Forks Holds Off on Skate Park Lease Agreement

The proposal to construct a temporary skate park in Forks Township has been put on the shelf for now.

Supervisors decided to delay approval of a lease agreement with the owner of the Forks Shopping Plaza that would have led to construction of an $82,500 modular structure measuring 45 feet by 110 feet.

The reasons for the delay? Lack of public input and concerns over how long the park would remain at its temporary location.

The proposed lease agreement would cost $250 until Dec. 2012, then would be renewable annually but at the higher cost of $300.

Plans call for the skate park to be temporarily housed at the shopping plaza until the completion of the 52-acre park at Newlins and Richmond roads. According to township Zoning Officer Tim Weis, the skate park could remain at the plaza for three years, then would be relocated to the newly built park.

But several supervisors expressed reservations about voting on the skate park because residents of Old Mill Road and store owners in the shopping plaza had not been able to speak on the matter.

“I guess I would feel a bit better if we knew that they [the residents of Old Mill Road] knew what was happening ... also the merchants in that area of the mall,” said Supervisor Robert Egolf.

“I’m sorry we never noticed the citizens along Old Mill Road,” said Supervisor C. David Howell. “I’m sorry that we never noticed the store owners in Forks Plaza.”

“I did speak with a resident in Old Mill and he was stunned that this happened in one meeting and didn’t know it was coming,” said Supervisor Erik Chuss. 

Chuss said he also spoke with a merchant at the plaza and said the merchant was concerned about skateboarders loitering and asking to use bathrooms.

Both Chuss and Howell also expressed reservations about voting without a permanent five-year recreation plan for the township.

“We don’t even have a plan for our Newlins Road community park,” said Howell. “If there is a plan that will include a skate park, that’s a long way off. That will be in phase three or four of that park.”

A five-year recreation plan was up for approval at Thursday night’s meeting. It will now, however, go back to township Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Sulzbach for further review on what projects could be done this year and suggestions for projects over the next five years, starting in 2012.

Howell, meanwhile, suggested that the township consider a regional skate park. Plans are already under way for a in Easton at Lower Hackett Park. Several municipalities, including Wilson, Palmer and Easton, have signed on to the proposal that is being spearheaded by the Boys and Girls Club of Easton.

According to Dean Young, executive director of the club and the Easton Teen Center, fundraising already has started for the 7,700-square-foot skate park, estimated to cost between $120,000 and $130,000.

So far, $30,000 as well as park plans and the location have been secured, thanks mostly to private donations, he said.

Young said a completion date is based on how quickly donations can be made.

Either way, Forks Township Police Chief Gregory Dorney said something needs to be done.

“We’ve spent a lot of money in repairing things,” he said. “It’s a vicious circle that we need to figure out a solution. The township has to come up with something or this is not going to end.”

Dorney said the police support a skate park.

“We’re giving a place for them to go which will alleviate the problem,” said Dorney.