Township Annual Report - 2007 - Lower Providence Township

Department ofparks & recreationThe Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide varietyof workshops, camps, special events, and trips forparticipants of all ages. In 2007, the Department focused onexpanding its programming, with such classes as SAT prep,mat Pilates, pre-school computer, golf, and gardening joiningtraditional favorites. During the summer, Township-sponsoredcamps covered a wide variety of interests, includingsports, nature, and horseback riding. Camp Perkiomy, theDepartment’s summer day camp, provided fun for its youngparticipants. In addition, numerous trips gave communitymembers the opportunity to travel to such destinations asNew York, Atlantic City, Chicago, and Savannah. They alsovisited the slopes, rides and movies as the Department onceagain offered discount tickets for amusement parks, ski resortsand local movie theaters.Looking to revitalize its annual fall celebration, theDepartment introduced Fall Fest in 2007. The expandedevent included both popular elements of the formercelebration and additional activities, including health andbusiness expos. A benefit 10K race kicked off the day anddrew praise from veteran and novice runners alike.Offering food, music, lifestyle information,and activities for all ages, Fall Fest attractedthousands of participants and fostered a realsense of community spirit.2007 Milestones:Eagleville Park pathway lighting - Path lighting wasinstalled to allow residents to walk early in the morning andjust after dusk in the evening. This project was part of theEagleville Park Master Plan.Hoy Park - The Township obtained a grant from the Fishand Boat Commission to pave the parking lot and makeimprovements to the boat ramp. In addition, a Departmentof Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant wasobtained for an ADA walking path and fishing pier; theproject will be completed in 2008.Cranberry Park - A $7,500 grant from PECO GreenRegion grant was used for plantings and the construction ofa parking lot area.Playground Equipment and Gabriel’s Field Master Plan– A $5,000 Department of Community and EconomicDevelopment grant was used for playground equipment atthe Audubon Recreation complex and for the Gabriel’s FieldMaster Plan.Detention Basin Project - The Township receiveda $17,163.56 Tree Vitalize Watershed grant from theMontgomery County Conservation District to naturalizetwo Township detention basins at Redtail and EvansburgCrossing.Marquee Installation – With support from Sen. JohnRafferty, the Township received a grant used towardthe purchase of a new marquee. The sign provides realtimeemergency messages and information on Townshipsponsoredevents.Shoemaker House – Renovations were begun to theShoemaker House, the new home of the Parks and RecreationDepartment. The Department is scheduled to complete themove by the end of February 2008.Online Registration – Planning was initiated for onlineprogram registration that will offer residents the convenienceof registering and paying for Parks & Recreation programsvia the Township website.The Parks & Recreation Department offers unique,educational and entertaining programs for all ages.This reptile program was part of Fall Fest 2007.8l o w e r p r o v i d e n c e t o w n s h i p