three guards running the slides and all guards have been trained on how to run the slides.
Ms. Bunn joined the meeting at this time.
June 14, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 2 of 5
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Kuebler moved, Mr. Smith seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the
May 10, 2005 Minutes as written.
REVIEW OF SNIPES TRACT
Mr. Fritchey stated they will visit the tract next month on the Road Tour. Ms. Liney
stated Mr. Majewski is present this evening and did revise the Plans to reflect input from the Park & Recreation Board and the public when this was discussed previously.
Mr. Majewski stated they have modified the lay out slightly by relocating the skate park back next to I-95 and making the entrance from Dolington Road right turn in and right tour out only. They have also shown the bikepath all along the perimeter of the site.
This will connect a good portion of the bikepath. They have also shown the trees to be saved. He stated when they go out on the Road Tour,
they will see there is a significant amount of vegetation that will
remain. They have also supplemented this
vegetation with additional plantings to cut down on the noise and the view. From the houses on the other side of
Mr. Fritchey asked the status of the Fire Station. Mr. Fedorchak stated the North Fire
Station is not a dead issue, but there have not been any active discussions between the
Board of Supervisors and the Fire Department for the last nine months. The last
communication they received from the volunteers was that they were going to table it at
this time. They had put it out to bid a second time and were disturbed with the bids they
received. Although they were somewhat lower than the first but, they had removed a
number of items from the original bid. They have decided to step back and wait.
Mr. Fedorchak stated he has not had discussions recently with the Fire Department
members, but feels they will discuss this again at Budget time. He would like to see the
Station remain on the Plan at this time. Ms. Bunn stated the Fire Company does not want
to build a $5 million Fire Station. She stated they were surprised at how expensive
everything was given the need to pay prevailing wage. She feels they want to hold off at
this time to see if prices will come down. She feels they will eventually have to build the
Fire Station.
Mr. Kuebler stated he is in favor of the proposed lay out for the tract. While he
recognizes Chief Coluzzi’s concern with making left turns on
people will make them anyway rather than go all the way around. Mr. Majewski stated
Chief Coluzzi was concerned with the speed limit in this area which is 45 miles per hour.
Mr. Fedorchak stated while this is Chief Coluzzi’s expertise, possibly they could lower
the speed limit. Mr.
Fritchey stated going north on
incline and one of the concerns was people would come over the bridge at a high rate of
speed and hit a car trying to come out. Mr. Fedorchak suggested they move the
June 14, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 3 of 5
entranceway down toward the first entrance into Elm Lowne which would provide a
driver extra time. Mr. Majewski stated he also feels a reduction in the speed limit would
help and that moving the entrance to the south would provide more time to react.
Mr. Majewski was asked for an estimate of the cost to construct the Park as shown, and
Mr. Majewski estimated it to be $2.5 million. This includes one restroom although two
are shown on the Plan. It was agreed that only one restroom would be necessary for a
tract of this size. Mr. Majewski stated two restrooms were shown as an either/or situation
with two possible locations shown. Mr. Majewski stated there has been some discussion
about phasing the project. Mr. Majewski showed on the plan where the current sewer
and water lines are located at the intersection of
stated they could also tap in from the School, but either way it is a long run of sewer and
water and this is a large cost item.
Mr. Smith stated there has been discussion within YMS about the use of artificial turf at
this location. Mr. Smith stated this would enable them to extend play during all types of
weather. He stated there are Grants available for this. There was also discussion about
the use of artificial turf on the fields at
costs are high, but in the long run it would offset costs in terms of maintenance, etc.
Mr. Fritchey stated they will look at the Snipes Tract on the Road Tour and discuss it
again in the fall.
RECREATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Ms. Liney reported that Memorial Park is starting to take shape with the two basketball
courts and sand volleyball courts now in place. The entry road and parking area have
been stoned, and the area planned for soccer fields has been graded and seeded. There
was a pre-bid meeting today for the
opening scheduled for July 12, 2005.
Ms. Liney stated the bikepath resurfacing of the Yardley Hunt loop is essentially
complete. The Township engineer is continuing to work with the contractor on finishing
the housekeeping items of backfilling and leveling along with bike paths which should be
addressed in the next few weeks.
Ms. Liney stated there are a couple of large-scale tournaments on Township property
scheduled this weekend. The annual Art Coleman Memorial Softball Tournament will
begin Thursday morning with a college showcase event and the feature game will take
place Friday at 8:00 p.m. at the Pool field between the Pennsbury Gems and the New
first-class softball. This weekend is also the annual area 3 v 3 qualifying round soccer
June 14, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 4 of 5
tournament at
Disney World, and they have had YMS teams in the past that
have advanced to
Ms. Liney stated the pool function continues in high gear. The new slides appear to be a
tremendous success with a lot of favorable comments and people enjoying them. The
fencing for the slide area queuing is scheduled for installation this week.
Ms. Liney stated she will be planning the Agenda for the annual July Road Tour which
will be held July 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. from the
she be advised of any particular sites Board members would like to see.
There was further discussion on the basketball courts at Memorial Park and if they were
ready for use. Mr. Majewski stated they still have to install the surface. Mr. Fritchey
asked if they will have a ribbon-cutting for this facility. Mr. Fedorchak stated he would
prefer to wait until the
open for public use. Mr. Smith asked about the use of the soccer fields, and
Mr. Majewski stated they could be used in the spring depending on growth.
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORT
Ms. Bunn stated she does not have information on the success of the Hazardous Waste
Collection. Mr. Majewski stated he did go and there was a long line in the afternoon.
Ms. Bunn stated Canal Days has been cancelled because of the destruction of the Canal
from the flood. Ms. Bunn stated the Stormwater Management Seminar was held and
three to four other Townships had representatives in attendance. The EAC is looking to
expand these programs.
LEAGUE LIAISON REPORTS
program. Ms. Liney stated they are getting a lot of calls about the final registration which
is tomorrow night. She stated Pop Warner is asking for a third field because of the
increase in numbers. Traditionally they have permitted them for two fields. Mr. Kuebler
stated the Middle Schools will be making cuts this year for the first time which they feel
will result in higher numbers for Pop Warner. Mr. Kuebler stated he feels they can
squeeze in more games if they are only able to use two fields.
Pennsbury Athletic Association – Mr. Kuebler stated he has heard only positive
comments.
June 14, 2005 Park & Recreation Board – page 5 of 5
Yardley Makefield Soccer Club – Mr. Smith stated their numbers are up. They have
gone to on-line registration which has been well received. The 3 v 3 Tournament will be
held this weekend and most of these will be local teams. Mr. Smith stated the YMS
Explosion Travel Team has won the State cup and are going forward.
Mr. Kuebler stated he feels they should look into the artificial turf to see to what extent it
can be incorporated into the Parks. Mr. Smith stated he feels they should have someone
come in and make a presentation. He stated at the appropriate time, he does know who to
contact.
There being no further business, Mr. Kuebler moved, Mr. Smith seconded, and it was unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John
Kuebler, Secretary