Banners proposed for Washington Crossing

ommission wants to add streetscape banners along General Washington Memorial Boulevard in the Washington Crossing section of the township.

Still, Upper Makefield’s Board of Supervisors wants some public feedback and questions answered before committing to the purchase.

The topic came up at the board’s Feb. 18th public meeting.

Township Manager David Nyman said the banners would welcome people to Upper Makefield and bear the names of various historic villages that exist in the township.

“The intention would be to enhance and beautify the streetscape,” said Nyman, noting the banners would be made of heavy canvas and mounted using brackets.

An example of a banner he displayed Feb. 18 featured the messaging, “Welcome to Upper Makefield Township – National Register of Historic Places.” The color scheme was red, yellow and white.

Supervisor Karin Traina said one potential issue is having the signs display the names of different villages in Upper Makefield. Traina said it could prove confusing, especially for tourists visiting Washington Crossing, the site where General George Washington and his Continental Army troops famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 during the Revolutionary War.

She added that she’d like to hear public feedback on the issue, as well as get input from the historical advisory commission. Members of the commission weren’t present Feb. 18.

Supervisors also want to learn more about the durability of the banners, and possibly explore different design/color scheme options.

As such, supervisors tabled the vote on whether or not to approve the $2,200 purchase of what Nyman said would be 12 banners.

During the meeting, Supervisor Ed Ford commented that the banner discussion could provide a basis for evaluating signage in general in the Washington Crossing area.

He said there seems to be an excessive amount of signage, a matter with which some residents have taken issue because they feel it detracts from the beauty and historic character of the area.

“Perhaps there could be a reduction in signage,” said Ford, who added that he doesn’t have an issue with newly proposed banners.