Palmer On Board with Regional Skate Park Plan

Palmer Township supervisors say they are in line with the idea of a regional skate park. The only question is: How much would the municipality possibly have to contribute?

With a regional skate park concept in Easton having been pitched at the Two Rivers Council of Governments meeting last month, supervisors passed a resolution endorsing the planned park at their July 26 meeting. Not present was Supervisor Robert Smith.

“I think that we all have problems with the skateboarders trying their sport in places they shouldn’t be trying their sport,” said Supervisor Robert Lammi.

“The demographics of skateboarders is a little older – teenagers,” said Supervisor Ann-Marie Panella. “If they have something to do they will stay out of trouble.”

The proposed 7,700-square-foot concrete park would be located at Lower Hackett Park. Liability would be Easton’s responsibility because the park is in the city.

Municipalities involved in the regional skate park would be Easton, the townships of Forks, Palmer and Williams and the boroughs of West Easton, Glendon and Wilson.

The Forks supervisors have placed a resolution to endorse the skate park on the agenda for their meeting Thursday. In July, Forks tabled a proposal to construct its own modular skate park at the Forks Shopping Plaza on Old Mill Road.

The regional skate park would be accessible by bus. The municipal bicycle path that links Palmer and Forks is still under way and, according to the supervisors, will eventually connect with Easton as another means to get to the skate park.

At the July 26 Palmer meeting, Supervisor David Colver said there are still several things to consider, including how much of a contribution would be needed to maintain the park, the frequency of contributions  and which municipal department from which the funds would come.

“Somehow this thing is going to have to be subsidized each year so there needs to be some sort of a slush fund or maintenance fund,” said Colver.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto has suggested that contributions be based on population, with Easton contributing the lion's share at approximately $66,000. Palmer and Forks would contribute $42,600 and $21,000, respectively, under Panto's suggestion.

“I think we have to have a little foresight with that,” Colver said. “We most likely will be looking for a grant to pay for some of the park itself, then that would be deducted from the contribution if the municipalities choose to participate,” he added.

In recent years, state government has looked favorably on regional proposals, Lammi said.