Politics & Government

Palmer Creates Recreation Department

Dan McKinney, who heads the Charles Chrin Community Center, will oversee Palmer Township's new parks and recreation department.

All under one roof.

That was the thinking behind Palmer Township officials creating a township department of parks and recreation.

The Palmer Township Board of Supervisors voted to establish the department at a recent meeting and then appoint Dan McKinney, who oversees the Charles Chrin Community Center, as the head of it.

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"It's all under one person," Supervisor Ann-Marie Panella said. "It's always been spotty. This makes more sense. He's the expert. He has a lot of heavy-duty experience and he's a very organized person."

The new department will oversee the community center, municipal pool, bike path, the township's fields and athletic complex and 16 parks, Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver said.

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Colver said McKinney is getting a $7,000 bump that will push his salary to $73,500.

"We've gotten by without a department for so many years," Colver said. "We felt we needed one central person to handle things every day. Dan is the perfect guy for the job."

Township officials said McKinney's position won't be replaced, just that his duties will be combined into the new post.

McKinney, who has worked for Palmer Township for the past five years, has a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation management and a master's degree in community recreation administration.


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