The Lower Macungie Youth Association gave a presentation to the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners Aug. 18 about a study conducted by an independent firm through the youth association on the athletic fields in the township.

The purpose of the study is to enable the youth association to provide instructional, intramural and competitive team sports to encourage sportsmanship, team leadership skills and healthy lifestyles.

The study included inventory and evaluation of the existing facilities in Lower Macungie Township and included the East Penn School District. Recommendations were made about maximizing field space and use of the fields, improving field conditions and opportunities to develop facilities.

Recommendations include improving the quality of the playing fields, improving parking at various fields and parks, improving spectator areas, adding lighting and developing indoor space for winter sports, determining the feasibility of adding a pole barn in a Lower Macungie Township park, improving Quarry Park for intermediate baseball and lacrosse due to heavy use and overcrowding, and improving Spring Ridge Crossing fields for travel and intermediate soccer. Included in the recommendations is the suggestion to develop a sports complex on Jaindl/EPSD property,

Suggested financing included township support and LMYA fundraising. Also included in suggested financing are foundation grants, sponsorships and capital campaigns.

It was noted the township and LMYA should continue to work together to support the long term use of the parks to meet the growing demand for residents.

The commissioners thanked the youth association for the presentation.

Susan Nienstiel presented a plan for possible library expansion. The library has experienced significant growth with over 10,000 children participating in 353 programs in 2015. This is a 17 percent increase in the number of programs and a 5 percent increase in attendance. There were 155 adult programs offered with 1,780 attending. The number of activities increased by 14 percent and attendance increased by 54 percent.

Program offerings are limited due to space for both children and adults. Children’s story times are held in open space disturbing others. Craft activities are held in a space that includes the youth services librarian’s desk. Only 15 children can be accommodated during these activities which causes waiting lists.

Office space is very tight. There is a need for storage areas. There is no space available for study and collaboration. Tutors use the library and need some quiet space.

The current library is 13,500 square feet. The library is requesting to add 6,500 square feet. This will provide separate children’s areas and reconfigure areas for meeting rooms, study areas, quiet areas and additional office space and storage.

The commissioners are aware of the need for more space but suggested half the amount. One suggestion was to use some other township buildings for reading time,

A petition was signed by 51 people over the dog park at Spring Creek Estates. Resident’s concerns are about potential dog biting, lack of control at the park and parking problems. Roger Williams, a volunteer, who has spent many hours over the dog park said he has rules for the park and they are in conjunction with these concerns.

There will be an application process and an annual fee for use of this park. Users will be given a key fob so only those who have applied for usage are admitted. Children under the age of 14 will not be admitted without an adult.

There was a request for a study at the Spring Creek/Trexlertown Road for the possibility of making this intersection a non-turning intersection for trucks. This will be at no cost to the township.

Woodmont, the developers for Grandview, would like a study for a “Quiet Train Zone.” This will be of no cost to the township. If the warning zone becomes silent, an alternative method must be used and it can be costly.

A new warehouse is opening off of Schoeneck Road. It is part of Verizon. There are jobs available. It was said the employment available is better than most warehouses as these are technologically based.