Bids are expected to go out in several months for an estimated $400,000 of improvements to Lindberg Park, including a new perimeter walking path.

The Salisbury Township Recreation Commission's first meeting of the new year included reorganization and a presentation on the first phase, as well as what might be in store for Lindberg Park in the second phase, of its master plan.

Joanne Conley, project manager, Urban Research & Development Corp., township consultant, detailed the first phase, which primarily includes a perimeter pathway at Lindberg.

In addition, Conley asked the recreation commission during its Jan. 20 meeting to consider the next phase of Lindberg improvements.

"You have to decide if you want to apply for the next round of grants," Conley said. The next phase could cost $200,000.

Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano plans to work with URDC on applying for a DCNR grant for the next phase of Lindberg improvements. The grant application deadline is April.

The walkway, to be made of a resin-bound aggregate, is intended to eventually provide a connection to the pathway at the Allentown Parkway.

The first phase, which could cost up to $400,000, is funded by a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant of $177,000; Lehigh County Growing Green grant of $160,000 and a Lehigh Valley Health Network grant of $35,000.

"The township will pick up the soft costs," Soriano said.

Of the LVHN grant, Soriano noted in his briefing about the Lindberg project at the township board of commissioners Jan. 23 workshop, "It fits their mission with wellness and a healthy community."

Soriano announced receipt of the DCNR grant late last year. The county grant was approved earlier last year. The county grant must be spent before the end of this year. The DCNR grant has a three-year use window. Soriano plans to attend a DCNR workshop next month.

"We fast-tracked this [the pathway project] to have it shovel-ready," Soriano said.

Its estimated pathway construction will be put out for bid between March and June. Pathway completion is expected this fall.

"I think it's going to be great," commission member Mark Wilson said.

"I really appreciate the help from URDC. They helped us put in a great application," Soriano said.

Recreation commission member Antonella DiMatteo asked if the pathway work would interfere with Lindberg playground and sports programs.

"There's going to be no excavation," Conley said.

Conley said percolation tests were completed at Lindberg as part of applying for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which administers the United States Environmental Protection Agency regulation. Getting the permit could take from three to six months.

"We have really good perk rates," Conley said. "That will help with the rain gardens that we need to put in for drainage."

Phase two for Lindberg is now expected to combine phases two and five of the master plan.

"We want to get the phases we [the township] can't afford," Soriano said.

Phase two of the master plan improvements includes: wood split rail, fencing with wire mesh, privacy fencing, wildlife buffer seed, trees and shrubs for the perimeter trail.

Phase five of the master plan improvements includes: removing existing maintenance pathway, install new interior pathway system, install rain gardens, clear swales and improve garden for the blind area, add topsoil and seed, install ADA resting pads and install 12 benches in the park.

"When do we get new backstops?" asked Genny Baillie, township recreation director.

Phase three of the master plan improvements include: renovating baseball fields, including new backstops, bullpens and access paths; a storage shed with concrete base; installing a wall behind the large field to allow a level area for bullpens and batting cages with gravel access paths.

Soriano said phase three will be proposed as capital improvements for budget consideration by the township board of commissioners.

The perimeter path is to be eight-foot wide and consist of a type of material allowing natural infiltration of rainwater.

It was suggested recreation commission members visit parks where identical or similar material was used for pathways.

Some trees will be cut down to make way for the pathway.

"A lot of evergreens were in the way of the trail. They're kind of at the end of their life," Conley said.

"Whatever we do, we're going to have to have more natural plants," Conley said.

There are 11 phases in the Lindberg Park master plan.

Phase four includes pavilion and restroom improvements.

Phase six includes bicycle lanes and traffic calming along Laubach Avenue.

Phase seven is playground renovations.

Phase eight includes improvements to the large parking lot.

Phase nine includes improvements to the small parking lot.

Phase 10 is tranquility garden design and engineering.

Phase 11 nine includes building the tranquility garden, repairing the handball wall, reinstalling the sand volleyball court and installing the pickle ball courts.

In other business during the Jan. 20 recreation commission meeting, it was announced the Easter Egg Hunt will be held 10 a.m. April 12 in Lindberg Park.

At the start of the meeting a moment of silence was observed for the late Walter Aungst, recreation commission vice chair, for "his service to the township."

The commission elected Frank Adamcik, chair; Mark Wilson, vice chair, and Patrick Jacoby, the newest member succeeding Aungst, secretary. Jacoby is a graduate of DeSales University, Class of 2013 and Salisbury High School, Class of 2009.

The recreation commission meets next 7:30 p.m. March 17 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Avenue.