N. Franklin seeks property to expand park
The North Franklin Township fitness trail
The reservoir along Franklin Farms Road in North Franklin Township.
Plans to expand North Franklin Township Park amenities are progressing after years of deliberation.
Township supervisors applied for a $250,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development to purchase 85 to 90 acres of Pennsylvania-American Water Co. land along Franklin Farms Road.
“There will be nature trails and fishing, that sort of thing,” said solicitor Gary Sweat. “There are very valuable, highly rated wetlands in that area.”
A 2012 engineering report indicated the property is home to every category of wetlands species known in Pennsylvania. The plan includes the extension of public walking trails from the park to two fishing ponds.
Located near Consol Energy Park at 1 Washington Federal Way, the park was renovated in 2010 with a $400,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pavilions, playgrounds and volleyball and horseshoe courts were installed.
Washington County Conservation District earmarked $100,000 for the project with money donated during renovations of Washington Crown Center. Sweat said the township’s intention is to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the township Recreation and Business Improvement Authority, administrator of the park, and the conservation district, to maintain the property.
A representative for the conservation district could not be reached for comment.
“This was always part of the plan,” Sweat said. “Instead of starting with it, we’re ending with it.”
Sweat said a purchase price has not been finalized, but it is about $450,000. If awarded the grant, the township matching fund contribution would be $90,000.
Sweat said the utility company plans to retain a portion of the property that has been subdivided as a storage area.
Pennsylvania-American Water spokeswoman Melissa Walters said in an email the company is in negotiations to sell the property and would retain two acres and an existing building.