The Salisbury Township Recreation Advisory Committee met July 20 virtually via Zoom.

In attendance were Chair Mark Wilson, Vice Chair Patrick Jacoby, members Francis J. McCullough and Frank Adamcik, Recreation Director Genny Baillie and Township Manager Cathy Bonakiewich. Secretary Kimberly Ringhoffer did not attend.

Wilson opened the meeting by saying this is the second regular meeting of the committee this year. “Parks are open, baseball teams are playing and people are using the parks,” Wilson said.

He said the last time the committee met was the beginning of January.

In advisory reports, Adamcik said the basketball courts at Laubach Park are being used heavily, tennis courts use is light at Laubach Park and the Green Acres basketball courts are showing medium use.

Adamcik, his son and grandson fixed the shed at Laubach Park.

According to Adamcik, Salisbury Youth Association had a meeting at Franko Farm where someone was riding a go-cart. The person was very nice when he was told he could not ride the go-cart in the park.

Soccer courts at Franko Farm are being used - about 30 people were there July 14. Adamcik said almost every night someone is playing soccer there. SYA may not have a football or soccer program this year as parents are not signing up their kids. “Parents may have concerns,” Adamcik said.

Baillie said the soccer and basketball registrations are open. The township is currently not permitting organized teams. If it is pickup games, it is open.

Wilson said Lindberg Park is showing heavy use. He said the tennis courts are packed and the basketball court has strong use as well as pickleball. He said he is thrilled to see the field at Lindberg Park being taken care of by the township.

Hamilton Park Athletic Association is starting early fall multiple teams and are practicing now, Wilson said. “It has been pretty light during the last few days due to the heat.”

Jacoby asked about trash at Lindberg Park as littering is on the rise, mostly around the basketball courts.

Baillie said the township has been receiving a lot of complaints about trash around the basketball courts. Public works picks up trash every morning. Baillie said there was a suggestion to put up a sign to keep it clean or the parks will need to be closed.

The donated signs should be ready soon and will be placed around the basketball courts to encourage receptacle use.

Regarding the picnic pavilions, Baillie said reservations started when Pennsylvania entered the green phase. The restrooms will still not be open.

McCullough asked for another latrine on the south end of Lindberg Park in his report. He said the latrine on the north end works great.

“I see people still walking dogs and they are not supposed to be riding bikes on the trail,” McCullough said. “No dogs are permitted on the interior trails and no bikes on the interior trails at Lindberg,” Baillie said.

McCullough said the Green Acres shed is in the same condition it has been for two years. “The roof is rotten.” He provided photos of the shed to the committee.

“People are really enjoying playing pickleball,” McCullough said. He also requested a path of approximately 80 -90 feet of sidewalk on the north side of Green Acres along the front of the park.

“I’ve heard more tires screeching there; something is going to happen,” McCullough said. Baillie agreed a sidewalk is needed along the fence line at Green Acres.

McCullough also noted the tennis court at Devonshire Park is awful. “I wouldn’t have it at my house,” McCullough said.

“Keep smiling we have good days ahead,” McCullough said.

Baillie said this is the meeting where she would normally report on the playground program but it was not held this year due to COVID-19. “We had some bumps along the way trying to reopen the parks slowly. We had basketball open and weren’t offering permits. We had to chase off an organized team,” Baillie said. She noted heavy use of the parks at Laubach, Lindberg and Green Acres.

It was said Allentown has not opened their courts.

Police are also going to do more community policing between the parks to develop a relationship and build rapport.

The committee said they are putting on hold the idea of a community tree lighting due to COVID-19. The ribbon-cutting for Lindberg Park is also on hold.

Baillie said she will be meeting next month to talk about budget items for next year.

All permits for the ball fields have a COVID-19 disclaimer. Baillie said some people don’t get permits. A complaint was made about a graduation party held at Lindberg Park with amplified music. Baillie said there was no permit issued for the party; regardless, loud amplified music is not allowed. She said the capacity outlined by the state for outdoor gatherings is 250 people but Salisbury’s capacity is less. Baillie said each park has its own capacity.

Wilson said park tours usually conducted by the Recreation Advisory Committee will be postponed for now

“It’s great to see people back in the park again,” Wilson said.

Resident Jeff Seybolt attended the meeting and said some days are worse than others with trash in the park. He said the courts are being heavily used. “Some of the neighbors go and pick up some of the garbage. They are getting used a lot. The basketball courts at Cedar beach aren’t open. These guys need an outlet,” Seybolt said.

Seybolt said he noticed the basketball hoops at Green Acres are not up and asked what the plan is for the court. Wilson said the pavement is in a terrible state right now.

Baillie said there is a tremendous crack in the pavement and residents have asked for pickleball. Baillie said the township is looking to convert the two upper courts to pickleball courts. She said it won’t happen this year. The surface is not playable for basketball.

Seybolt wanted to express concerns about putting a pickleball court there. He said the pickleball court at Lindberg Park has an 8-foot fence around it.

“Would there be a plan to put a fence around it at Green Acres,” Seybolt asked. Baillie said yes.

Baillie said they haven’t begun drawing up a design yet or placement. “We didn’t get that far,” Baillie said.

Wilson said the court would be set back a bit to stop a pickleball from going out on the street.

“I would be looking at a fence directly from the house,” Seybolt said. He said he called Bonakiewich about this concern. He said Green Acres is only a 2 ½ acre park and pickleball courts are in Lindberg Park. Seybolt would rather see pickleball at Devonshire. “I don’t think we need a pickleball court one mile from Lindberg,” Seybolt said.

Committee members said the township has basketball at both parks and people at Lindberg Park are also looking at a fence.

Seybolt disagreed.

“One of my neighbors looked up pickleball - the only thing required is a 3 ½ foot fence,” Seybolt said. Baillie said the recommendation is a 10-foot fence.

“I don’t want to be looking at a fence - not in favor of it. I would like to know what’s going on with this project,” Seybolt said.

“Right now, nothing,” Baille said.

Seybolt asked to be informed on developments regarding a pickleball court at Green Acres Park.

Jacoby asked during the last budget, what was happening at Devonshire Park. He said the cracks on those courts are getting similar to those at Green Acres Park.

Baille said that has also been on her priority list.

Baillie said tennis and pickleball are popular on the west side of the township. Residents want more pickleball. She suggested resurfacing Devonshire.

Baillie said the court for pickleball is a 44-feet long and 20-feet wide - it is a smaller footprint than a basketball court.

Seybolt again reiterated his concern about the fence.

McCullough said people tell him how much everyone appreciates the pickleball court.

Wilson said you can almost fit two pickleball courts on a tennis court.

Baillie said she doesn’t know if it will happen next year - not sure where it will fit on the priority list. She said regular maintenance on the parks is needed.

The committee was asked about the status of the master plan for the parks on the eastern side of the township.

Baillie said the water issue stopped the master plan on the eastern side. Plans are to move the tennis court out of Laubach Park and move it to Franko as well as a ball field. Baillie said the commissioners want to get the bathrooms done but the township cannot construct new bathrooms with the current water issue.

The next meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21.