Discussion of potential parks and recreation projects highlighted the Aug. 17 meeting of the Lower Makefield Township Board of Supervisors.
Township Parks and Recreation Director Monica Tierney gave updates on reconstruction of the Schuyler Drive tennis courts, possible installation of lights at one of the fields at the Caiola Baseball Park for an estimated $225,000 and possible development of the Snipes Tract.
Tierney said core borings done for the Schuyler Drive project revealed there is no sub-base under the tennis courts, a discovery that will increase the expected cost of the project to around $378,000. However, that is still under the original amount earmarked for the work of $400,000, she added.
One resident who lives near Caiola, at Edgewood and Oxford Valley roads, expressed concern about light pollution.
“I don’t want my night sky changed,” she said. Tierney recently held an on-site meeting with some nearby residents to gauge their concerns and get feedback on the project.
Supervisor Daniel Grenier was skeptical about the need for lighting a field, saying it would only have limited benefits for play in the fall. However, Tierney and board Chairman James McCartney both said a lighted field could provide some advantages for spring and summer league play as well.
On the Snipes Tract, near Dolington Road and Interstate 295, the supervisors authorized Tierney to seek quotes on both a trees and/or habitat assessment of the property as one preliminary step in possible development of the tract into an active or passive recreational facility, or a mix of both.
Supervisor John Lewis again said he felt township officials should first do a full assessment of possible improvements of Macclesfield Park on River Road before taking any more steps at Snipes. Macclesfield Park is developed and includes a lot of athletic fields.
Also at the meeting, township Police Chief-Interim Manager Ken Coluzzi announced that PennDOT has granted an extension on the time the township can use a $260,000 Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grant until December 2023. The grant will be used for traffic signal and other improvements at the intersection of Big Oak and Makefield roads.
In addition, board members approved an amended vacant property ordinance that will provide for faster demolition or some other resolution for structures heavily damaged by fire or some other “act of God.”
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