The Recreation Advisory Committee held its meeting May 16 to solidify planned events and discuss the state of the many park improvements throughout the township.

Mark Wilson, committee chair, reported he has been fielding a good deal of questions from residents who are anxiously waiting to play on the township’s pickleball courts. The good news is work has begun on the installation of four new pickleball courts at Green Acres.

Committee member Patrick Jacoby reported poles have been installed to make way for new fencing.

Once the courts at Green Acres are ready for re-striping, the courts at Laubach and Devonshire parks will be completed. Devonshire will be re-striped for tennis only while Laubach will accommodate both tennis and pickleball.

As with most good news, there’s a little bad news.

In March, Jim Levernier, director of public works, reported all materials for these projects had been ordered and the courts would be completed in the spring. Unfortunately, the timeline for completion of these projects has been pushed back to mid-summer due to supply chain issues.

In other park news, a much needed stormwater improvement project at Laubach Park has commenced and will continue into the summer months. Once the water runoff issues have been mitigated other improvements slated for the park can begin.

Lindberg Park is a hubbub of activity as baseball and softball season are in full swing and the pickleball courts are in constant use.

Recreation Director Genny Baillie reported the township’s summer playground program will take place after a two year hiatus. Finding enough qualified counselors proved to be quite a challenge but fortunately there were enough applicants to staff programs at both Lindberg and Laubach parks.

As for community events, the committee has been hard at work planning programs for residents to enjoy.

The egg hunt, which was held at Franko Park April 9, was well attended despite the pouring rain. The committee decided they did not want Salisbury’s children to wait yet another year to gather eggs and much to the children’s delight, they enjoyed splashing in the rain while filling their baskets.

Upcoming events include Salisbury Night at an IronPig’s game June 15 and the 1960s and 1970s band AM Radio Concert at Franko Park Sept. 24. The committee is still in need of a food truck to accompany this event. Anyone interested in providing food service for the event should contact Genny Baillie at the township office.

The committee is seeking two new members from Wards 1 and 5 to replace outgoing members. If interested in serving your community as part of the recreation advisory committee, contact the township office or apply online through the township website.

The next meeting of the Recreation Advisory Committee will be held 7:30 p.m. July 18 in the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., Allentown.