The Salisbury Township Recreation Advisory Committee held a meeting July 15 to plan and discuss the many upcoming events open to township residents as well as report on the condition of the facilities throughout the township.

At the start of the meeting, the committee welcomed its newest member, Arnaldo Lopez, who stepped up to fill a long-standing vacancy in Ward 1. At this time all seats on the Recreation Advisory Committee have been filled with a representative from each of the five wards.

Committee members noted the parks are in full use and busy with the activity of children and adults taking full advantage of all the parks have to offer.

Ward 4 representative Mark Wilson reported the pickleball courts in the newly named Frank McCullough Sr. Park have been very busy on a daily basis even with the recent heat waves.

The committee continues to work on revising rules and policy language related to the use of tennis, pickleball and basketball courts in an effort to keep courts open for public use. New signage reflecting new guidelines for use will be posted once completed.

In her staff report, Recreation Director Genny Baillie, reported the summer playground program which began on June 17 is well underway. Participation in the program has been robust this year especially at the Lindberg Park and Laubach Park locations and staff has done its best to cope with the challenging summer heat.

The annual playground day will take place July 24 at Lindberg Park and will feature games, prizes and lots of fun. If needed a rain date is scheduled July 25. The last day for the summer playground program is July 26.

Director of Public Works Jim Levernier and his crew have been working on the sand volleyball courts at Lindberg Park. The area will be leveled and sand specifically designed for volleyball play will be placed. Next year the sand volleyball court at Franko Park will receive the same treatment.

Plans are in the works for the betterment of Laubach Park but vandals continue to wreak havoc on the recently completed work. Costly repairs have become necessary, which in turn, limits the full use of the park facilities. Efforts to curtail vandalism incidents through security cameras have been thwarted as they too have been damaged.

There are several upcoming events for residents to participate in, the first of which is National Night Out 6-8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Salisbury Elementary School. The evening includes free food, drinks, music, games, face painting and a basket raffle. Local police officers, firefighters and EMTs will be on hand to meet and greet community members.

If you are a fan of music from the ‘60s and ‘70s, get your tie-dye shirt and go-go boots ready because Franko Park will once again host the AM Radio Tribute Band 3-6:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Top of the Hill Grill food truck will be on site featuring barbecue, burgers, pulled pork and other delicious treats available for purchase.

It may be July but the committee continues to make plans for the annual tree lighting ceremony 6-7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Franko Park. Members have reached out to various community groups for their help in an effort to enhance the experience for residents and kick off the holiday season.

The next meeting of the recreation advisory committee is 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. All meetings take place at the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave., Allentown.