Park & Recreation Board

Park and Recreation Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, October 1, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Present: Gary Harris, James Lannon, Robert Huether, Doreen McVaugh, Molly Crotty, Matt Reece, Liz Wyckoff (via Zoom), Borough Manager John Davis, and Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Caitlin Hernandez. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes from the June 4, 2024 meeting were approved. Chris Blackway, the owner of Nomad Supply, presented a Skate Park proposal. The request is for a skate park in the grassy oval at Chapman Park. A petition was passed around, collecting 852 signatures. Molly Crotty and James Lannon asked about fundraising and how the cost of the park would be funded. This is a grassroots effort to finance and build a park that will be open to the public and allow for more extended hours than currently available at the YMCA skate park. Jesse Clayton of Bridle Drive in Langhorne spoke and wanted to know if the Borough can hold the money in an account to allow for tax deduction to the people making donations. Mr. Clayton also suggested DCNR grants as an option for funding. Matt Reece agreed the park is underutilized. There was a substantial public turnout in support of the Borough’s consideration for a skate park. James explained to the group that the Park and Recreation Board is tasked with recommending or not recommending the plans and options for a Skate Park. John thanked the group for their presentation and passion. John offered some challenges they may face throughout the process that should be considered. Caitlin provided the Park Tour Follow-Up. The group saw the tennis courts at Neis and then went down to Hillside Park to consider pickleball. At Broad Commons, the picnic tables were discussed. There are some ideas for programming additional concerts at Broad Commons. Concerning concerts in Broad Commons, the Board needs to consider what sort of concerts they want to be held, such as what the Township does in Central Park with a series of cover bands throughout the summer or something more acoustic. The Bike/Hike Report has nothing new. However, a bike safety program is coming to Linden in the fall or spring of this school year. Caitlin gave the Recreation Director Report. The aerator was repaired in the dam, but it seems to have broken again. War Memorial has new LED lighting on the basketball courts. The bocce courts are on deck for Wood Street Park. The volleyball courts are currently under construction at Chapman to extend the courts and create a system to make raising and lowering the nets easier. Caitlin also shared the numbers for the programs the Parks and Recreation Department offers. James gave the Comprehensive Plan Update. The Plan is rapidly wrapping up. James provided copies of the draft to the board members. Recreation is one of the themes discussed within the Comp Plan. Old/New Business None There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:46 pm. Respectively Submitted by Erika Fellman Parks and Recreation Minutes Secretary