Section 1 – Agency Authority, Role, and Responsibility

CAPRA Self-Assessment

1.1 – Source of Authority

Standard:
The source of agency authority or legal basis of operation and the extent of powers shall be identified in a legal document such as the state statute, local charter, city ordinance, or park district code.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township is a second class Township in Pennsylvania. Townships are classified based on size and population. Article two of 1933 Act 69¹ states “Townships of the first class are those having a population of at least three hundred inhabitants to the square mile, which are now established as townships of the first class, or which may be created townships of the first class under laws relating to townships of the first class. All townships that are not townships of the first class or home rule townships are townships of the second class.”

This document also outlines the ability of the Elected officials to designate a Recreation Advisory Board², which the BOS did by ordinance No. 76³ in 1961. This can be found in Township Code 31-64 “The Park and Recreation Board shall assist the Township Supervisors in planning, laying out and maintaining parks, recreation facilities and programs, recommending to the Board of Supervisors such plans and provisions as it deems necessary and indicating the cost of such to the Supervisors so that they may be prepared to allow for such program in the budget of each succeeding year for equipment, maintenance and personnel for such program. The Park and Recreation Board shall have the full assistance, advice and cooperation of the Township Manager and staff and of the other boards, commissions, and agencies of the township. The Board shall work whenever possible with the school authorities.”

The Park and Recreation Advisory Board advises the Board of Supervisors who ultimately make the final decisions about the Township.

The Township Elected officials, the Board of Supervisors, Duties are outlined in Section 6075 in The Second Class Township Code.

Supporting Documents:

• 1933 Act 69 Section 2204
• Ordinance No. 76
• Township Code 31-6
• Section 607

1.1.1 – Approving Authority/Policy Body

Standard:
The agency organizational structure shall provide for one public entity responsible for policy-making functions. This entity usually has taxing power and must approve the budget; it holds title to property. It also serves an important function in providing input to improve and expand park and recreation programs, services, and facilities.

Narrative:
The Township of Makefield was founded in 1692 when Buck County appointed a grand jury to divide the county into townships. The original five townships were: Bensalem, Bristol, Falls, Makefield and Middletown. In 1737, a realignment of Makefield boundaries divided it into Upper and Lower Makefield. The original 1933 Second Class Township Code outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Township Board of Supervisors: Act of May 1, 1933,P.L. 103, No. 69 Cl. 73 – “SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE, THE” (state.pa.us)

Supporting Documents:
Section 201. Classification of Townships.–The townships now in existence and those to be created after this act takes effect are divided into two classes, townships of the first class and townships of the second class.

Lower Makefield was incorporated separately from Upper Makefield in 1737. Incorporation Dates for Pennsylvania Municipalities : Pennsylvania. Department of Internal Affairs. Bureau of Municipal Affairs. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

1.1.2 – Citizen Advisory Boards / Committees

Standard:
The agency organizational structure shall provide for one public entity responsible for policy-making functions. This entity usually has taxing power and must approve the budget; it holds title to property. It also serves an important function in providing input to improve and expand park and recreation programs, services, and facilities.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township has a number of Boards and Commissions that all impact the Parks and Recreation Department in one way or another. The Parks and Recreation Director is responsible for reporting to these Boards for joint projects. Boards will meet jointly when projects require insight and recommendations from two interested boards. An example of this would be when the Parks and Recreation Board collaborated with the Disability Advisory Board to recommend the Parks and Recreation ADA Transition plan to the Board of Supervisors. During this meeting both boards collaborated to streamline the decision making process.

The 2023 Boards most frequently involved with Parks and Recreation are:

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (7 year terms):
Chair – Douglas Krauss
Vice Chair – Michael D. Brody
Secretary – Kim Rock
Member – Dennis Wysocki
Member – David Malinowski
Member – Robert G. LaBar
Member – Michael Blundi
Supervisor Liaison – Fred Weiss

Environmental Advisory Council:
Alan Dresser – Co-Chair
Matt Farrell – Co-Chair
Linda Salvati – Member
Kevin Gallen – Member
Paul Roden – Member
Soumya Dharmavaram – Member
Jim Bray – Member
Dan Grenier – Supervisor Liaison

Disability Advisory Board:
Lisa Huchler – Chairperson
Michele Williams – Vice Chairperson
Cynthia Lang – Member
Member – Vacancy
Member – Vacancy
John Lewis, Supervisor Liaison

Citizens Traffic:
Chair – Arthur Cohn
Secretary – Catherine Calabria
Member – Kevin Treiber
Member – Pam Kravitz
Member – Vacancy
Member – Vacancy
Member – Vacancy
Liaison – Dan Grenier

Special Events Committee:
Kim Rhoades – Member
Cynthia Borda – Member
John DiPasquale III – Member
Vacancy – Member
Supervisor Liaison – James McCartney

Evidence of Compliance:

1.2 – Periodic Timetable for Review of Documents

Standard:
All documents designated for periodic review shall be reviewed on a regular basis according to an established agency review schedule. For example, if the agency has determined that a document should be reviewed annually, the agency shall provide evidence that the document is reviewed annually and include a copy of the most recent annual review. Several standards in the accreditation process require that adopted plans, policies and procedures be reviewed and updated at various intervals. In those cases, the agency shall provide evidence that the document was reviewed and updated pursuant to the period specified in the standard.

Narrative:
While completing the CAPRA process it was recognized that many of these documents were not in place. Some of the documents are brand new, while some documents were completed 20 years ago and are just now being updated.

Lower Makefield Township continues to improve this process as part of the commitment to the CAPRA process.

1.2.1 – Document Approval Authority

Standard:
All documents designated for approval by the appropriate approving authority shall be approved or adopted in a manner consistent with the agency process and procedure for adoption of policies, rules, regulations, and operational procedures, except that the agency budget and park and recreation system master plan must be adopted or approved by the entity responsible for policy-making.

The Vision was changed to Play for All as part of the Play for All Strategic and Master Plan.

Supporting Documents:

1.3 – Jurisdiction

Standard:
The specific geographical boundaries of the agency’s jurisdiction shall be set forth by geographical description and map.

Narrative:
The Township Map delineates Parks and Recreation areas.

Supporting Documents:

1.4 – Mission

Standard:
There shall be an established mission statement that defines the direction and purpose of the agency. The agency mission is the purpose or reason for the existence of the agency and establishes the long-term direction for the agency services and activities.

HEALTH: Improve physical health, mental health, and overall quality of life by offering safe and accessible facilities and open space.

ENVIRONMENT: Act as environmental stewards through responsible use of the natural environment and protect and maintain Parks and Recreation assets.

COMMUNITY: Create opportunities for the community to connect through a wide variety of partnerships, programs, events, and classes.

1.4.1 – Agency Goals and Objectives

Standard:
There shall be established, measurable goals and objectives for the agency and for each organizational component within the agency. Such goals and objectives shall be directed toward accomplishing the agency mission, be reviewed periodically, and distributed to all appropriate personnel.

Narrative:
Future park and recreation plans are guided by goals outlined in the 1997 action plan and reiterated in the Township Master Plan. The Township recently completed a community needs assessment which set new priorities for the Township. This planning process is still being reviewed by the Board of Supervisors and the Park and Recreation Advisory Board prior to adoption.

At this time it does not appear that the goals will shift tremendously but the needs of the Township have shifted so more direct SMART goals are necessary to consider.

Per the 1997 Plan and the 2019 Master Plan specific programs and activities are subject to the financial capability of the Township.

1. Provide adequate parkland to meet the needs of the township based on complete build-out of the community.
2. Protect treasured natural resources.
3. Provide a balance of active and passive recreation facilities to meet the needs of citizens of all ages and interests.
4. Offer recreation programs and services that enrich the lives of citizens.

Objectives:

1. Addressing changing needs—The township should continue to be open to new suggestions and ideas in planning for recreational programs and facilities. New ideas should be considered based on the needs and wishes of township residents.

2. Natural resource protection—A variety of measures may be undertaken to coordinate natural resource protection with recreation planning. They include preparation of a site and management plan for Five Mile Woods; acquisition of greenway land and land with natural resources located next to parks; adherence to natural resource protection ordinances; and coordination of township planning with related regional planning.

The possibility for coordination and enhancement of park and recreation land along the canal and the river exists through the proposal for the Falls of the Delaware Park. Located to the south of Yardley Borough, this regional park will provide river access from the Delaware Canal State Park. The county has acquired 176 acres for this park; the township owns 38 acres.

3. Facility needs—The township should pay particular attention to the needs of organized sports groups as recreation facilities are designed, and continue its efforts to complete the pathway/trail system.

4. Year-round recreation opportunities—The township’s 1997 Park and Recreation Action Plan Update recommends exploration of ways to expand year-round recreation programming. This would require the use of gyms and other indoor space. The township completed construction on the community center in 2017, and started programming of the facility.

5. Facilities maintenance—Growth in facilities brings increased maintenance responsibilities. Outsourcing of selected maintenance work and preparation of maintenance impact statements for new facilities or improvements are among the methods of providing and budgeting for ongoing maintenance.

6. “Pocket parks”—Encourage provision of recreation land in residential developments that are not close to existing parks.” (Lower Makefield Master Plan Update)

The Parks and Recreation Department Goals were refined as part of the Recently Approved Play for All Master and Strategic Plan. The goals take in account the goals within the Township Master Plan. Final Play for All Plan

Goals are listed

Supporting Documents:

1.4.2 – Personnel Involvement

Standard:
The agency shall have an established process for acquiring and considering input from personnel at various levels of the organization in the development of goals and objectives.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township has a relatively small staff the Department had rely heavily on volunteers, interns and staff from other departments. It was the Department strategy to assign staff to their area of interest and to consult with each other for assistance during team meetings. The Department also used Parks and Recreation college student feedback in some areas and students in other disciplines like Risk Management in others. When staff started this process the Department had four full time administrative staff now there are six. Everyone had an opportunity to participate in the process and our management team all compiled their own documents for which they would be responsible to enforce.

Parks and Recreation:

• Monica Tierney, Director of Parks and Recreation All Sections
• Lynn Todd, Operations Manager Section 4, 7, 9
• Kathy Howell, Membership Coordinator, Editor All Sections

Supporting Township Staff

• Chief of Police and Detective Sergeant Olner Assisted and provided feedback with section 8, 9
• Jim Majewski, Director of Community Development Section 2, 7, 10
• Greg Hucklebridge, Public Works Director Section 7, 10
• Kurt Furgeson, Township Manager Section 4, 5 and 10

Evidence of Compliance:

1.5 – Vision

Standard:
The agency shall provide an adopted Vision Statement that is inspirational, far reaching, and states where the agency is going. It should be available to the approving authority, staff, and participants.

Narrative:
The Play for All Plan shifted the vision of the Parks and Recreation Department to “Play for All” the approval of this document was 6/1/22. the meeting minutes have not been approved at the time of submission, attach the recording secretary cliff notes for the meeting.

Evidence of Compliance:

1.6 – Policies, Rules, Regulations, and Operational Procedures

Standard:
There shall be delegation of responsibilities for the policy-making functions of the approving authority and the administrative functions of the chief administrator and staff.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township is required to follow rules and regulations set forth by the State and the Board of Supervisors by way of ordinance. Chapter one of the Township Code outlines general provisions of the adoption of Township Code.

Supporting Documents:

• Chapter one, Township Code
• Township of Lower Makefield, PA Manager (ecode360.com) Chapter 23, Duties of the Township Manager
• Park & Recreation Policy Approval – BOS Meeting Minutes, 2-16-2022
• Park Board Policy Recommendations – Park Board Meeting Minutes, 11-9-2021
• Park Board Policy Discussion – Park Board Meeting Minutes, 1-12-2021
• Emails Between Staff And Boards
  Regarding the policy review of the Marketing and Community Relations Plan
• Marketing And Community Relations Plan
• Seasonal Staff Training Outline And Attendance

1.7 – Agency Relationships

Parks and Recreation Staff Liaison Responsibilities

Monica
9/11 Garden of Reflection Endowment
All Possible Partners
Disability Advisory Board
Environmental Advisory Council
Friends of Five Mile Woods
Lower Makefield Seniors
Lower Makefield Football Association
Neighboring Municipalities
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Pennsbury Athletic Association
Pennsbury School District
Pennsbury Tournament
Veterans Foundation
Yardley Makefield Soccer
Yardley Makefield Tennis

Caitlin
Instructor/Contractors
Lower Makefield Swim and Dive Teams

Kathy
Non Profits
Sponsors
Vendors

Evidence of Compliance:

1.7.1 – Operational Coordination and Cooperation Agreements

Standard:
There shall be established agreements with other agencies, organizations, or individuals that entail cooperative use and maintenance of facilities, programming, facility design, land development, finances, etc.

Narrative:
Lower Makefield Township Parks and Recreation Department prides itself in partnering with other community agencies in order to broaden its offerings and provide better amenities.

Evidence of Compliance: