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Charlestown Township Parks & Recreation Board |
Present
Announcements
The July minutes were approved.
Business
Jenkins Park
Ms. Kelsey Murphy, of Theurkauf Design and Planning, presented 3 conceptual designs for a park on 15 acres off of Valley Hill Road. Designs include 16-20 parking spots with zones for expansion, paved and natural trails, connections to other trails, picnic tables, benches, and a disc golf course. Amenities are interchangeable between each concept.
Plan A (most intensive)
- 8-foot-wide asphalt paths that are paved and therefore, ADA accessible.
- A 5-foot-wide dirt/natural loop around a nature playground.
- Lighter footprint play area.
- Parking in the eastern corner.
- Driveway off of Valley Hill Road near the residence area, reducing the need for clearing trees.
- 2 pavilions, tables, and benches throughout.
- Main focus towards the road under the large trees.
- A natural rain garden for stormwater.
- A pollinator garden.
- Outdoor classroom in the back of park using the steep slope as a theater-style seating area.
- 2 offsite trail connections. One uses an old logging road and one would need easements and coordination with neighboring townships and properties.
- Least impact to trees but the trees that come down are the larger trees near the road.
Plan B
- Parking is across from the existing driveway.
- Picnic area is surrounded by woods.
- A 6-foot-wide asphalt trail of lesser length and also a path that uses porous paving.
- The outdoor classroom is 20 x 40ft and near the parking lot and pollinator garden with electric accessible and appropriate signage.
- Buffer meadow along Valley Hill Road.
- A planted bush maze in the natural playground.
- Has the least amount of paved trail.
- 9-hole disc golf through the woods.
- Also has southeast access to other connectors.
- Trees to be removed would be from woods, not large ones near the road.
Plan C (mixture of A & B)
- 4/10 of an asphalt trail.
- Natural playground is in center of the trail.
- Parking lot is amongst the large trees near the road.
- It is one way in and one way out (like Brightside Farm Park).
- The outside classroom is near a small pavilion with a small loop around a pollinator garden.
- 9-hole disc golf by paths.
- No offsite trail connections are portrayed in one plan in case Township is unable to obtain access.
- Least costly.
- Trees removed would be in the woods, not near road.
Comments were as follows:
Mr. Mount was leaning towards C since it was closest to the original plan. It is the plan with the least impact and has amenities near the road. But he thought all 3 were worth considering.
Ms. Robinson liked the outdoor classroom using the slope and its location being away from parking. She would like to see that feature added to Plan C.
Ms. Estes asked about off-site connectors. They could be in any of these 3 plans. It is up to the townships and property owners to establish easements etc.
Ms. Underhill thought the driveways were not safe in Plan A. Ms. Murphy said since it was a state road, they would defer to the original subdivision plan for access.
Mr. Lawrence said the connectors were important features.
Everyone felt the parking needed to be expandable and not rely on walking on the road to the Longwood school. Some plans include a paved path to the school.
Mr. Pappas felt A and B had dangerous entrances and exits.
Ms. Murphy will return with a revision of C with connectors, change the road access, insert an ADA path, and insert the outdoor classroom.
Budget
Mr. Lawrence will circulate figures for the P&R to review for next year. Maintenance for the new Jenkins Park will be included.
New Board Member
Ms. Stephanie Robinson was welcomed as a new Board Member. The next step is to obtain approval from the Board of Supervisors.
Trails
Mr. Wright had circulated a list of repairs along Charlestown Pickering trail. The overlook will receive caution tape. The potential Eagle Scout did not get back in contact with Mr. Lawrence. Mr. Lawrence will contact Mr. Beyer and Mrs. Beyer. The Horseshoe Trail is closed in a spot due to a dangerous tree that will be taken care of soon. Masks for those under 12 in the park are suggested since 100 COVID cases arising daily in Chester County.
PASC
Mr. Maurer stated that players would be using masks during play, not just on and off the field. He will post the schedule and be sure the Township Office has the details. He asks that the landscaper use the string trimmer around fields #2 and #4, and near the entrance and new landscaping additions. Mr. Lawrence will give the trail steward, Ms. Robinson, the landscaper’s phone number. Mr. Maurer also said the University is not keeping up the parking area and poor conditions exist. When the club is not active, the University is complaining of problems due to the PASC.
The Township still is interested in purchasing that land from the University.
He asked that the dumpsters be moved away from the entrance and P&R Members decided the area also needed a new dog station. Mr. Maurer will talk with Phoenixville Disposal. Fields received overseeding and spot treatments this summer. When the snack stand opens it will only provide prepackaged snacks. Mr. Hubbard will request some new dog stations to replace aging ones.
PMYC
Mr. O’Brien and Ms. Jeanne Schanzenbach thanked the Board of Supervisors for assistance with the new roof. They still have the garage door and windows to repair. The porch was demolished.
Fall flag football is next, and they continue to work with the White Horse Rugby Football Club and Black Bear Lacrosse. All schedules and insurance information will be obtained and forwarded to the Township Office.
These teams will also use COVID suggested restrictions including masks during games. The contractor for portable restrooms will continue providing this service.
Now that almost 300 kids have signed up for flag football the need for safer lighting is increasing. The yearly cost of renting the equipment was estimated at $9,000-$10,000. One of the club members remediated lights and will replace 6 light units on poles with LED bulbs for 2021. These lights will produce less light pollution than what is currently used. A multi-year plan has already been submitted to Mr. Lawrence that adds poles and lights. Mr. Wright will be consulted for both phases.
Brightside Farm Park
Ms. Underhill asked if the report of recommendations had come back from the state. Mr. Lawrence will check on it and Ms. Estes will contact Ms. Armstrong.
Charlestown Day
Charlestown Day planning is coming down to the smaller details.
- The 5k will start at 8 a.m.
- Vendors and games etc. will be spread out, the band is on the backside of the restroom building.
- Mr. Lawrence discussed the possibility of the bounce house being the first to be removed from the lineup if COVID continued at an upward rate. Ms. Robinson stated that she was a Pandemic Safety Officer and discussed her contingencies.
- Mr. Kuhn will open the Mill for the day.
- Many volunteers are coming. Some from the Great Valley Community Center.
- All volunteers will be masked.
Action Items
Ms. Murphy to email Members the 3 concept designs for Jenkins Park.
Coordinate for the Charlestown Day meeting.
Connect with Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Hubbard about lights at Charlestown Park for PMYC.
Adjournment at 9:00 p.m.