Politics & Government
Three Ross Parks Earmarked for Significant Upgrades in Recreation Area Renovation Plan
The commissioners are expected to vote on the plan at their Dec. 17 meeting.
After years of listening to Ross Township residents, the consulting firm Pashek & Associates presented the Ross Board of Commissioners with a strategic plan for managing and upgrading the township's 23 parks and recreation areas.
The commissioners are expected to vote on the plan at their Dec. 17 meeting. Below are the recommendations contained in an executive summary presented to the commissioners on Dec. 2.
Goals
Find out what's happening in North Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Sustain a parks system that provides recreational opportunities throughout the township. Develop Evergreen, Ross, and Denny parks as the recreational gems of the township. Upgrade and maintain existing parks.
- Establish a park maintenance system that ensures a high standard of safey and care in all township parks.
Proposed Improvements
- Herge Park : make park more usable by the adjacent elementary school; upgrade the baseball field, bring park into compliance with ADA standards.
- Denny Park : Eliminate one baseball field and installing infiltration area to improve storm water runoff. Expand upper section of park to include new picnic shelter, playground, improved basketball and tennis courts, a new pervious surface parking lot. A nine-hole disc golf course is proposed in the woodland area northeast of the baseball field.
- Evergreen Park : Improve areas around two ponds by making fishing deck handicapped accessible, adding a new fishing deck adjacent to the main parking lot, and constructing safer walkway between the upper and lower ponds. Upgrade trails and expand parking lot,
- Other parks: rehabilitate infields, turf, fencing, bleachers and other amenities at the township's ball fields. Update playgrounds to ensure they meet current safety standards. Bring all parks and facilities into compliance with ADA standards. Enhance trails for long-term sustainability.
Cost and Budgeting
Find out what's happening in North Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The consultants recommend the commissioners allocate $125,000 a year in the township's capital budget to pay for a phased in renovation of all of the parks. The consultants also recommend seeking grant money to pay for the larger renovations at Herge, Denny, and Evergreen Park.
What do you think about the Ross Township recreation, park, and open spaces plan? Tell us in the comments box below.
Follow us on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
Check out some of today's other top stories here .
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.