The Salisbury Township Recreation and Advisory Committee met virtually Nov. 16 for its regularly scheduled meeting.

Committee members Pat Jacoby, Mark Wilson, Frank Adamcik and Frank McCullough were in attendance as was Recreation Director Genny Baillie. Also in attendance was resident Karin Holliday.

The committee was tasked with looking at the ordinance which allows for hunting at Franko Park.

The ordinance, established in 2004, states the following:

“Hunting shall be permitted in Franko Park Recreation Area and Riverside Park Recreation Area during the approved hunting seasons as established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and under the following conditions:

A. Only archery (use of bow and arrows) hunting shall be permitted unless hunters are participating in the junior hunting program.

B. Hunters shall have and display the appropriate Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hunting license.

C. Hunters shall abide by all of the Pennsylvania game laws and township ordinances.

D. Hunters shall register with the Salisbury Township Police Department, provide all required information, comply with all rules set forth in the established guidelines and obtain and display the appropriate permit.

In 2003, Salisbury Township established a junior hunting program. The ordinance was updated in 2004 specifying the types of hunting permitted for the junior hunting program.

The junior hunting area is designated in the Riverside Park Recreation Area only.

The ordinance states, “With regard to the junior hunting area established within Salisbury Township, hunting shall only be permitted in this designated area during the approved hunting seasons as established by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and under the following conditions:

•Only the use of shotguns shall be permitted.

•Hunters shall have and display the appropriate Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hunting license.

•Hunters shall abide by all of the Pennsylvania Game Commission laws and township ordinances regulating the use of this property. Junior hunters shall be qualified in accordance with the Pennsylvania Game Commission laws.

•Junior hunters and their eligible adult sponsor shall register with the Salisbury Township Police Department, provide all information required and comply with all rules set forth in the established guidelines as well as obtain and display the appropriate permits.

•A junior hunter shall qualify in accordance with the Pennsylvania Code and Pennsylvania statutes, specifically 34 Pa. C.S.A. § 2705, as amended from time to time.

Baillie said she has been aware of hunting at Franko Park since 1994. She said people had been hunting there on the Franko family’s property. Commissioners at the time were in support of bow hunting on the property and the park wasn’t developed.

It was noted Franko Park has 71 acres and is busy with families playing and watching soccer and baseball and people walking on the trails. The hunting has gone on while games are played and residents walk the trails.

As recreation director, Baillie said she feels Franko is not the right place for this activity.

Jacoby asked if there are any rules to see if hunting is limited to the wooded area.

Holliday is just one of the residents who have made calls to the township regarding the hunters at Franko Park.

She said there are more hunters this season. Hunters were sitting on a tree stump looking at the path where she and her husband were walking their dogs. She said normally you don’t see the hunters; this year the hunters are more visible on the walking path. Holliday asked about the game commission rules and said she was told it is up to the hunter’s best judgment. There are restrictions on the distance from residences.

Holliday questioned how many hunting permits are allowed at Franko Park.

The Press reached out to Salisbury Chief of Police Kevin Soberick who had answers to these questions.

Soberick said in 2019, 120 adult hunting permits were issued along with two juvenile permits (same household).

In 2020, 118 adult permits have been issued along with one juvenile permit.

“When the hunters come and fill out their paperwork for the permit, they are given a packet. It contains a map of the areas where hunting is allowed and a page of requirements when hunting on township land. They are required to have both the state issued permit as well as a copy of the township permit on their person. Also, they are to keep a copy of the township permit on the dash of their vehicle. There is not a specific regulation that limits where in the park they can hunt,” Soberick said.

Soberick reiterated juvenile hunting is only permitted at Riverside Park.

Holliday said due to COVID-19, the parks have been used by a lot more families and she is concerned about the hunting going on while the families are in the park. She suggested signs saying hunting season is going on to alert families.

Another resident told The Press she also has concerns this year about the hunters.

She also found a hunter crouched behind a tree on the trail where the old gazebo was, not more than 20 feet from where people are walking with their dogs and children. She noted the safety of the public should not be jeopardized.

Holliday said she sees a dozen people there every day walking who have the same experience. There was a hunter at Franko the day before hunting season opened and a lady was walking her dog who was not on a leash. He told her he could have shot her dog.

The police were called because hunters were at Franko Park 10:30 p.m. one evening.

Wilson asked the committee their thoughts about hunting in the parks.

Adamcik said he needs more information - he is not opposed to hunting as long as it isn’t near where the families and children are.

Baillie said the township has spent a lot of money on the master plan for Laubach Park and Franko Park and there will be more activities including disc golf and tennis. She doesn’t believe they included hunting in the master plan. The township is looking to move the ball field and add a ball field at Franko Park.

Adamcik said he would like an overview of the area.

Wilson said the committee has a concern and the commissioners should consider repealing the ordinance. Jacoby said with the additional activities at the park, moving forward he can’t even imagine hunting at the park. “It isn’t even a question, it has to end,” Jacoby said.

Wilson said he is concerned the hunters are sitting on the path.

Baillie asked about the oversight of the hunters with permits being left in the car, the number of residents enjoying the park versus how many hunters are there and a lack of signage.

“Things have to be done to make it more safe immediately,” Baillie said. “The idea people are going into the park at 10:30 p.m. - those things are concerning,” Baillie said.

Wilson said he will draft something to be sent to the commissioners - he will send it out to the committee for their review.

In adviser reports, Adamcik said the basketball courts at Laubach Park and River Road are busy and the fields are quiet, He said the Salisbury Youth Association is trying to get basketball going and the school district has open gym for junior varsity and varsity. “Time will tell,” Adamcik said.

Jacoby said he went to Franko Park last week and found a few people playing soccer and a few people walking.

McCullough’s reported on Green Acres Park where he noted lots of basketball players and families utilizing the park. “I’m glad to see them out there,” McCullough said. He noted the large crack is still in the basketball court and it is getting wider - about 2 inches now. “It’s dangerous,” he said.

Baillie said the upper basketball court has no basketball rim. Public Works Director John Andreas thought that is where they would put the fence in for pickleball and use the remaining macadam to create the pickleball court. “John has not worked on any drawings yet because it will be for next year,” Baillie said. She reiterated nothing has been drawn up.

McCullough also went to Lindberg Park and reported concerns of grass growing into the walking path. Baillie said she shared photos with Andreas and Township Manager Cathy Bonaskiewich.

In her staff report Baillie addressed a resident’s concern about the nets at the batting cages at Franko Park. She addressed the issue with SYA and the public works department. Baillie said the agreement is the netting is to be taken down at the end of the season.

Holliday has a concern about birds getting trapped and in fact she had to free some birds trapped in the nets at Franko Park. She said three years, SYA has not been taking the nets down over two winters. During one of the ice storms, Holliday said the nets were frozen and the frames were bending.

Holiday said the nets were still up as of 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16.

Mark thanked Holliday for bringing her concerns to the committee’s attention.

Baillie said there has been lots of activity at the parks as Allentown is still keeping parks closed. “It’s nice to see kids are using the facilities. Things will slow down with the time change and weather changing,” Baillie said. She said the parks are giving kids an outlet with schools being closed.

“I’m thrilled to see the parks in such great use,” Wilson said.

McCullough brought up the bicycle activity at Lindberg Park. Baillie said the signs are there saying no bikes beyond this point.

Baillie said the commissioners said the bikes are allowed on the perimeter trail - not allowed inside.

The committee feels the perimeter width is not wide enough for bikes and dogs. The master plan had the trail 2-feet wider but was made more narrow for cost cutting measures.

Baillie suggested if the committee wants to change some of the usage rules, now is the time since the parks will be closing soon.

Jacoby said he understands kids racing and making the path a dangerous situation. He thinks the committee should stick with the current rules.

Adamcik said he understood it was a walking trail.

Baillie said with runners, strollers, bikes, dogs, walkers and the elderly walking, the path is very crowded.

Baillie said the paving material was very expensive for the extra 2-feet of path.

Wilson suggested they table the discussion; he will take a look at the path and will talk about it at the January 2021 meeting.

Wilson said he would like to know what the community thinks about it allowing bikes on the path.

Regarding upcoming community events, the committee hopes to be able to hold the annual egg hunt. Baillie said she has the eggs which are stuffed with toys. Baillie said they have time to make a decision on whether it will be held. She will have the flyer printed and distributed if the event is held.

If the egg hunt is held, it will be 10 a.m. March 27, 2021 at Lindberg Park. Last year the egg hunt was held at Franko Farm as commissioners would like to alternate locations on the eastern and western side of the township.

The next committee meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 2021.