F O R K S T O W N S H I P P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N

F Y 2 0 1 6 - F Y 2 0 2 0

COMPREHENSIVE 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Parks and Recreation Mission: To create leisure, enrichment, and recreational opportunities for personal growth and enhancement for all ages, and To meet the Parks and Recreation Goal of the Forks Township Comprehensive plan as adopted on February 18th, 2010. (See Appendix J) To achieve this, the Parks and Recreation Department and Recreation Board shall develop diverse services and programs that promote resident involvement and a strong sense of community. Such services and programs shall strive to increase the social, cultural, and physical well-being of Forks residents and visitors. Administration – Recreation Board, Parks and Recreation Director, and Parks Manager

1. Effectively plan for the future parks and recreation facilities. 2. Review, develop, and maintain departmental budget. 3. Promote, maintain, and improve existing programs and facilities. 4. Create partnerships with residents, businesses/organizations, and local Parks and Recreation

Departments. 5. Manage Forks Township Recreation Website and Recreation Management Software.

Recreation Department – Recreation Board, Parks and Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Monitors, and Custodians.

1. Provides and supports leisure, enrichment, and recreational opportunities. These include: a. Athletic/Sport programs to meet the needs of residents of all ages, interests, and skill levels,

and high quality athletic events that attract out-of-town visitors to the community. b. Recreational programs to meet the needs of residents of all ages, interests, and skill levels

which include fitness/aerobic programs, clubs, education and instructional classes/workshops, events, etc.

c. Special Events for the enjoyment of local residents and the involvement of local businesses and organizations which promote community pride.

d. Trips for the enjoyment of local residents which promotes travel and tourism.

2. Operates the Forks Township Community Center and Recreational Facilities which support athletic and recreational programs.

a. The Forks Township Community Center provides a positive, drug-free environment where residents and visitors can enjoy the fitness room and programming for a reasonable fee. The center also provides meeting and event rental space, which includes table and chair set-up/tear down.

b. Park Facilities – rental of fields, pavilions, and courts for games, tournaments, special events, and social/family gatherings.

Parks Department – Parks and Recreation Director, Parks Manager, and Parks Crew

1. Provides attractive, safe, well-maintained parks and public facilities, and assists in the preparation and implementation of programs.

2. Presently, the department maintains 8 parks, which includes just over 205 acres, 30 athletic fields, 4 tennis courts, 3 basketball courts, 3 tot-lots, 2 pavilions, skate park, amphitheater, and 2 restroom facilities. (See Appendix B and Appendix C )

3. Maintains various non-park township properties totaling approximately 16 acres. 4. Serves as a support group for Forks Community Days, Easter Egg Hunt, and the Christmas Tree

Lighting Ceremony. 5. Provides aesthetically pleasing, safe, and well-maintained landscaped areas at municipal facilities and

buildings.

COMMUNITY AND REVENU E ASSUM PTIONS

The 2010 Census reported Forks Township’s population to be 14, 721. At that time, growth was anticipated to continue by 8.6% over the next five years to an estimated population of 16,709 according to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

Although there has been a gradual decline in single family and multi-family residential construction, it is anticipated to show a gradual increase in the next five years.

Developer Recreation Contributions are expected to generate approximately $390,000 over the next five years for the Land Acquisition Capital Fund. At the date of this plan, the Land Acquisition Funds is in excessive of $320,000. (See Appendix G)

Northampton County has an employed labor force of approximately 140,891 and an unemployment rate of 8.6%. During the past ten years, the unemployment rate rose from 4.7% in 2006 to a high of 9.3% in 2010 and then decreased to 7.8% in 2013.

Real Estate Tax and Earned Income Tax are the largest revenue sources for the Township’s General Fund accounting for approximately 79% of the General Fund Budget.

Annually, Forks Township budgets roughly 14% of the General Fund expenses for Parks and Recreation.

Annually, Forks Township Parks and Recreation generates in excess $500,000 in revenues.

All recreational fees can be found at http://www.forkstownship.org/finance/fees.pdf.

ANALY SIS OF STRENGTH S, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, THREATS

The following illustrates identified strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for Forks Township Parks and Recreation.

Strengths:

Diversified recreation opportunities. (See p. 72 of Appendix J)

Dedicated and resourceful staff – Parks and Recreation Director, Recreation Manager, Parks Manager, 4 fulltime and 3 part-time Parks Crew Laborers, 8 Monitors (part-time), and 3 Custodians. (part-time).

Use of technology (Parks and Recreation Website and Recreation Software Management Program) to provide efficiencies and enhanced services

Affordability of programs and facility rentals, according to a comparison of services that was made with other municipalities when the 2016 Fee Schedule was adopted.

Parks and Recreation supports Forks Township Non-Profit Organizations.

Population – growth in community over next 5 years will help to sustain current level of participation

Active youth base community.

Online registration/reservation process.

Commitment to continued long range planning and development of the parks.

Extensive Recreation Path. (See maps in Appendix J)

Forks Township Youth Sports Organization

Short and long term rest, repair, and restoration plans for sports fields

Annually budgeted Parks and Recreation funding.

Strategically located facilities near population densities.

Weaknesses:

Overcrowding of Forks Township Community Park – Greater demand than availability.

Lack of parking.

No map of recreational facilities and trails – presents difficulty in locating facility.

Residents not aware of Recreation Website.

Demand for “favorable” gym time – general community unable to use facilities when desired.

Lack of large exercise room – scheduling conflicts for fitness programs.

Too many free services.

Vandalism in parks.

Aging population and smaller households will change activity demands.

Opportunities:

Improvement of technology use.

Newlins and Richmond Road Master Park Plan (See Appendix H).

Increased involvement of Recreation Board and Planning Commission.

Encourage volunteer organizations to complete specific projects.

Diverse community – encouraging cross-cultural activities.

Business involvement/support.

Developers – negotiate recreational facilities with current and future developers to make sure Forks has sufficient open space for current and future recreation.

Threats:

Increased demand for sports fields.

Poor economy.

Financial resources may not be sufficient to support implementation of the Parks and Recreation Plan.

Demands for other municipal services that may have higher priority.

Local competition – YMCA, Fitness Facilities, other Centers (newer/modern).

Lack of parking at Forks Township Community Park and Community Center.

Traffic- with growth of township comes increased traffic- review all aspects to allow the youth and seniors to access.

STRATEGIES FOR ADDRE SSING S . W.O.T

1. Improve marketing and community awareness of recreational programs and park facilities.

a. Improve coordination of marketing efforts by utilizing the Forks Newsletter, Web-based Newspapers, e-Blasts, and Social Media.

b. Update information provided to new residents in the Forks Township Welcome Packets. c. Update information provided to residents on the Fork Township Map and Guide.

2. Improve utilization of technology for enhanced customer service.

a. On-going web-page updates. b. Increase customer use of internet-based reservation/registration system.

3. Respond to program and facility growth.

a. Continue to explore options for funding the Richmond and Newlins Road Master Park Plan (See Appendix H).

b. Continue efforts for utilization of the 5-acres behind Forks Township Community Park. c. Continue to implement the field maintenance program and the five year preventative

maintenance plan. d. Continue to utilize the Developer Recreation Contributions to enhance Parks and

Recreation Facilities. e. Continue efforts to increase program partners, in turn increasing program offerings. f. Explore options for alternative funding sources for programs and facilities g. Review the fee schedule annually. h. Encourage volunteer organizations to complete specific projects. i. Increase year-round utilization of the Wrestling Building.

RESOURCES AND BUDGETARY IMPACTS

Growth of the township will continue to impact the resource needs of the Parks and Recreation Department. Budget increases will be required for the operation and maintenance of the expanding parks and growth of the recreation programs.

The following items will affect budget growth needs over the next five years:

The Five-Year Capital Improvement Program FY 2016-2020 (See Appendix E).

Program enhancements and changes.

An increase in the diversity of youth and adult programs.

Continue support to the Forks Township Youth Sports Organization.

Continue to explore options for the park at Richmond and Newlins Road.

5-Acres behind Community Park.

Aging infrastructures. Additional revenue will be required to support increases in services.

Annual evaluation and update of all user fees based upon costs, demand, industry standard, level of service, etc.

Determination of feasibility for matching grants for specific projects.

Annual evaluation of contributions that support the Forks Township Youth Sports Organization.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are key recommendations and priorities for the next five years:

1. Continue implementation of the Forks Township Strategic Plan FY 2016, the Recreation Board goals, and the Parks and Recreation Department goals.

2. Continue implementation of technology enhancements to efficiently increase and improve services for Parks and Recreation customers.

3. Develop and implement a plan to improve community awareness of Forks Township Parks and Recreation programs, facilities, and services and the natural benefits associated with them.

4. Investigate and implement new sources of revenue to help support demand for additional recreation services.

5. Conduct a new Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Survey to assess the current facilities and programs and to determine the future needs.

6. Implementing the Field Maintenance Program and the Five Year Preventative Maintenance Plan.

7. Review and update ordinances regarding the Parks and Recreation Facilities.

8. Commence FY 2021-2026 Comprehensive 5-Year Strategic Plan.

CONCLUSION

Forks Township’s Parks and Recreation Department will be challenged over the next five years to meet increasing demands in growth for existing programs and to meet requests of new services. Continued utilization and growth in demand for the parks and recreation facilities will require additional resources to maintain maintenance standards at approved service levels. Attention to fields, infrastructure, and equipment should continue.

As Forks Township Parks and Recreation continues to grow, the bonds between the Board of Supervisors, the Recreation Board, the Forks Township Youth Sports Organization, and the Parks and Recreation Department are increasingly important. The open lines of communication and support will help to make Forks Township Parks and Recreation first class.

DEPARTMENTAL TIMELINE

The timeline for FY 2016-2020 is illustrated in Appendix F. It is based upon information provided in the Capital Improvement Plan (Appendix E), the Forks Township Strategic Plan FY 2016, the Richmond and Newlins Road Master Park Plan (Appendix H), Forks Township Comprehensive Plan (Appendix J), and staff estimates. Input from the Forks Township Board of Supervisors, Township Manager, Parks and Recreation Department, Parks and Recreation Committee, Recreation Board, Forks Township Youth Sports Organization, Forks Township Planning Commission, Public Works Director, Finance Director, and Zoning Director was utilized to develop this plan.

Appendix A Forks Township Parks and Recreation

Organizational Chart

Appendix A. Orange refers to elected positions. Blue refers to appointed positions. Green refers to paid positions.

Board of Supervisors

Township Manager

Parks and Recreation Director

Recreation Manager

Monitors (PT)

Custodians (PT)

Parks Manager

Parks Crew (FT)

Parks Crew (S)

Recreation Board

Planning Commission

Appendix B Forks Township

Parks and Recreation Inventory 2016

Park Name Acr

eage

Ad

dre

ss

Day

s/H

ou

rs

Am

ph

ith

eate

r

Bas

ebal

l Fie

lds

Bas

ketb

all C

ou

rts

Bat

hro

om

s

Bik

ing

Pat

hs

Co

vere

d S

hel

ter

Elec

tric

ity

Fiel

d H

ock

ey

Fish

ing

Fitn

ess

Wal

k

Foo

tbal

l Fie

lds

Gaz

ebo

Gri

ll

Hik

ing

Pat

hs

Lacr

oss

e Fi

eld

s

Pav

ilio

n

Pet

-Fri

end

ly

Pic

nic

Tab

les

Po

rta-

Po

ttie

s

Skat

e P

ark

Snac

k B

ars

Socc

er F

ield

s

Soft

bal

l Fie

lds

Ten

nis

Co

urt

s

Tot-

Lot

Vo

lleyb

all

Wal

kin

g P

ath

s

Dri

nki

ng

Wat

er A

cces

s

Braden Airport Park 25.13 3520 Sullivan Trail Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk 1 2

Community Park 61.77 500 Zucksville Road Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk (w/Exceptions) 4 1 2 1 10 4 4

Gollub Park 29.54 1300 Paxinosa Road East Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk

Lions Park 5.07 1950 Bushkill Drive Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk

Meco Road Park 19.93 2600 Appian Way Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk 1 3 2 2 1

Penn's Ridge Park 6.08 2755 Penn's Ridge Blvd. Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk 2

Vista Drive Park 2.73 110 Vista Drive Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk 1

Undeveloped Park Land 43 225 Newlins Road East

Recreation Trail Sun-Sat Dawn-Dusk

Appendix C Map of Township Properties

Appendix D Recommendation Timeline

Budget Year Expected

Recommendation 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Forks Township Strategic Plan X X X X X

Recreation Board Goals X X X X X

Parks and Recreation Department

Goals

X X X X X

Technology Enhancements X X X X X

Develop a plan to increase Community

Awareness

X X

Investigate and Implement new

revenue sources

X X X X X

Develop and Conduct Recreation,

Parks, and Open Space Survey

X

Implement Field Maintenance

Program

X X X X X

Implement Five Year Preventative

Maintenance Plan

X X X X X

Review Ordinances X X X X X

Commence FY 2021-2026

Comprehensive 5-Year Strategic Plan

X

Appendix E Capital Improvement Plan FY 2016-2020

Land Acquisition Fund Order of importance:

1. Replace Toro 16 ft. Mower ($83,181) 2. Fitness Center Cardio Upgrade ($30,000) 3. Softball/Baseball Backstop Replacement Field #3, #4 ($34,000) 4. Well Project Continuation ($15,000) 5. Heating/Cooling Unit – FTCC ($23,000) 6. Fitness Center Strength Upgrade ($30,000) 7. Rubber Surfacing – Braden Airport Park Playground ($40,000) 8. Softball Backstop Replacement Field #5 ($15,000) 9. Amphitheater Bathrooms ($150,000) 10. Rubber Surfacing – Penn’s Ridge Playground ($40,000) 11. 5-Acres behind Community Park 12. Explore options and determine costs converting the Wrestling Building into a Multipurpose

Building.

General Fund Order of Importance:

1. Roof for Community Park Pavilion ($15,000) 2. Tennis Court Resurfacing ($16,000) 3. Community Park Parking Lot Maintenance ($60,000) 4. Skate Park Resurface ($8,000) 5. Bike Path ($30,000) 6. Penn’s Ridge Basketball Court Resurface ($10,000) 7. FTCP Basketball Resurface ($5,000)

Disclaimer: The proposed expenditures are projections and will be subject to design, engineering, bid process, and final project plans.

Appendix F Capital Improvement Timeline FY 2016-2020

Budget Year Expected

Property Project Scope 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

FTCC/FTCP Parking Lot Maintenance X X

FTCP Well Project Continuation X

FTCP Backstop Replacements X X

Parks Garage Toro Mower X

FTCP Amphitheater Bathrooms X

Bike Path Surface Maintenance X X X

5-Acre Tract Athletic Fields X

FTCC Heating/Cooling Unit X

Braden Rubber Surfacing X

Penn’s Ridge Rubber Surfacing X

FTCP Roof-Pavilion X

FTCP Skate Park Resurface X

Penn’s Ridge Penn’s Ridge Basketball Court -

resurface

X

FTCP Tennis Court - Resurface X

FTCP Basketball Court - Resurface X

FTCC Fitness Center Upgrades X X

Wrestling

Building

Explore Optional Upgrades –

multipurpose year-round use

X

Appendix G 5-Year Capital Improvement Budget Projection

Revenue 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Anticipated Developer

Contributions $180,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000

Funds needed from Recreation

Capital -$96,819 $29,050 $60,000 $140,000 -$30,000

General Fund Capital Fund $0 $66,000 $43,000 $25,000 $10,000

Total $83,181 $145,050 $153,000 $215,000 $30,000

Expense

Capital Items 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Toro 16 ft Mower $83,181

Bathrooms - Amphitheater $150,000

Heating/Cooling Unit - FTCC $25,000

Fitness Center Strength

Equipment Replacement $30,000

Fitness Center Cardio Equipment

Upgrades $30,000

Rubber Surfacing - Braden

Playground $40,000

Rubber Surfacing - Penn's Ridge

Playground $40,000

Softball Backstops (fields 3,4 & 5) $34,000 $15,000

Well Project Continuation $15,050

5-Acres behind Community Park $20,000

Subtotal $83,181 $79,050 $110,000 $190,000 $20,000

Maintenance Items 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Bike Path $10,000 $10,000 10,000$

Pavilion Roof - FTCP $15,000

Parking Lot Maintenance

Community Park $35,000 25,000$

Penn's Ridge Basketball Court -

Resurface $10,000

Tennis Court - Resurface $16,000

Basketball - Resurface - FTCP $5,000

Skatepark - Resurface $8,000

Subtotal $0 $66,000 $43,000 $25,000 $10,000

Totals $83,181 $145,050 $153,000 $215,000 $30,000

Year End Fund Balance $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

*Approximate Fund Balance End Fiscal 2016

454,000$

Appendix H Richmond and Newlins Road Master Park Plan

Forks Township Municipal Park

Total Construction Cost: $6,750,000 Phase One

1. Vehicular Site Access from Richmond Road 2. Stabilized Parking Area (ADA Accessible) 3. Picnic Grove 4. Loop Trails 5. Meadow Plantings

a. *Can utilize New Public Works Facility for maintenance equipment/storage Phase One Cost: $500,000 Phase Two

1. Bulk Grading 2. Vehicular Access Drive & Parking (Porous Asphalt) 3. Pond 4. Site Utilities (lighting, electrical conduit, & sewer lines) 5. Ongoing Landscape Plantings/Improvements

Phase Two Cost: $2,000,000 Phase Three

1. Construct Permanent Restroom Pavilion 2. Construct Market Building & Terrace 3. Boulder Field (reclaimed from bulk grading) 4. Arboretum Planting 5. Ongoing Landscape Plantings/Improvements

Phase Three Cost: $1,750,000 Phase Four

1. Athletic & Ball Field Installation 2. Tennis and Basketball court paving 3. Construct Maintenance Building and Farm Barn 4. Ongoing Landscape Plantings/Improvements

Phase Four Cost: $2,000,000 Phase Five

1. Wetlands Interpretation & Boardwalk 2. Grass Maze 3. Outdoor Classroom 4. Hockey Rink

Phase Five Cost: $500,000