Sun staff
The public has until May 2 to submit comments on the Pierce Township Park and Nature Space Master Plan, which was presented during the township’s trustee meeting on April 13.
“The plan is a vision for what the parks might become,” George Carpenter, head of the Parks Committee, said before presenting the plan. “It’s based on a lot of benchmarking, primarily with the surrounding townships.”
He added, “The plan is not intended to be done all at once, but rather when funding becomes available, and in stages.”
The plan is aimed at utilizing more of the township’s 137 acres of parkland, of which 84 percent is undeveloped, according to Carpenter.
The township’s nature area, located on Locust Corner Road, consists of nearly 64 acres of nature trails. Pierce Township Park, also located on Locust Corner Road, consists of another nearly 64 acres of land; 12 acres are maintained, and half of those have been developed with features or walking paths that are used by the public, said Carpenter.
“It’s helpful to begin to think about this park as the center of community and activities,” Carpenter said. “We want to begin to drive use of the whole park, not just six acres.”
Major elements laid out in the plan are new bathrooms, a shelter house, a stage and small shelter house, an extension to the paved walking trail, including exercise equipment stations as well as historical kiosks, new and renovated nature trails, including plant species markers, the addition of an Americans with Disability Act compliant playground structure and an area to play cornhole.
The plan also calls for the addition of an arch to the entrance of the park and a memorial to uniformed service members. Potential future elements include a dog park and skateboard park.
Carpenter also presented ideas to increase the park’s usage, including league play on the ball fields, movie night in the park, winter ice-skating, concerts in the park and cornhole tournaments.
Conceptual cost estimates for the plan total almost $740,000.
Potential funding sources include grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraising events, according to Carpenter.
While resident Jen Chamberlain praised the Parks Committee for developing the plan, she expressed her concerns about the costs laid out and about the long-term viability of the improvements.
“What’s the plan for getting a return on our investment?” she asked. “As a tax payer, I’m wondering if we may eventually need to increase taxes to pay for these improvements? Is that a burden we’ll have to bear?”
Carpenter said that adding features to the park will drive more usage, and in turn, the township will be able to increase revenue by renting out shelters or charging leagues to play on the ball fields.
“These improvements would make a significant impact in a positive way,” added Trustee Bob Pautke.
The draft of the Pierce Township Park and Nature Space Master Plan is available on the township’s website at www.piercetownship.org. Comments should be sent to Carpenter at carpdiem1@msn.com.