Forks’ Five-Year Recreation Plan Gets Revised

A schedule for Forks Township’s five-year recreation plan could be presented at tomorrow night’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

Township Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Sulzbach is expected to present a schedule for 2011-2015. At the July 7 meeting, supervisors agreed on proposed recreation plans for the remainder of 2011 and authorized Sulzbach to update the schedule for the next four years. Initially, the plan presented was for 2008-2012.

“We have a plan and a lot of that stuff on the plan has been accomplished,” said Sulzbach.

Some of the accomplished items in the 2008-12 plan are:

• Reconditioning of the tennis courts and basketball court at Community Park
• Review and update of the bike path master plan
• Installation of the tot lot and basketball courts at Penn’s Ridge
• Replacement of the outdoor exercise stations at Community Park
• Restrooms at Braden Field
• Plans and feasibility for an amphitheater next to the municipal building
• Re-grade, seed and determine a use for recreation land at College Park
• The master plan for the 52-acre park at Newlins and Richmond roads

The township had planned on having two amphitheaters. One of those -- next to the municipal building -- was voted down by the supervisors last month.

A second proposed amphitheater at the new 52-acre park at Newlins and Richmond roads, is on the agenda for approval at tomorrow night’s meeting.

Remaining to be completed in the 2008-12 plan is:

• A municipal pool
• All-purpose building at Braden Field
• Restrooms at Meco Fields
• Amphitheater construction
• Outdoor ice skating rink
• A feasibility study for a dog park
• A skate board park
• Additional tot lots in the township
• Volleyball courts at Community Park
• Additional basketball courts at Community Park
• Potential uses for Braden Airport Park
• Installation of additional pavilion at Community Park
• Community Park arboretum
• Sleigh riding/tubing park
• Improvements to Community Park

Supervisor Erik Chuss, who has been vocal about the lack of an approved five-year recreation plan, said he was glad that progress had been made.

“This was the most progress we’ve made in at least one year,” said Chuss. “We are fairly close here. We’re getting close to where we need to be from a planning standpoint. I don’t necessarily agree with everything in here, but it’s close.”

Chuss said he would also like to see cost estimates for the various projects since most of the projects in the plan had been discussed in the past.

“It would be nice if we did a rough ballpark figure for every pending item based on experience we have had or knowledge gained or other municipalities,” he said. “Not having the estimated costs assigned to them is like having a wish list at Christmas.”

Supervisor Lilly Gioia agreed.

“Looking at the approximate costs for the various projects would help to determine priority,” she said.

Tomorrow's meeting is set for 7:30pm in the municipal building, 1606 Sullivan Trail.