In the
1999 Update, the Dingman Township
Comprehensive Plan recognized the need
for a public recreational facility
within the boundaries of the Township.
Responding to this need, the Board of
Supervisors imparted on a search for a
suitable site to build a recreational
park.
In 2002,
the Supervisors located a potential
site. However, negotiations were
terminated when a developer purchased
the property for a price much greater
than the Township could afford.
The Supervisors then selected 62 acre
parcel that was located just off Log
Tavern Road. An additional 67
acres were purchased from a neighboring
property owner. Of the 129 acres,
the Supervisors designated 104 acres to
serve as a recreational park with the
remaining acreage set aside for future
use by the Township.
Knowing
that it takes more than land to create a
park, the Board of Supervisors created a
Capital Improvement Fund to finance
construction of the park. A
portion of the Township's Real Estate
Transfer Tax has been put into the Fund
annually since 1999 to ensure ample
resources are available when needed. In
2003, Dingman Township received a Land
Acquisition Grant from the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources to facilitate purchasing of
the property.
By 2004
the Township had hired Thomas McLane
Associates and a Master Plan was
developed for the Park. The Plan was
developed based on the physical nature
of the land as well as extensive input
by the public including information
gleaned from Recreation Board meetings,
two public hearings, and a survey of
over two hundred Township residents.
Developing
a large scale project is a slow process
requiring endless permits and paper
work. Unbeknownst to many,
municipal governments receive no
exemptions from the federal and state
permit programs. In fact, federal
and state program requirements often
increase when a municipal government is
involved. By early 2009, the
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission approved the extensive
archeological survey that is required
for development of municipal lands.
Stormwater approval was granted for the
lower portion of the property and
shortly thereafter the access road was
installed. 2009 also saw the submission
of a planning module for the restroom/snack bar facility and testing for
the stormwater system that will serve
the upper property.
The Board
of Supervisors is anxious to start
construction as soon as possible.
Groundbreaking is expected upon approval
of the planning module and issuance of
the stormwater permits by the Department
of Environmental Protection.
