NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A new North Whitehall Township plan that considers building a skate park, amphitheater, disc golf, splash pads and more as outdoors activities increase got township supervisors' approval Monday.
- North Whitehall Township supervisors approved an updated Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan on Monday
- The plan takes into account changing perceptions of outdoor recreation in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and growing population
- Action items include expanding walking paths and expanding recreation activities and opportunities
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, introduced last month, acts as an update and reimagining of the prior plan adopted in 2009.
It notes changes in perception since the last plan, with outdoor recreation now seen by many as an essential service in the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The plan is a result of months of planning using public surveys and open house meetings, alongside development by a township study committee, as well as projections of township demographics anticipating continued growth.
It also references various planning guides already established for the region, such as the Pa. State Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Future LV Regional Plan by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the Lehigh County Livable Landscapes plan and the Lehigh Valley Greenways plan.
Skate park, amphitheater, disc golf, splash pads
Supervisors recently adopted the township’s newly revised Comprehensive Plan, which examined many more aspects of township operations, including housing, transportation, infrastructure, preservation and zoning.
In the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, many parks in the township were given potential changes and renderings of what some of those could look like.
Neffs Valley and Johnson's Pond parks were singled out as in need of upgrades and repairs. Because Independence Park is the only township park with water and electricity, the plan also acknowledged that holding events at township parks will be limited until utility services are expanded.
Concept plans were created for each township park, guided by residents' desires for wildlife support areas and outdoor racket court sports such as pickleball.
Many parks' plans list expanding the number of pavilions and/or nature trails.
Some courts already are on the way to being installed in Laurys Firehouse Park, which Township Manager Randy Cope said is on track for construction to begin in early May or late June.
More proposals include a BMX park at Independence Park, a skate park and amphitheater at Levans Park, a disc golf course at Johnson's Pond Park and splash pads at Kolapechka Park.
'Kind of a general plan'
During the public hearing part of Monday's meeting, resident Diana Celmer voiced concern over the proposed location for the envisioned skate park at Levans Park.
Township administrators tried to assuage concerns, saying there would be more public involvement before breaking ground on any major projects listed, and the document is meant for concepts and envisioning rather than as a binding agreement.
"It's kind of a general plan," Supervisor Al Geosits said. "I think we're going to look at the parks one by one as we go in the coming years.
"If we would do everything, and I don't know if we even have the money for a quarter, or half of that" right now.
The plan also provided guidance for the township to maintain land as open space — which other municipalities have taken similar steps to do with farmland and non-developed land.
Priority actions identified include:
- Developing a Master Site Plan for Neffs Valley Park
- Creating a multi-use trail connection between Municipal and Levans Parks
- Exploring potential to buy scrap yard property on Sand Spring Road and Chuck Wagon Drive In property on Mauch Chunk Road
- Raising recreation development fees to be competitive with those of adjoining municipalities
"I think we're going to look at the parks one by one as we go in the coming years"Township Supervisor Al Geosits
Other action identified in the plan include:
- Buying more land for recreation purposes, and preserving a to-be-established percentage of township land as open space
- Planning new recreation facilities based on resident demand and anticipated population growth
- Protecting natural resources and habitats while promoting sustainability in facility design
- Protecting park visitors from climate extremes via means such as shade and water access.
- Develop a list of new programs that can be adequately staffed with existing resources and establishing different participation levels for township recreation activities
- Strengthening walkability between township villages and creating a map of safest alternative transportation routes
Read the full plan here:
