Halfmoon Township Parks

Transcription

1 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plans For Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park Prepared for: Halfmoon Township Centre County, PA 100 Municipal Lane Port Matilda, PA August 2015

2 Acknowledgments Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Project Study Committee Susan E. Steele Township Manager D.J. Liggett Centre Regional Planning Karla Thurston Resident Sam Evans Planning Commission Todd Kirsten Supervisor/Chair P&R Board Jeff Martin Planning Commission Jason Little Planning Commission Amy M. Smith Township Clerk Funding for this Master Plan Provided By Halfmoon Township Centre County, PA 100 Municipal Lane Port Matilda, PA Master Planning / Landscape Architecture / Engineering Services Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. 220 St. Charles Way, Suite 200 York, PA Project Number: In Association With Toole Recreation Planning 6081 Honey Hollow Road Doylestown, PA Table of Contents Part 1: Current Scenario Part 2: Master Plan Recommendations Part 3: Implementation and Cost Analysis Part 4: Operations and Management Part 5: Appendices Appendix A: Planning The Park Appendix B: Park Goals and Needs Assessment Appendix C: Site Inventory Appendix D: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Appendix F: Topographic Survey Appendix G: Community Wide Park Survey

3 Part 1: Current Scenario

4 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Current Scenario Introduction Halfmoon Township is a rural area that has long been a major source of agricultural products. This rural atmosphere, with its low population density and proximity to the cultural attractions of Penn State University, has become appealing to people who have historically dwelled in or near a city; consequently, over the past twenty years, the population has increased dramatically, while the farming population has decreased. Still, Halfmoon Township has maintained its rural feeling, with all the associated pros and cons that come with country living. Parks are the crown jewels of municipalities. If designed and managed effectively, they can serve as central gathering places for the community much as Main Street did in years past. Parks are more than just ball fields and playgrounds that children use in the summer they are year-round hubs for creating healthy family bonds, reducing the isolation of the elderly, contributing to youth development, experiencing nature, and building a sense of community. To that end, parks need to be clean, safe, and inviting. As a community grows, parks become increasingly important in meeting the general recreation needs of its residents. Public parks and recreation systems across the state are reporting increases in park visitation, camp reservations, league sports, and summer programs for children. Halfmoon Township s desire to plan for renovations to these two parks could not have come at a better time. Planning for their enhancements, redevelopment, management, and operation will enable the Township to invest wisely, create partnerships, formulate policies, and develop an array of management methods that will make the best use of the limited budget and staff. Parks are an investment not a burden. They bring a return to the community through increased property values, deterrence of crime and juvenile delinquency, and by offering a host of fun things to do close to home for people of all ages and abilities. Parks and recreation puts years in your life and life in your years! Current Scenario Halfmoon Township has grown over the years and continues to transition from a primarily rural farming community to a mix of rural and semi-rural developments. The eastern edge of the community has seen recent growth with several suburban housing developments. However, the Township is still very much a rural area. The Center Region has three regional park complex that are in various stages of development. John Hess Softball Complex, Whitehall Road Regional Park, and Oak Hall Regional Park Halfmoon Township is proud of its parks and recreation facilities. As a small rural community, the Township has undertaken the improvement of township parks in response to community needs and ideas about how to enhance recreational opportunities for the citizens. The Township has worked toward creating recreation opportunities that citizens can use year-round, such as installing a seasonal ice rink in Municipal Park. In order to make the best use of these parks and in order to meet the recreation needs for the future, Halfmoon Township is managing the development of park master plans for both parks at the same time to ensure the holistic, systematic improvement of their public parks. The Township is currently faced with several challenging decisions that are intertwined and affect the ultimate redevelopment of both Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park. The future of the existing township building at Halfmoon Township Park, the potential for a new municipal park and/or complex, and considerations for zoning and sewer revisions in the eastern part of the Township are all issues that will affect the overall general recreation needs of the Township. This master plan is directed to redevelopment efforts specific to Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park only. However, the proposed improvements should be considered in the overall framework and context of acquiring new lands. 2

5 Part 2: Master Plan Recommendations

6 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Throughout the public participation process the idea of achieving a more beautiful and useful park for all ages kept reemerging. This idea was translated into the concept of redeveloping each park site to provide meaningful user experiences. In order to achieve this goal, each park site must be clean and inviting, organized, convenient, well maintained and offer facilities that allow users to enjoy use of their leisure time. Park Design Concept The planning process revealed the basic enhancements and improvements desired by the residents of the Township for the redevelopment of both parks. The Park Master Site Plan for each site was developed in its final form after careful consideration of the site analysis, input from key person interviews and the study committee, alternative redevelopment scenarios for the existing municipal building, and long term operations/management structure scenarios proposed by the Township for consideration. Due to the complexities associated with the redevelopment of the existing municipal building at Halfmoon Township Park, a layered approach to redevelopment of the park is proposed while a more traditional improvement plan is proposed for Autumn Meadow Park. Design Goals Design goals were also developed with consideration of the park vision established by the Project Study Committee, the analysis of the site, the development limitations present, the surrounding land uses, and input received from the public participation process. Those goals included: Enhance the beauty and scale of each park. Make more efficient use of existing facilities. Define public and civic areas. Improve arrival sequences Define parking areas Provide ADA access and pedestrian linkages to all facilities. Incorporate overlay scenarios for the municipal building. Investigate overflow parking opportunities. Relocate the recycling area. Define playground areas. Develop a perimeter loop trail. Utilize landscaping to define areas of the park and add interest and beauty. Define a central hub area for each park. Redevelopment Focus Areas Both parks are well used and the facilities and programs that exist are the product of long-term investment. As a result, the focus of each design was to incorporate new uses that met user needs while complementing the existing park facilities. The existing site constraints and developable area restrictions were important considerations for identifying focus areas for redevelopment in each park. The existing site relationships and access points were also key factors in identifying these key focus areas. These key focus area locations provide the opportunity to greatly enhance the visitor experience and connections throughout each park. Each design seeks to develop continuity and provide opportunities for accessible social and functional hubs. 4

7 Master Plan Recommendations Halfmoon Township Park The focus area in Halfmoon Township Park was identified as the central open space situated between the two ballfields and adjacent to the parking lot. The area is centrally located and is shaded by mature trees creating ideal conditions for the design focus area of the park. A central public plaza in the focus area would define a core destination in the park to improve park experience. Linking to a perimeter looping trail would serve as a connection to existing facilities and provide universal access and interest. Definition of recreational zones would organize and reveal the sequence of recreational options in the park. Strategic plantings would help define space and provide further sensory appeal in the park. Focus Area Halfmoon Township Park Autumn Meadow Park There are two identified focus areas in Autumn Meadow Park. Focus Area A is adjoining the existing public parking lot and extends down the sloped lawn area to the athletic fields below. Focus Area B is adjoining the existing maintenance facility and extends across the open lawn area to the athletic field area. Focus Area A The existing slope has potential to be utilized as terraced seating with stage/amphitheater plaza below. A perimeter looping trail connected to seating and plaza areas would provide access and define the recreational zones in the park as a whole. Expanding the social and passive recreational options in the park while showcasing the existing active recreational areas serves to enhance the overall park experience. Focus Area B The existing open lawn provides the opportunity to expand the maintenance facility and/or incorporate another athletic field and meadow grass area for sensory and lower maintenance purposes. This focus area has the opportunity to add further efficiency to the park. Final Design Halfmoon Township Park The design concept for the redevelopment of Halfmoon Township Park seeks to meet immediate needs for comfort and support facilities for the existing uses, while strategically planning for long-term sustainable improvements. A layered approach is proposed for making improvements to the park based on the ability to effectively manage the day-to-day activities associated with the proposed improvements, and available funding. Additionally this approach provides decision makers the flexibility to consider the all building redevelopment alternatives presented in the building feasibility study within the scope of the park renovation. Focus Area A Autumn Meadow Park Focus Area B 5

8 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Each layer is directly related to the level of commitment and resources needed to successfully implement the proposed improvements. Layers 1, 2, and 3 all assume the existing Township building will remain and be upgraded. These three layers build upon each other, but can also be implemented as individual phases. Layer 4A and 4B build upon layer 3 and provide alternatives for total demolition and removal of the Township Building, or a conversion for use as a community pavilion. Layer 5 is an independent layer that includes the basic upgrades necessary for access and accessibility while providing for improved and expanded parking and the development of additional facilities. Layer 5 also includes costs associated with the improvements of Municipal Lane as outlined in Layer 1. 6

9 Master Plan Recommendations Layer 1 - Municipal Lane Widening Layer 1 provides for improvements to the existing roadway to provide emergency vehicle access to the park and facilitate better vehicular circulation. This layer is independent of the park renovations shown in subsequent layers. Layer 2 - Basic Park Upgrades Layer 2 was developed with the assumption that the existing municipal building will be renovated and remain at the park and continue to function as a municipal building. Accessible parking spaces and an accessible route to the building entry and to each park facility is proposed via a 6 wide paved perimeter trail. Improvements to the existing concession building include a paved plaza to define the area and provide outdoor seating. The existing youth play structure will remain and a new, age appropriate tot lot will be developed. Both structures will include safety surfacing and edge material. A maintained lawn area is proposed at the park entry adjacent to the parking area to provide an open lawn area for informal play and activities. A short soft surface loop trail is proposed through the woods and is intended to be an interpretive trail that includes markers and tree symbols that depict and portray the significance and symbolism of the halfmoon name. Layer 3 - Parking Improvements Layer 3 proposes to redevelop the existing parking area. Porous paving is proposed to minimize runoff and approximately 60 spaces, including the required 3 ADA spaces. 7

10 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Layer 4A - Remove Existing Municipal Building Layer 4A accounts for the demolition of the existing Township Building. In its place a new material storage area for sports equipment and materials is designated. A restroom shelter to accommodate portable toilets is also proposed in the area. An overflow parking area is proposed in the area east of the restroom shelters. Portable Restroom Shelter Design Examples Layer 4B - Pavilion Conversion Layer 4B includes provisions to repurpose the existing Township Building to be utilized as a large community pavilion. In this alternative, the restroom shelter is located away from the pavilion but still in close proximity to the parking and main activity areas. 8

11 Master Plan Recommendations Layer 5 - Expansion Layer 5 expands the park to define a civic space in the park s central core that includes an interpretive nature play space, community plaza space, and a large community pavilion. The interpretive play space is the central focus of the plaza and is flanked by the community pavilion and the concession area. The paved plaza will link the existing concession area with the new pavilion and play area. Pavement and safety surface configuration, textures, and color will create and separate the various gatherings, and play areas. Mounded landscape treatments are proposed adjacent to the parking area to create a buffer and separation. Benches, picnic tables, seat walls, and landscape treatments will complement and connect the areas and provide a comfortable and relaxing space for park users.. The parking area is expanded to provide 90 spaces, including 4 ADA parking spaces. Stadium-style bleachers have been proposed for each of the ball fields. A new storage building is proposed for the existing baseball field, while the existing pavilion is proposed to be enclosed to serve as a storage building for the softball field. Accessible routes to each park facility is proposed via a 6 wide paved perimeter trail. Improvements to the existing concession building include a paved plaza to define the area and provide outdoor seating. The existing youth play structure will remain and a new age appropriate tot lot will be developed. Both structures will be developed to include safety surfacing and edge material. A maintained lawn area is proposed at the park entry adjacent to the parking area to provide an open lawn area for informal play and activities. An interpretive trail that includes markers and tree symbols that depict and portray the significance and symbolism of the halfmoon name will be implemented as the proposed short soft surface looping trail. 9

12 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan What is a Nature Play Space? The idea behind a nature play space is that instead of the standard, cookie cutter metal and plastic structures that make up the bulk of today s playgrounds, people can incorporate the surrounding landscape and vegetation to bring nature to children s daily outdoor play and learning environments. Examples of Nature Play Space Equipment Boulders to climb Streams to dam Ponds to observe aquatic life Logs to practice a balancing act A multi-sensory garden to explore Interpretive / Natural Playscape An iconic-themed play area is proposed as the centerpiece of the community plaza area. The play area is envisioned as a creative and dynamic space that reflects some unique aspects of the local farming community heritage. This play area will function as a secondary play area to be furnished with repurposed farm equipment, natural elements such as climbing boulders, a simple garden to replicating crops, and natural sitting areas. The play area should be designed to give children an alternative option to the traditional playground equipment, while providing an interpretive and educational component. Precedent Playscape Tractor Playground, Bradner Gardens Park, Seattle Design by Barker Landscape Architects Why are Nature Play Spaces Important? Research indicates that when children play and learn in nature, they do so with more vigor, engagement, imagination, and cooperation than in wholly artificial environments and that symptoms of attention deficit and depression are reduced. Source: National Wildlife Federation Site Specific Playscape Opportunity for Interpretive Farming Playground 10

13 Master Plan Recommendations Final Design Autumn Meadow Park The design concept for Autumn Meadow Park provides enhancements to beautify the park, provide convenience amenities, and consider long term maintenance requirements. Access improvements include paving of the existing parking area to define 30 spaces, of which 2 are required for ADA accessibility. Landscape treatments are proposed for the park entry and a park sign designating the park repetitive. The existing recycle bins will be relocated to the adjacent to the maintenance facility. A 6 wide paved trail system is proposed to provide a.30 mile loop system that provides ADA access to all existing and proposed facilities. An outdoor terrace is proposed between the concession storage building and the pavilion. A paved plaza to define the area and provide outdoor seating is proposed. The plaza area is further defined by a low seatwall to the rear and additional pavement between the plaza and the parking area. The design takes advantage of existing slopes between the parking area and the existing multi-purpose field by incorporating a terraced youth playground and tot lot and a terrace seating viewing area. The design of this area is intended to be multi-functional. The terrace seating will provide a viewing areas for sporting events and double as amphitheater seating for community events. The proposed bleacher pad can be programed as a stage for small performances, concerts, and outdoor movies. Autumn Meadow Park Halfmoon Township Centre County, PA M A Improved Entrance with Landscape Treatments N B Existing 1/2 Court Basketball Court, Provide ADA Access to Proposed Walkway System A C Paved Parking with 30 Spaces D Existing Pavilion, Provide ADA Access and Seating B D C H I J K E F G H I J Existing Concession and Storage Park Terrace Tiered Youth Playground and Tot Lot Viewing Hill Garden ADA Field Access and Viewing Area K Bleachers F L M Loop Trail (6 wide, 0.3 miles) Meadow E N Rest Stop O Neighborhood Trail Connection G M L O 11

14 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Terraced Viewing Area Outdoor Terrace An Alternate Design was investigated to provide an additional multipurpose field. However, due to the need for additional parking, ADA access to the area, and the size of the field the recommendation is that this area remain as an open lawn area and continue to serve as overflow parking area. 12

15 Master Plan Recommendations Meadows It is the purpose that the perimeter of the park and the major drainage way through the park be established as a natural meadow. This will increase the biodiversity of the park, while reducing long term maintenance costs associated with mowing. Traditional parks focus on recreational facilities and typically consist of turf grass and very few trees, shrubs, and flowers. Layout and maintenance typically offers limited habitats for wildlife, and often requires considerable inputs of water and nutrients to maintain and contributes to various forms of environmental degradation. The use of native wildflowers and warm season grasses is recommended throughout the park as shown to provide visual interest, provide cover and food for wildlife. The use of species native to Centre County is suggested. Patience is required when establishing warm season grasses and wildflowers. Many wildflowers will not bloom until their second year of growth. Four-to eight-foot wide strips of maintained lawn areas should be provided adjacent to the meadow areas to create a visually pleasing transition to the meadow. Because wildflowers and native grasses have a different appearance in the landscape, it is a good idea to inform park visitors about their use and the landscape and environmental goals for the site. Signs should be placed in the meadows and native grass areas to describe the planting, growing process, and environmental benefits. Flight 93 Memorial, Shanksville, PA 13

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17 Part 3: Implementation and Cost Analysis

18 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan The Following Priority Projects Have Been Identified: Autumn Meadow Park - Priority Improvements Legend A - ADA Parking B - Accessible Route to Facilities C - Accessible Entrance, Amenities, and Plaza D - Access to Basketball Court E - Accessible Viewing Area Halfmoon Township Park - Priority Improvements 4 4 D B C C A B E Implementation and Cost Analysis Park Development The development of the park is anticipated to occur in several phases and stages. Typically, park development is phased based on community need, funding opportunities, logical sequences of construction, and considerations for how the park will function. Implementation strategies for the park are dependent on management and their ability to secure funding, as management will be tasked with developing funding strategies. As funding is available, needs change in the community, or opportunities present themselves, so the sequence of development may change. During the period of time that the plan will be implemented, it is important for the Township to remain flexible and adapt to these changes as they move forward with implementation of the Master Plan. Priority Improvements Under federal regulations, when park and recreation facilities are built or altered, they must comply with the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADA Standards). This applies to features such as accessible parking spaces, accessible routes, accessible restroom facilities, public telephones, and spectator seating areas. The Americans with Disabilities Act also requires a Transition Plan by local and state governments. This plan is intended to outline how local governments will remove barriers to accessibility over time for persons with disabilities and include considerations for improvements, such as installing curb ramps at street intersections and providing accessible routes to park facilities. Under the American with Disabilities Act, all governments with 50 or more employees (full-time and/or part-time) must have a completed an ADA Transition Plan in place. Governments with fewer than 50 employees are not required to have an ADA transition plan, but must continue to remove barriers to access as would be required by an ADA Transition Plan. As of March 15, 2012 all new construction and alterations to existing facilities are required to utilize the new 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, which for the first time in the ADA history, include specific provisions for recreation facilities Optional Loop Priority improvements to be completed as early action items include a playground safety audit and an ADA assessment for each park site to address ADA deficiencies and immediate safety concerns. The playground safety audit will be conducted to identify non-compliant playground equipment to be removed. Upon completion of the ADA assessment for each park, a transition plan should be developed to outline the townships course of action to address ADA roadblocks and barriers. Legend 1 - ADA Parking 2 - Accessible Route to Facilities 3 - Accessible Entrance, Amenities, and Plaza 4 - Accesible Entrance to Athletic Areas 5 - Removal of Non-Regulation Play Equipment Cost Summary Costs for the proposed improvements associated with Layer 1 through Layer 5 for Halfmoon Township Park and Layer 1 for Autumn Meadow Park are summarized below. Halfmoon Township Layers provide options that illustrate the opportunities for various design decisions. Appendix G includes a detail cost estimate for each layer. 16

19 Implementation and Cost Analysis Budget Estimate Summary Halfmoon Township Park Priority Improvement Costs Total = $230,000 - $250,000 Autumn Meadow Park Priority Improvement Costs Total = $260,000 - $280,000 Halfmoon Township Park Layer 1 - Municipal Lane Widening $90,000 - $110,000 + Layer 2 - Basic Park Improvements $270,000 - $290,000 + Layer 3 - Parking Improvements $150,000 - $170,000 Sum = $510,000 - $570,000 Sum + Layer 4A - Remove Existing Municipal Building $125,000 - $140,000 Total = $635,000 - $710,000 Each layer is directly related to the level of commitment and resources needed to successfully implement the proposed improvements. Layers 1, 2, and 3 all account for the existing township building to remain and be upgraded. These three layers build upon each other, but can also be implemented as individual phases. Layer 4A and 4B build upon layer 3 and provide alternatives for total demolition and removal of the Township Building, or a conversion for use as a community pavilion. Layer 5 is an independent layer that includes the basic upgrades necessary for access and accessibility while providing for improved and expanded parking and the development of additional facilities. Layer 5 also includes costs associated with the improvements of Municipal Lane as outlined in Layer 1. OR Sum + Layer 4B - Pavilion Conversion $125,000 - $140,000 Total = $635,000 - $710,000 OR Layer 5 - Major Renovation Total = $1,250,000 - $1,450,000 (Includes Layer 1 - Municipal Lane Widening) Autumn Meadow Park Layer 1 - Major Renovation Total = $570,000 - $590,000 17

20 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Halfmoon Township Park Layers Municipal Lane Widening $90,000 - $110,000 1 Basic Park Upgrades Major Renovation 2 5 $165,000 $270,000 to - $290,000 $185,000 Parking Upgrade Remove Existing Municipal Building $1,250,000 - $1,450,000 Pavilion Conversion 3 4A 4B $150,000 $100,000 - to $170,000 $120,000 $125,000 - to $140,000 $125,000 - to $140,000 18

21 Halfmoon Township Park Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 1 Municipal Lane Widening Implementation and Cost Analysis ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A.1 Municipal Lane $77,000 A.1 Mill Existing Road 2,200 SY $5 $11,000 A.2 6" 2A Base 700 SY $15 $10,500 A.3 2" HMA Binder Course 700 SY $15 $10,500 A.4 1.5" HMA Wearing Course 2800 SY $20 $56,000 A.2 Erosion and Sedimentation 1 LS $10,000 $10,000 A.3 Stormwater Management Allowance 1 LS $25,000 $25,000 SUBTOTAL: $77,000 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $7,700 TOTAL BASE COST : $84,700 1 Professional Design Fees $12, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $4, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $101,640 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 19

22 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Halfmoon Township Park Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 2 Basic Park Upgrades ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A. Site Improvements A.1 General Requirements $10,800 A.1.1 Mobilization 1 LS $1,500 $1,500 A.1.2 Survey/Construction Layout 2 DAY $1,000 $2,000 A.1.3 Submittals/Shop Drawings 2 MONTH $400 $800 A.1.4 Entrance Sign/Funding Acknowledgment 1 EA $1,500 $1,500 A.1.5 Bonding 1 LS $5,000 $5,000 A.2 Site Preparation and Demolition $4,500 A.2.1 Strip and Stockpile Topsoil (6" deep) 250 CY $4.00 $1,000 A.2.2 Remove Non-Compliant Play Structures 1 LS $4,500 $4,500 A.3 Erosion and Sedimentation $8,000 A " Compost Filter Sock 1,200 LF $5.00 $6,000 A.3.2 Rock Construction Entrance 1 EA $2,000 $2,000 A.4 Earthwork $2,100 A.4.1 Bulk Excavation and Fill A Bulk Cut (Common Earth) 300 CY $3 $900 A Bulk Fill (Common Earth) 300 CY $4 $1,200 Balance: CY A.5 Pavements $9,150 A.5.1 Concrete Pavement 750 SF $9 $6,750 A.5.2 ADA Spaces Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 60 SY $40 $2,400 A.6 6' Wide Trail $54,000 A.6.1 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 1,350 SY $40 $54,000 A.7 Stormwater Management Allowance 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 A.8 Interpretive Trail $17,625 A.8.1 Signage Allowance 1 LS $5, $5,000 A.8.2 6' Wide Stone Dust Trail 2525 SF $5.00 $12,625 A.9 Site Amenities $5,200 A.9.1 ADA Picnic Tables 4 EA $850 $3,400 A.9.2 Benches 2 EA $900 $1,800 A.10 Youth Playground $2,800 C.10.1 Concrete Curb Edging 100 LF $20 $2,000 C.10.2 Safety Surface (Mulch) 50 CY $16 $800 A.11 Tot Lot $25,200 C.11.1 Play Equipment (2-5 Year Old) 1 EA $16,000 $16,000 C.11.2 Installation 1 LS $6,400 $6,400 C.11.3 Concrete Curb Edging 100 LF $20 $2,000 C.11.4 Safety Surface (Mulch) 50 CY $16 $800 20

23 Implementation and Cost Analysis SUBTOTAL: $214,375 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $21,438 TOTAL BASE COST : $235,813 1 Professional Design Fees $35, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $11, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $282,975 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 21

24 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Halfmoon Township Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 3 Parking Improvements ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A.1 Pavements $124,000 A.1 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 3,100 SY $40 $124,000 SUBTOTAL: $124,000 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $12,400 TOTAL BASE COST : $136,400 1 Professional Design Fees $20, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $6, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $163,680 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 22

25 Halfmoon Township Park Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 4A Remove Existing Municipal Building Implementation and Cost Analysis ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A.1 Site Preparation and Demolition $83,700 A.1.1 Repair and reseed 300 CY $5.00 $1,500 A.1.2 Remove Trees 9 EA $500 $4,500 A.1.3 Grind and Remove Stumps 9 EA $300 $2,700 A.1.4 Demo Existing Building 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 A.2 Porta Potty Enclosure $15,000 A.2.1 Enclosure 1 LS $15, $15,000 SUBTOTAL: $98,700 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $9,870 TOTAL BASE COST : $108,570 1 Professional Design Fees $16, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $5, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $130,284 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 23

26 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Halfmoon Township Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 4B Pavilion Conversion ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A.1 Convert Existing Struture to Pavilion $85,000 A.1.1 Remediation 1 LS $55, $55,000 A.1.2 Pavilion Conversion 1 LS $30,000 $30,000 A.2 Porta Potty Enclosure $15,000 A.2.1 Enclosure 1 LS $15, $15,000 SUBTOTAL: $100,000 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $10,000 TOTAL BASE COST : $110,000 1 Professional Design Fees $16, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $5, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $132,000 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 24

27 Halfmoon Township Park Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 5 Major Renovation Implementation and Cost Analysis ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A. Site Improvements A.1 General Requirements $19,600 A.1.1 Mobilization 1 LS $4,500 $4,500 A.1.2 Survey/Construction Layout 4 DAY $1,000 $4,000 A.1.3 Submittals/Shop Drawings 4 MONTH $400 $1,600 A.1.4 Entrance Sign/Funding Acknowledgment 1 EA $1,500 $1,500 A.1.5 Bonding 1 LS $8,000 $8,000 A.2 Site Preparation and Demolition $2,000 A.2.1 Strip and Stockpile Topsoil (6" deep) 500 CY $4.00 $2,000 A.3 Erosion and Sedimentation $19,000 A " Compost Filter Sock 3,000 LF $5.00 $15,000 A.3.2 Rock Construction Entrance 2 EA $2, $4,000 A.4 Earthwork $10,500 A.4.1 Bulk Excavation and Fill A Bulk Cut (Common Earth) 1,500 CY $3 $4,500 A Bulk Fill (Common Earth) 1,500 CY $4 $6,000 Balance: CY A.5 Pavements $259,200 A.5.1 Concrete Plaza - Halfmoon 3,200 SF $9 $28,800 A.5.2 Concrete Plaza - Concessions 1,600 SF $9 $14,400 A.5.3 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base - Parking 5,000 SY $40 $200,000 A.5.4 Decorative pavers 800 SF $20 $16,000 A.6 6' Wide Trail $68,000 A.6.1 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 1,700 SY $40 $68,000 A.7 Interpretive Trail $17,625 A.7.1 Signage Allowance 1 LS $5, $5,000 A.7.2 6' Wide Stone Dust Trail 2525 SF $5.00 $12,625 A.8 Stormwater Management Allowance 1 LS $95,000 $95,000 A.9 Landscaping $20,930 A.9.1 Spread Topsoil 6" Thick, Fine Grade, Fertilize 650 SY $2.20 $1,430 A.9.2 General Lawn Seeding SF $0.15 $4,500 A.9.3 Shrubs 150 EA $60.00 $9,000 A.9.4 Grasses/Potted Plants 200 EA $30.00 $6,000 A.10 Bleachers $36,200 A.10.1 Portable Bleachers (100 Person Capacity each) 200 SEAT $100 $20,000 A.10.2 Bleacher Pads 1,800 SF $9 $16,200 A.11 Site Amenities $7,000 A.11.1 ADA Picnic Tables 4 EA $850 $3,400 A.11.2 Benches 4 EA $900 $3,600 25

28 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan A.12 Youth Playground $3,960 C.11.3 Concrete Curb Edging 150 LF $20 $3,000 C.11.4 Safety Surface (Mulch) 60 CY $16 $960 A.13 Tot Lot $30,800 C.12.1 Play Equipment (2-5 Year Old) 1 EA $20,000 $20,000 C.12.2 Installation 1 LS $8,000 $8,000 C.12.3 Concrete Curb Edging 100 LF $20 $2,000 C.12.4 Safety Surface (Mulch) 50 CY $16 $800 A.14 Concession Building 1 LS $150,000 $150,000 A.15 Storage Buildings Building 1 LS $50,000 $50,000 A.16 Porta Potty Enclosure $15,000 A.16.1 Enclosure 1 LS $15,000 $15,000 A.17 Community Pavilion 20X40 $52,529 A.17.1 Pavilion 1 LS $25,000 $25,000 A.17.2 Pavilion-Concrete Pad 140 SY $70.00 $9,800 A.17.3 Installation 1 LS $10, $10,000 A.17.4 Concrete Footers 6 EA $ $3,000 A.17.5 Electrical Service-Pavilion Area A Light Fixture 6 EA $ $2,100 A Panelboard 1 EA $1, $1,275 A Conduit & Wire, Direct Buried 50 LF $12.40 $620 A Conduit & Wire, Exposed 60 LF $12.23 $734 A.17 Iconic Play Feature 1 LS $25,000 $25,000 A.18 Relocated Baseball Amenities 1 LS $12,000 $12,000 A.19 Municipal Lane $77,000 A.19.1 Mill Existing Road 2,200 SY $5 $11,000 A " 2A Base 700 SY $15 $10,500 A " HMA Binder Course 700 SY $15 $10,500 A " HMA Wearing Course 2800 SY $20 $56,000 SUBTOTAL: $953,719 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $95,372 TOTAL BASE COST : $1,049,091 1 Professional Design Fees $157,364 2 Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $52,455 TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $1,258,909 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. 26

29 Implementation and Cost Analysis JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 27

30 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Autumn Meadow Park Improvements Budget Estimate - Layer 1 Major Renovation ITEM DESCRIPTION EST. UNITS UNIT TOTAL QTY. PRICE COST A. Site Improvements A.1 General Requirements $10,800 A.1.1 Mobilization 1 LS $1,500 $1,500 A.1.2 Survey/Construction Layout 2 DAY $1,000 $2,000 A.1.3 Submittals/Shop Drawings 2 MONTH $400 $800 A.1.4 Entrance Sign/Funding Acknowledgment 1 EA $1,500 $1,500 A.1.5 Bonding 1 LS $5,000 $5,000 A.2 Site Preparation and Demolition $1,800 A.2.1 Strip and Stockpile Topsoil (6" deep) 450 CY $4.00 $1,800 A.3 Erosion and Sedimentation $16,500 A " Compost Filter Sock 2,500 LF $5.00 $12,500 A.3.2 Rock Construction Entrance 2 EA $2, $4,000 A.4 Earthwork $5,250 A.4.1 Bulk Excavation and Fill A Bulk Cut (Common Earth) 750 CY $3 $2,250 A Bulk Fill (Common Earth) 750 CY $4 $3,000 Balance: CY A.5 Pavements $108,600 A ' Wide -4" Concrete Viewing Area 1,800 SF $9 $16,200 A.5.2 4" Concrete Walk & Pavilion Pad extensions 1,600 SF $9 $14,400 A.5.3 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 1,600 SY $40 $64,000 A.5.4 Decorative pavers 700 SF $20 $14,000 A.6 6' Wide Trail $76,000 A.6.1 Porous Bituminous Paving and Base 1,900 SY $40 $76,000 A.7 Stormwater Management Allowance 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 A.8 Landscaping $25,220 A.8.1 Spread Topsoil 6" Thick, Fine Grade, Fertilize 350 SY $2.20 $770 A.8.2 General Lawn Seeding 5000 SF $0.15 $750 A.8.3 Deciduous Trees 10 EA $ $5,000 A.8.4 Evergreen Trees 10 EA $ $4,750 A.8.5 Small Trees 8 EA $ $2,200 A.8.6 Shrubs 75 EA $60.00 $4,500 A.8.7 Grasses/Potted Plants 75 EA $30.00 $2,250 A.8.8 Perennial Garden 1 LS $5, $5,000 A.9 Retaining Walls $35,000 A.9.1 Modular Retaining Wall System 1250 SF $28 $35,000 A.10 Bleachers $22,250 A.10.1 Portable Bleachers (100 Person Capacity each) 200 SEAT $55 $11,000 A.10.2 Bleacher Pads 1,250 SF $9 $11,250 A.11 Site Amenities $4,300 Page 1 of 2 28

31 Implementation and Cost Analysis A.11.1 ADA Picnic Tables 4 EA $850 $3,400 A.11.2 Benches 1 EA $900 $900 A.12 Youth Playground $34,280 C.11.1 Play Equipment (5-12 Year Old) 1 EA $22,000 $22,000 C.11.2 Installation 1 LS $8,800 $8,800 C.11.3 Concrete Curb Edging 130 LF $20 $2,600 C.11.4 Safety Surface (Mulch) 55 CY $16 $880 A.13 Tot Lot $25,200 C.12.1 Play Equipment (2-5 Year Old) 1 EA $16,000 $16,000 C.12.2 Installation 1 LS $6,400 $6,400 C.12.3 Concrete Curb Edging 100 LF $20 $2,000 C.12.4 Safety Surface (Mulch) 50 CY $16 $800 SUBTOTAL: $440,200 10% DESIGN CONTINGENCY: $44,020 TOTAL BASE COST : $484,220 1 Professional Design Fees $72, Construction Contingency Fund (5%) $24, TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE $581,064 Note: Probable cost for site work does not include the following: 1. Rerouting gas, CATV, or phone lines. Additional improvements as may be required by municipal or other reviewing agencies having jurisdiction 2. Utility service and or connection fees. 3. Utility service extension to the park 4. Removal of unsuitable materials, sink hole remediation, or archeological investigations or phase services. 5. Project financing costs 6. Site renovations or repairs beyond the boundary of the park. JMT, Inc. is not a construction contractor and therefore probable construction cost opinions are based solely upon our experience with construction. This requires JMT to make a number of assumptions as to actual conditions which will be encountered on the site; the specific decisions of other design professionals engaged; the means and methods of construction the contractor will employ; contractors' techniques in determining prices and market conditions at the time, and other factors over which JMT has no control. Given these assumptions which must be made, JMT states that the above probable construction cost opinion is a fair and reasonable estimate for construction costs. 29

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33 Part 4: Operations Management and Financing

34 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Introduction Halfmoon Township s Parks and Recreation System Halfmoon Township has two parks with a total of acres. Autumn Meadow has acres. Halfmoon Township Park has 9.6 acres. Facilities include the following: Halfmoon Township Park Two Diamond Fields Municipal Building Tennis Court Portable Ice Skating Rink Play Equipment Parking Benches Autumn Meadow Rectangular Field Concession/Storage Building Half Basketball Court Pavilion Parking Township Government Halfmoon Township is governed in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Code of Laws for a Second Class Township. The five member Board of Supervisors is the chief elected body that sets forth policy and makes all decisions for Halfmoon Township. Townships have the power to provide, improve, maintain and regulate public parks, playgrounds, playing fields and recreation centers. In Halfmoon Township, a Parks and Recreation Board was formed to function in an advisory capacity to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors in determining the amounts and kinds of recreation most needed by its citizens. The Board also has the responsibility to equip, operate, and maintain recreation facilities. The Parks and Recreation Board meets monthly, with dates determined by the board members. As part of the master planning process, Halfmoon Township identified the importance of planning for the future operations, programming, and support of its two public parks. About 75 percent of the cost of a park over its lifetime goes to operations and maintenance. By addressing operations and maintenance during the planning, the Township will be able to make informed decisions about implementing the recommendations of the park master plans, the allocation of resources, budgeting, staffing, and partnerships. In developing this Operations, Management, and Financing Plan, the consulting team worked with the Study Committee, interviewed key stakeholders, and coordinated with the Township Manager. Township Organization and Staffing Halfmoon Township has a small staff of six full-time employees, including the Township Manager, Zoning Officer, Township Clerk, Roadmaster, Public Works Laborer, and Accounts Payable Receivable Clerk. The Township Manager, Roadmaster, and Public Works Laborer are the three employees that directly manage and maintain the parks and recreation facilities. The Township employs two part-time seasonal maintenance workers for public properties. Public Works cares for all public properties, including the parks. Township Manager / Secretary / Treasurer The Township Manager is responsible for the implementing the policies set forth by the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and Carrying out all administrative functions of Township Government. The Secretary/ Treasurer is appointed by the BOS. He or she carries out the policies of the Board and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Township. The Treasurer is responsible for proper accounting and reporting of all financial activities of the Township. He or she prepares the budget and provides financial information to the BOS. The Secretary and Treasurer positions may be combined as one position or appointed as two separate positions. Roadmaster The Road Master is responsible for maintenance of township roads and bridges, snow and ice removal, drainage projects, traffic controls, and upkeep of all motorized equipment. Public Works Laborer The Public Works Laborer assists the Roadmaster in all projects and managers these projects when the Road master is not available. Seasonal Maintenance Workers The Township hires seasonal workers to maintain public properties, including the parks and recreation facilities. 32

35 Operation, Management, and Financing Halfmoon Township Parks and Recreation Board The Halfmoon Township Parks and Recreation Board serves in an advisory capacity in managing the municipal parks and recreation. The Board consists of seven members, all appointed by the BOS for five-year terms in conformance with the state codes for Townships of the Second Class. Recreation Programs and Services The Halfmoon Township Parks and Recreation Board provides several special events throughout the year. These include an Easter Party for children and two movie nights for people of all ages. At one time, the Board also offered a summer recreation program for children and youth. Other Providers of Recreation Programs and Services Centre Region Parks and Recreation A multi-municipal parks and recreation consortium managed by a staff of parks and recreation professionals, Centre Region Parks and Recreation offers recreation facilities, programs, and services that residents of Halfmoon Township can use. Organized Sports Leagues Many leagues are available in the region for adults and children, both males and females. These leagues include baseball, softball (fast pitch and slow-pitch) lacrosse, volleyball, bocce, basketball, flag football, coed sports, football, flag football, cheerleading, basketball, rugby, and Special Olympics training. Little League Baseball rules have changed resulting in the Halfmoon Little League shifting to the State College Little League. Recreational and instructional programs for aquatics and tennis are also available in the area. Faith Based Institutions Area faith-based institutions provide recreation opportunities such as summer concerts. Penn State University Located near Penn State University, residents of the Township can avail themselves to the many community-based programs offered in the region. Pennsylvania State Gamelands Halfmoon Township s 14,000 acres includes 3,000 acres of state Gamelands. Gameland 176 provides close-to-home nature based recreation opportunities, including hunting, hiking, wildlife watching, nature photography, and just plain getting away from it all. Gameland 176 is an important location for wildlife habitat and corridors. Township Roles in Parks and Recreation As a small rural community of about 2,700, the Township s role in recreational development must be based upon its capacity, with a focus on quality of services rather than quantity of activities provided. The Township provides parks and recreation opportunities in three ways: Direct Provider of Recreation Opportunities The volunteers of the Parks and Recreation Board concentrate on special events for the community as a whole. Without staff, to plan manage and direct programs, events and activities, it is not possible to provide any other programs and services. Facilitator of Recreation Halfmoon Township facilitates the recreation opportunities offered by other community organizations by providing the facilities as the venue for recreation programs. Recreation Advisor Halfmoon Township serves as the source of information about recreation opportunities available in the region. For example, the Township s website posts information about community events and activities such as summer concerts. 33

36 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Financing In 2015, the Halfmoon Township budget was $908,041 for general operating expenses. The 2014 budget provided the most recent source of information for parks and recreation expenditures. Table 1 presents the 2014 parks and recreation operating budget. Note that it does not include the $30,000 for the park s Master Plans, as that is a one-time expense not to be considered as part of the regular operating budget. Table 1. Halfmoon Township Parks and Recreation Operating Budget 2014 Income Budget Park Rentals $375 Meeting Room Rentals $247 Earned Income Tax (EIT) $33,994 Total Income $34,616 Expense Manager Salary $6,472 Trash $1,080 Porta Pottie Rentals $2,400 Roadmaster Salary $7,424 Parks Seasonal Help $3,600 Public Works FT $5,228 Parks and Recreation Supplies $600 Parks and Recreation Equipment Maintenance $3,500 Park Repairs and Maintenance (Grounds) $2,000 Ballfield Lights $400 Employee Taxes $1,912 Total Expenses $34,616 Budget Benchmarks Ratio of Township Budget and Per Capita Investment With a total operating budget of $34,616 for parks and recreation and a Township operating budget of $908,042, Halfmoon Township is spending about 3.8 percent of its budget on recreation. Statewide the average municipal investment in parks and recreation as a function of the overall municipal budget is about three percent. Municipalities managing very successful parks and recreation systems allocate a minimum of five percent of the municipal operating budget to parks and recreation. With a population of 2,667 (2010 Census), the Township is spending about $12.97 on recreation per capita. In Pennsylvania, the average municipal investment is about $30 per capita. Nationwide, it is $80 per capita. 34

37 Operation, Management, and Financing Maintenance Costs Per Acre In park maintenance, Halfmoon Township is spending about $1,710 per acre. According to the NRPA s 2015 report on parks and recreation system budgets nationwide, the average for municipalities in rural areas averages $1,339 per acre for municipalities with population densities under 250 people per square mile. Halfmoon Township has about 127 people per square mile. The average cost per park acre for municipalities regardless of size nationwide is $7,666. Workers Per Acre of Parkland Halfmoon Township has about 2/3 of one full-time equivalent worker to take care of acres of parkland. Generally, municipalities have one full-time equivalent worker for every 13.5 acres of parkland. With about 20 acres of parkland, the benchmark would be about 1.5 fulltime equivalent workers for Halfmoon Township. Parkland Needed Nationwide, municipalities have about 8.3 acres per thousand residents equating to about 22 acres for a population of Halfmoon Township s size. According to this benchmark, Halfmoon Township is falling short by 2.12 acres based on 2010 population. It is assumed that the 2015 population is higher than the 2010 population, which means a greater shortfall than 2.12 acres. The amount of parkland is not the only factor in determining a community s parkland needs. Other factors such as location, accessibility, condition, and facilities also need to be considered. With Halfmoon Township s growth potential, planning for another park should be considered. The Halfmoon Township Park, Sports Fields and Recreation Plan of 2009 recommends another 26 acres of parkland. However, as stated the amount of parkland is not the only factor. A large community park or sports complex ideally has 50+ acres. This allows for a mix of active and passive facilities that includes areas for play, sports, fitness, and socializing, along with natural areas to connect people to the outdoors. Non-Tax Revenues Generated Halfmoon Township Parks and Recreation generated about $622 in facility rentals in This is about two percent of the parks and recreation budget. The average is about 27%. However, without significant revenue generating facilities, programs or services, it will be a challenge for Halfmoon Township to generate significant non-tax revenue. Making Sense of Benchmarks This information merely presents some benchmarks in order to help frame parks and recreation planning in Halfmoon Township. The figures are not inherently good or bad, but instead offer perspective for considering how to move forward. They do not include the value of volunteers who contribute knowledge, time, and support for public parks and recreation in Halfmoon. The 2014 value of a volunteer hour is about $22.63 in Pennsylvania according to the Independent Sector August 1,

38 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Findings and Implications About Parks and Recreation Operations The interviews and assessment on parks and recreation maintenance have established a framework regarding the challenges and opportunities facing the revitalization of Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow. This framework forms the basis for the strategy and recommendations for the park master plan. The key findings include the following: 1. With an austere budget overall, Halfmoon Township allocates a higher percentage of its operating budget to parks and recreation than the statewide average. However, because of the size of the budget, the per capita investment is about 43 percent less than the statewide average. The Township is making effective use of the funds because the parks look clean and safe. 2. In accordance with community preferences, park maintenance is currently focused on the active recreation areas, specifically on ballfield maintenance and mowing. Natural areas are not managed unless a public health or safety issue emerges 3. The Township would need another full-time equivalent worker and some additional seasonal help to meet the national benchmark. This would enable the Township to direct resource to park maintenance tasks not currently undertaken, such as natural resource management and a turf management program for the ballfields. 4. The dilemma for Halfmoon Township in terms of park maintenance is that information that quantifies the requirements of existing park maintenance labor, equipment, and supplies is not available. This is not a criticism, rather it is typical of any municipality with a growing park system. When municipalities are in the growth stages of their park operations, they must fit in park maintenance responsibilities with existing municipal functions such as Public Works and Roads and do the best they can with what they have to work with. The development of a workload cost tracking system takes considerable time and effort. Since it is unlikely that Halfmoon Township (like most municipalities in Pennsylvania) would ever have sufficient budget to adhere to industry best practices for regular park maintenance, it will be important to prioritize maintenance requirements, seek alternative sources of funding, and find partners for park facilities and programs. 5. There is no plan in place for natural resource management, and the Township does not have the resources at present to address natural resources management. 6. The Township building in Halfmoon Township Park is likely to be vacated when a new Township building is built in the future. As part of the planning for the future, it will be important to develop a plan for the existing building, perhaps through expanded rentals and programs that would work toward cost recovery for operations. 36

39 Operation, Management, and Financing 7. In terms of recreation and park usage, programs are the key to great park attendance. The public is more likely to visit parks if they are attending a program. Fewer programs in parks result in less usage, and less public support. Lack of support leads to diminished budgets which have a greater impact on underutilized parks. Although Halfmoon Township is not part of Centre Region Parks and Recreation, it may be possible to work out a programming partnership with Centre Region. If Centre Region plans and operates Halfmoon Township Parks, it would help to offset their program operating costs. 8. While Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow provide important recreation opportunities for the community now, the Township does not currently have enough parkland for the future. Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow will not be able to serve the needs of the community by themselves over the long term. At least one more park on the western side of the Township, near where development is expected to build, should be considered. Where We Want to Be with Parks in Halfmoon Township Halfmoon Township is in the process of planning the revitalization of its major community parks. Fortunately, the level of public support and interest in the Township parks appears to be high. Research into successful park and recreation systems elsewhere, as conducted by the Trust for Public Land and the National Recreation & Park Association, offers guidance for how Halfmoon Township can organize its operations for parks and recreation in the future. The factors common in successful award winning parks and recreation systems throughout the United States include the following: Parks must rank high on the political agenda to get funded.2 The public is involved in the planning, design, and operation of the park. Park designs convey a strong vision and purpose for the park. The parks are programmed with many varied activities for visitors of all ages. The parks and each of their facilities are safe and clean. Clean, attractive appearance is crucial to a park s success and positive perception by the public and the business community. A mix of public and private funding sources support park improvements and operation. Community parks are an organizing element for initiatives such as economic development, neighborhood improvement, increasing livability of the municipality, tourism and so on. 37

40 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Parks and recreation departments, advisory boards, directors, and staff must play a leadership role in insuring that parks are part of overall community and economic planning.3 2 Harnik, Peter. (2000) Inside City Parks. Washington, D.C.: Trust for Public Land. p xi. 3 Garvin, Alexander and Berens, Gayle. (1997) Urban Parks and Open Space. (New York: Urban Land Institute) pp These factors can serve as a guide for Halfmoon Township s parks and recreation system. The key recommendations detailed below and based upon these factors were derived from the involvement of the Master Plan Study Committee, input from township management, key person interviews, and the consulting team. 1. ESTABLISH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PARKS WITH A VISION AND MISSION Elected and appointed officials need to have a clear vision for the parks in order to get behind and support them. In defining the vision and mission for Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow, the community public participation process identified important values as the foundation for planning and operating the park. These included: Values Safety and security, both for citizens and properties, Scenic beauty and attractiveness of the parks is key, Importance of meeting community needs, Emphasis of facilities and services is on quality not quantity, Fiscal responsibility with respect to being a small rural community with limited resources, and Contributions to the outstanding quality of life of Halfmoon Township through parks and recreation. 2. CONTINUE TO INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN PARK PLANNING, DESIGN, AND OPERATION. Public support is vital to park success. The Parks and Recreation Board working in collaboration with the Board of Supervisors will be a major force in advancing the revitalization of Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow. Continue to involve the public in park planning as the Master Plans are phased in over time. Consider the establishment of a Park Friends Group to support the parks and their future improvements, programming, and operation. Join the Pennsylvania Parks and Recreation Society to take advantage of the information, training, and networking the Society offers to communities in improving their parks and recreation systems. 38

41 Operation, Management, and Financing Membership would enable the Township to take advantage of a no match grant program of $2500 called RecTAP. The RecTAP grant can be used to solve a problem, tackle an issue, or seize an opportunity. It enables the Township to address a specific issue in a relatively short time frame. Projects that the Township could consider would be the establishing of a Park Friends Groups, addressing a fundraising initiative, workload cost tracking for maintenance and other subjects. 3. IMPLEMENT THE PARK MASTER PLANS. To be successful follow the recommendations in phasing in the park improvements. Continue the momentum begun in the master planning process by developing a work plan for year one. Consider applying for two grants in the first year in order to stoke momentum: the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. These grants can be used to match each other. Look for other community champions to take on a planning element of individual park features such as the playground or a pavilion that lend themselves to partnerships. Continue to publicize advances in the parks through articles in the newspaper, newsletters, website, and social media. Consider having the Parks and Recreation Board lead information dissemination and outreach to increase public awareness of the benefits of Halfmoon Township s parks. 4. MAKE THE PARKS LIVELY PLACES WITH MANY RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. The RAND Corporation was recently commissioned to study the use of parks and found that the number one factor in increase the use of public parks was programming. Programs and recreation opportunities will make the parks active, lively places for people to enjoy the outdoors. Continue to provide special events through the Parks and Recreation Board. Consider reaching out to Centre Region Parks and Recreation to determine how to partner on programming in a way that will be of mutual benefit. Continue to work with other providers in using the parks as venues for recreation programs such as sports leagues, community fairs, movies, concerts, and other activities. Work toward becoming the go-to source of information about recreation in the area, including referrals to other providers of recreational services and facilities. The parks provide for the following facilities that people of all ages can enjoy at their own discretion on their own schedules: 39

42 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Halfmoon Township s Vision for Community Parks Halfmoon Township s parks and recreation facilities will help to build a sense of community by providing residents with opportunities to connect with nature and experience fun, fitness, and relaxation in a beautiful outdoor setting. Trails Walking is a chief form of exercise in the United States. The Center for Disease Control has called upon communities to develop safe and attractive pathways for people to use throughout their lifetime for fitness and wellness. This will help people of all ages to engage in an enjoyable activity that will extend their lives and enable them to be healthier, happier and more productive citizens. The trails in this park will be an attractive location for walking for; fitness, fun, and nature enjoyment. Enjoyment of Nature Halfmoon Township Park has a wonderful woodland area. The new park design makes this a centerpiece of the park, which people can enjoy during their visit. Fitness/Wellness Fitness extends lives, improves self-image, reduces health care costs, reduces isolation, and makes people happier. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the top public health issue is the lack of physical activity. One of the most important things that communities can do to help is to provide attractive, accessible areas for people to walk, jog, and run. The active recreation facilities in both parks will enable citizens to engage in organized play such as leagues and events as well as selfdirected opportunities that people can enjoy at their own discretion. Playgrounds will help families to cultivate a love of physical activity. Pavilions The pavilions will provide a venue for community gatherings for families, friends, and businesses. They also offer revenue potential through fees and charges. Family Play According to a survey by Money Magazine, traditional goals for health and money are taking a back seat to the desire to spend more time with the people we love. The top goals among those surveyed included: Spend more time with family and friends (30 %) Get healthier (19%) Manage money better (18%) Pursue enjoyable activities (17%) Improve career (12%) The Master Plans offer great public spaces for families and friends to enjoy time together. Play areas, places to sit and socialize, and community gathering areas are expected to be destinations for people of all ages from young children to grandparents for visits with their grandchildren. The parks will foster community stewardship and provide lifetime memories for park visitors. 40

43 Operation, Management, and Financing Special Events Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow can accommodate the Township s special events such as the Easter Party and movie nights as well as other future programs, events and activities. The Parks and Recreation Board, community groups, and non-profit organizations could continue to hold such events in collaboration with the Township. Geogaming While not currently Geogaming sites, both parks could potentially host Geogame locations. Geogaming is a real-world, outdoor, treasure-hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container), a letter or a location hidden at that location. This is an activity that the Parks and Recreation Board can facilitate, does not require extensive time, and lends itself to volunteer support. Self-Directed Activities With the hectic lives we all lead, having a place to go on our own is important. Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow offer important respite for people to enjoy at their own discretion. 5. ESTABLISH A STANDARDIZED MAINTENANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Maintenance is the single largest recurring expenditure in parks and recreation. Over the lifetime of a park, about 75 percent of its cost is in maintenance while only about 25 percent is in acquisition, development, design, and construction (Lay, 1978).4 Maintenance management is the process by which Halfmoon Township would plan, direct, and control the care of parks and recreation facilities. Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow should reflect an effective level of service; an inviting, clean, and attractive appearance; the reality of fiscal and human resource limitations of Halfmoon Township; and recognition that volunteers and partners are key to the effective operation of these parks. There is a tendency among municipalities to expect that the maintenance crews will absorb the additional workload created by new, improved or additional recreation facilities. This is especially true when the workforce is dedicated and passionate about the quality of its work. Based upon customary practices, the maintenance crew should include 1.5 full-time equivalent workers if all of the functions of a maintenance system including workload cost tracking and reporting and natural resource management functions are undertaken. Staff increases are meant to be phased in over time as resources allow and the parks are improved. If the Township cannot afford to maintain a facility or have an alternative means of maintaining it, that facility should be put on hold until adequate resources are available. Routine scheduled maintenance provides the foundation for effective park security and risk management. A park that is well designed and well maintained attracts visitors. When park visitors see that a facility receives good care, the risk of vandalism and other undesirable social behaviors 41

44 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan tends to diminish. Parks that are not well tended get fewer visitors and higher levels of vandalism. Establish Maintenance Goals The following principles (which the Township now appears to use intuitively without formal written statements) can help guide the Township s maintenance management practices. These principles would apply to municipal employees and contractors, as well as volunteers who assume responsibility for park maintenance tasks. 1. All maintenance will be accomplished in a manner displaying respect and concern for the environment as well as public and private property. Maintenance practices that are rooted in a strong conservation ethic are to be instituted. 2. Maintenance tasks will be accomplished in a way that does not endanger the health or safety of the employees nor the public. 3. All maintenance tasks will be performed as quickly and economically as possible without any loss in efficiency. 4. All equipment and materials will be operated and maintained in such as way as to insure safe, effective use and long life. 5. Work will be scheduled in such a manner as to make the most use of the resources of other community organizations who are involved or who may become involved. 6. Preventive maintenance will be used in a continuing effort to avoid major problems and correct minor ones. 7. All maintenance work will be performed with a sense of pride. With a maintenance plan in place, there will be a clearly defined goals and operations. Making a repair in an emergency costs seven times as much as it does to perform the task on a routine basis. It is far more efficient and effective to perform park maintenance on a planned and scheduled basis. On-going maintenance also prevents the need for costly rehabilitation that results from deferred maintenance. 4 Lay, Francis Management of Grounds or Site Operations Manual, Manual of Site Management, Environmental Design Press. p4. Importance of Quantifying Maintenance Over the years that Halfmoon Township has been maintaining public parks, the maintenance requirements have become somewhat normalized. They could be quantified in order to estimate the cost of new park development or improvements should the Township deem necessary. Developing maintenance standards would help to strengthen the capability of the Township, the Parks and Recreation Board, the Board of Supervisors, and Township Management to secure the resources necessary to perform these maintenance functions. Having real park maintenance costs also helps in setting fees and charges such as pavilion rentals and ballfield rentals, especially those with lighting. This information will also help in planning the phasing in of the master plan and other park developments or improvements. Information that can be quantified includes: Workload Labor requirements and contracted services Material and Supply requirements Equipment Utilities and Energy Since the operation of park and recreation facility maintenance is currently conducted as part of Public Works and Roads in a way that works well for the Township based upon the level of parks and recreation development, it is not currently quantified. The following section outlines the approach for formalizing the park maintenance management system. Workload Cost-Tracking The first step in standardizing work in the development of planned maintenance management system is to quantify the workload and costs of associated materials, supplies and equipment, sometimes known as workload/cost tracking. This can include: Park tasks such as mowing, snow-removal, leaf pick-up, litter pick-up, and vandalism repair Ballfields 42

45 Operation, Management, and Financing Game courts Parking areas Trails Indoor facilities such as restrooms Special use facilities such as the ice skating rink Establish Maintenance Standards Maintenance standards set forth the level of care that park and recreation facilities receive. Importance of Assigning Maintenance Standards Assigning maintenance standards will enable Halfmoon Township to maintain Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow with respect to needs and resources. Targeting the appropriate level of care will enable Halfmoon Township to direct resources to balance public use with natural resource conservation. The maintenance standards provide a common frame of reference for the community, including elected and appointed officials, Township employees, maintenance staff, administration, contractors, partners, sponsors, park visitors, and citizens. The common agreement will facilitate discussions and communications about the parks. This will enable elected and appointed officials and parks and recreation management to establish and implement policies on use, fees and charges, volunteer requirements, staffing levels, contractual service requirements, and other matters that may emerge. It will also enable the Township to communicate with the public about the capacity of the municipality to undertake actions in response to citizen demands on the parks, park maintenance tasks, natural resource protection actions, and requests for additional facilities and/or services. Inspections Mode I - Park inspection of Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow s core visitation areas and the active areas of the parks such as the ballfields, play areas, and the Township Building area. Mode V should be done every other week in the natural areas of Halfmoon Township Park. About one third of Halfmoon Township Park would receive minimal maintenance as it is a low visitation natural area. All formal playgrounds should follow CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) guidelines. Recommendations for playground inspections should be based upon visitation. Each playground should receive one annual inspection by a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, perhaps contracted from Centre Region Parks and Recreation. Routine inspections can be conducted by maintenance workers who may not be Certified Playground Safety Inspectors, but can use the guidelines provided by the equipment manufacturer(s). This can be done on a regular scheduled basis such as when the grass is mowed. All annual and routine inspections should be recorded formally in writing and filed should verification of the inspections be needed. National Recreation and Park Association Standards: An Approach The National Recreation and Park Association advocates a system of maintenance modes for parks. Modes refer to the way of maintenance ranging from most intensive to least intensive. To illustrate how different areas of the parks should be maintained according to different mode levels to ensure maximum use of resources and effort, the area around the Township Building in Halfmoon Township Park should be maintained at Mode 1 since it is an area that receives high visitation and can be viewed as a standard bearer for the quality of Township services. The natural areas of Halfmoon Township Park would be maintained at a combination of the Mode V and VI levels with respect to visitation in different sections of the natural areas. The Township can use the modes as guidelines to direct resources towards where the need is greatest and the benefit the most. The modes range as follows: Mode I - State of the Art Maintenance Mode II - High Level Maintenance Mode III - Moderate Level Maintenance due to moderate levels of development Mode IV - Moderately Low Level Maintenance Mode V - High Visitation Natural Areas Mode VI - Minimum Level Maintenance Turf Care Turf care for the parks would include general park areas. Mode II turf care means mowing every five working days. This would 43

46 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan include the ballfields and general grass areas of the park. Any landscape design should minimize mowing and turf management. The Autumn Meadow Park Master Plan recommends the establishment of perimeter meadows to reduce mowing. Meadow areas would be maintained at Mode IV. Disease and Insect Control - Modes would vary by facilities. Natural Areas - Mode V maintenance working towards Mode I maintenance - In high visibility areas of the parks, Mode I disease and insect control with preventive maintenance, control and an integrated pest management program would be applied. In remote park areas, disease and insect control is done only to ensure public safety or when a serious problem discourages public use in accordance with a Mode V level of maintenance. General Park Areas - Mode III maintenance when the health or survival of plan materials is threatened or there is an issue of comfort of park visitors control measures may be taken. Disease and insect control is done usually on a complaint basis. Forestry Halfmoon Township Park should have a forestry management program. The trees are an important feature of the park. The Parks & Facilities Director has been successfully planting trees and that is making a difference. This is usually done with the help of the Conservation District; Penn State University may also be able to provide assistance. Floral Planting Mode V - floral planting should only be introduced where there is a community group to maintain plants in accordance with a written agreement. Tree and Shrub Care Mode IV requires no pruning and care only to remove safety hazards. Halfmoon Township Park Maintenance Goal The goal of park maintenance in Halfmoon Township is to provide clean, safe, and attractive facilities for the healthful and enjoyable use by the people who live, work, and visit here as well as the conservation of cultural and natural resources through implementation of an efficient and effective management program. Litter Control Mode I in core areas, which is a minimum of once per day, seven days a week; and Mode III, which is two to three times a week in areas of lower visitation, such as the forested area of Halfmoon Township Park. For special use facilities such as a picnic pavilion, the permittee should be responsible for litter pick-up while Halfmoon Township would remove it from the park. Surfaces and Paths Mode 11 in so that surfaces are cleaned and repaired when appearance has notably been affected. Repairs Mode III when safety, appearance or function is an issue, repairs are made. Restrooms Mode I in which custodial services of the restrooms is done at least once per day. Special events or times of high use may warrant more than one service per day. 44

47 Operation, Management, and Financing Annual Park Maintenance Schedule In addition to the annual maintenance schedule for all park areas, each park site has specific areas that need annual attention. The following schedule lists the maintenance needs of all parks. Township staff already performs most of these tasks. The revitalization of the parks will add requirements for additional services such as restroom cleaning, natural resource management and repair, cleaning, and inspection of additional facilities. Task Litter pick up and trash removal Restroom cleaning and re-stocking Facility inspection and repair Mowing edging and trimming of lawn areas Mowing of meadows Playground inspection and repair Tree management Shrub maintenance Weed control Sports turf management Top soil application Seeding Fertilizing Aeration Weed control Power washing game courts Leaf removal Snow removal Table 2. Annual Maintenance Schedule Halfmoon Township Parks Pavilion cleaning and inspection Building maintenance Paved surface inspection and cleaning Emergency tasks such as tree removal, storm damage recovery Establish Best Practices According to the National Recreation and Park Association s Green School and Maintenance Management Schools, the best management practices for parks were identified based upon the operations of successful parks and recreation systems nationwide. These practices are founded in sustainability and blend energy conservation, use of hybrid vehicles, LEED design principles, use of alternative energy sources, recycling, Frequency Daily during peak season and weekly off-peak Daily, twice daily during busy days, ongoing for special events Annual inspection of all park areas. Routine inspections weekly. Weekly Twice annually Annual inspection by a CPSI. Routine inspections weekly in conjunction with grass mowing. Contract As needed. Usually every other year on a schooled basis and when warranted due to conditions of health and safety. Twice annually Ongoing Three times annually Three times annually Three times annually Twice Annually Three Times annually Annually Fall Winter for those areas determined that the Township designates for snow removal such as parking lots. Weekly and before and after rentals Weekly Annually As needed 45

48 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan tree planting, and reducing the use of chemicals. Since the workload cost tracking for park maintenance is not yet available, the following best practices are going to serve as recommendations for this plan in formulating cost projections. Best Practices: to 14 park acres per park maintenance employee, with 13.5 acres per employee being the average nationwide. Consider using contractors where possible to substitute for park employees. Since the Township operates with part-time seasonal employees for park maintenance in addition to a portion of two Public Works employees time, consider the use of full-time equivalent (FTE) hours applied to the number of employees per acre. Using this standard, Halfmoon Township Park would require.71 FTEs and Autumn Meadow would require.76 FTEs for a total of 1.5 FTEs. The important point here is that the maintenance work that is performed must be carefully designed and implemented to reflect the actual resources that are available in staff and budget. The existing staff cannot do everything and so they should reach a consensus on. Now their time is devoted primarily to grass mowing, ballfield maintenance, and trash removal; and that decision appears to be the best fit for the allocation of existing resources. 2. A formal written maintenance management plan should be put in place. 3. Expertise regarding the professional management of parks, recreation, trails, and natural resources is available on staff or through outside sources. Partnerships or contracts can be utilized for this expertise when necessary. 4. Contracts should be utilized created/held/written/signed for the purchase of maintenance services. 5. A written work order system should be created to track labor, materials, supplies, equipment, and emergency calls. 6. A formal equipment replacement program should be developed. 7. The Township should draft written maintenance standards for parks and recreation facilities. 8. Design standards for facilities. 9. A budget of at least three to five percent of the municipal operating budget or per capita expenditures of at least $30 per capita for the parks and recreation operation as a whole or four to six percent of the value of their total assets without land value for park maintenance or a mix of the three benchmarks. 10. A policy to guide the organization regarding its green sustainability practices. 46

49 Operation, Management, and Financing In addition to the standard best practices, Halfmoon Township has a number of related opportunities to include in operational planning. These include Volunteers, Polices, Funding, and Sustainability. Policies As Half Moon Township grows and revitalizes its parks and recreation system, official effective policies need to be in place regarding park operations and use. Other policy needs will emerge over time. The point is to spend time on policies that are needed to ensure sustainable operating practices but not to spend time on generating prolific rules and regulations. Policies should make operations easier, smoother, and facilitate the generation of public support. Examples of policies that should be considered in the immediate time frame based upon the current park operations scenario include the following. Revenue Policy A formal policy of revenues regarding fees, charges, and the Township s philosophy in offsetting parks and recreation operating costs should be developed. Gifts and Donations Policy It is the intent of Halfmoon Township to encourage and facilitate public and private gifts, bequests, and such contributions that enhance, beautify, improve, supplement, support, or otherwise benefit the Township s park and recreation system. Consideration of the installation, maintenance, and cyclic replacement costs for park donations should be considered as part of the donation mechanism and prices. Provisions regarding the repair and replacement of such equipment should be defined and reflected in donations such as memorial benches and trees. Naming Rights Naming Rights are a financial transaction and form of advertising in which a corporation, business, individual, or other entity purchases the right to name a facility or event, typically for a defined period of time. For significant facilities like a playground or an athletic field, the term ranges from three to 20 years. The distinctive characteristic for this type of naming rights is that the buyer gets a marketing property to promote products and services, promote customer retention, or increase market share. 44D4-ABFA-5EBF6E7DE67B%257D.PDF Advertising The intent of an advertising policy is to generate revenues from paid advertising and sponsorships to offset some of the costs associated with producing program brochures and other informative literature, maintaining and improving athletic and other recreation facilities, and procuring capital equipment related to recreational facilities which would not otherwise be funded in the department budget. The policy must be rooted in the aesthetics and mission of the parks as well as the visitor experience. The following link provides a model of an advertising policy from Los Alamos for adaption in Halfmoon Township. Sponsorships Halfmoon Township actively seeks sponsorships for events and services. The purpose of such sponsorships is to increase the Township s ability to deliver services to the community and/or provide enhanced levels of service beyond the core levels funded from the municipal general fund for such things as the special events including the Easter Party and Movie Nights. In appreciation of such support, the Township should set forth a formal policy to provide sponsors with suitable acknowledgment of their contributions. However, such recognition for park and recreation facility improvements should adhere to the aesthetic values and purpose of township parks. In addition, such recognition must not detract from the visitor s experience or expectation, nor would it impair the visual qualities of the parks or be perceived as creating a proprietary interest. The following link connects to Portland, Oregon s policy on sponsorships that can be a model for Halfmoon Township: image.cfm?id= Advertising-Policy.pdf 47

50 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Funding Challenges The major challenge for Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow is both capital development and the ongoing funding for operations and maintenance. Obtaining funding to renovate existing facilities or build new ones is relatively easier than getting support to pay for park maintenance and operations. In fact, PA DCNR s grant programs now favor the rehabilitation of existing facilities as a priority. There is a tendency to increase the responsibilities of existing staff for additional facilities with no commensurate support for increased workload. Halfmoon Township recognizes the unique and important nature of its public parks. Careful consideration should be given to the capacity of existing staff to provide the caliber of maintenance needed for the two parks along with all of the demands of the current workload. Revenues from program fees and charges, sales, leases, sponsorships, partnerships, donations, and grants can help to support development and operating costs. Benefits of Sustainable Park Maintenance Practices Sustainable park maintenance practices save money while the protection of our natural resources is good both for people and the earth. Connection with nature helps citizens to reduce their stress and mental fatigue and contributes to their sense of well-being. Areas with natural features help citizens develop social ties that foster strong neighborhoods and sense of community. Sustainability Environmental protection and the conservation of natural resources are a primary goal of public park systems. The traditional pattern of park maintenance in the Township has been focused on tasks such as litter pick-up, mowing, and trimming to achieve a manicured appearance in the developed areas. The natural areas remaining except for the removal of a hazardous condition. This has been the customary approach to park maintenance statewide and is the look that the public has come to expect. In Halfmoon Township, this is particularly true: the public appears to want and expect manicured lawns. This is both costly and discordant with the environment. Park maintenance should set the bar for practices that promote the healthy natural elements of public lands such as water, wildlife, and vegetation. Adopting maintenance practices that conserve natural resources requires planning, training, expertise, and public education. Public education on a nature-focused approach to park maintenance is vital as citizens tend to view natural areas as unkempt because of their expectation of a manicured park appearance. The Township could consider establishing a green team to oversee sustainability for municipal operations overall, including the parks. The Green Team could be a mix of township staff, university sources and students, the Planning Commission and others. Practices could include: Recycling, requiring vendors to recycle, and purchasing products from recycle materials. Using green purchasing practices such as the Environmental Protection Agency s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) which helps the federal government buy green, and in doing so, uses the federal government s enormous buying power to stimulate market demand for green products and services. Geared first to help federal purchasers, this site can help green vendors, businesses large and small -- and consumers. Using hybrid maintenance vehicles and alternative fuels. Using LEED design principles. Using bio-swales, restoring woodlands, and prairies to reduce 48

51 Operation, Management, and Financing maintenance costs, reduce erosion, and restore habitat. Applying Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemicals. Designing the landscape to reduce mowing, to use native tolerant landscape materials, and to provide shade and wind breaks. Providing an educational program to increase public awareness about township green practices, its benefits, and how this fits perfectly with the unique and important water based resources in Halfmoon Township. Risk Management Having safe facilities for visitors as well as protecting the public investment is essential to Halfmoon Township. Public perception that the parks are safe is important to their success. As part of establishing safe parks that limit the Township s exposure to liability, effective risk management can help to protect both park visitors and the municipality. Coordination with Halfmoon Township s insurance carrier throughout the development and operation of the park would be helpful in reducing risk. Supportive insurance carriers offer advice, on-site assessment, and sometimes even grant funding to support safe facilities through proper maintenance management planning. Their advice will be helpful in identifying and adopting practices to insure visitor and park safety. Risk Management is a standard operating practice of parks and recreation agencies. Risk includes the possibility that a hazard that would cause personal injury, death, property damage, economic loss or damage to the environment. To manage risk in all Township parks including Halfmoon Township Park, Autumn Meadow and all future parks, three steps are needed: 1. Risk Identification and Assessment It is necessary to identify all of the sources of potential hazards in the parks. The Township must have knowledge at all times of any risk related to the park. This includes park conditions as well as the employees or volunteers that might make the Township subject to liability as the result of how they complete their duties, and any other liability. 2. Risk Assessment The Township should inspect and evaluate the parks and each facility as part of its ongoing park and recreation system operating practices. This would also include tracking of the incidents of injury reported in the parks. 3. Risk Management Plan - The Risk Management Plan is important for both safe operations as well as in establishing credibility in case of litigation. The plan should include the following documents all of which should be reviewed by the township solicitor: Statement that the Township is committed to safety for citizens, municipal employees, and Township facilities Program registration information Accident forms Health forms if appropriate 49

52 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Participation forms and waivers Rental agreements and leases Program dates and documents Operations information and policies Reports for maintenance and procedures Inspection program and reports Policy on background checks for Township employees, volunteers working with children, and for permittees of municipal facilities who are providing community recreation services Projecting the Maintenance Budget Emergency Response Consultation with emergency responders about the parks operations and design features would be important. The proposed park designs include access for emergency response vehicles. Many emergency response teams are using GIS to establish methods for identifying locations where people are in need of assistance. Park Maintenance Staff Based on the managed acreage in Halfmoon Township of acres of parkland, 1.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees will be needed over time and as parks are improved. The Township already has.66 FTE s in park maintenance. Estimating the costs of park maintenance helps in decision-making, staffing, setting of fees and charges, policy formulation, budget planning, resource allocation, and securing non-traditional methods of supporting park operations such as partnerships and volunteers. Since the current labor, materials, supplies, and equipment have not been detailed as customary with a relatively new and growing parks and recreation system and an austere level of resources available to carry out daily functions, information is not available regarding what it costs to meet the current maintenance demands. Therefore projections for park maintenance costs are based upon best practices and benchmarks from parks and recreation systems elsewhere. In 2014, the Township spent $34,606 on total park maintenance. There is no further breakdown by park or task. Materials and Supplies Since materials and supply costs require a projection, budgets from other parks served as the basis for formulating potential allocations. For materials and supplies using between $5 and $7 dollars per labor hour will help to set the materials and supplies budget; for Halfmoon Township the middle rate of $6 per labor hour is being used. For Halfmoon Township Park, this would be $8,862. For Autumn Meadow, this would be $9,486. The total would be $18,348. Utilities and Energy The utility and energy budget needs to be based upon the park improvements, not present conditions. This plan recommends developing a cost projection of energy costs for the parks. The addition of any buildings and lighted outdoor facilities should include the cost of energy or energy alternatives as a factor. The existing ballfield lighting should receive an energy audit with recommendations for sustainable and more cost effective lighting. Equipment Halfmoon Township should replace its equipment based upon the number of hours of use of existing equipment. The regular replacement of equipment while it still has value and in conjunction with the State s purchasing system often results in cost savings. 50

53 Operation, Management, and Financing Training Since most of the parks and recreation budget is devoted to personnel, ensuring that they have state-of-the-art information and training in parks and recreation would be an important investment. A suggested formula for staff development is one to two percent of the parks and recreation budget annually. Training can include a mix of conferences and seminars as well as planned in-house meetings in which staff would request an outside guest to address a topic of interest to the Township related to parks and recreation. Having the University nearby can be a rich source of expertise. For Halfmoon Township, the training budget for parks and recreation should be about $2,000. Planning a five-year employee development program would optimize the benefit to the Township by increasing the expertise and knowledge of the park maintenance employees strategically. The Township should consider sending park maintenance employees to the National Recreation and Park Association s annual maintenance school. It is a week long program held over the course of two years. 6. FUNDING: A MIX OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES The current state of the economy can make the topic of financing a challenge. It is desirable for most people to have access to public recreation close to home, especially for families looking for ways to spend time together without overextending their budget. Public parks offer many opportunities for social, active, and passive recreation with relatively low or no cost. If high quality facilities and programs are available in public parks, that is a tremendous public service and adds value to the community. The current cost of park maintenance per acre is $1, This equates to an annual cost of park of $16,716 for Halfmoon Township Park and $17,900 for Autumn Meadow for a total cost of $34,616. Table 3 presents the projected budget for Halfmoon Township s parks and recreation system. This budget comes out to about $2,578 per acre cost when the parks are improved. This is in the normal range of about $1,500 to 3,000 per acre in townships in Pennsylvania in the area. The Township park and recreation budget is about $227,000 for operations. With a population of 10,698 this equates to about $21.22 per capita. The statewide average is about $33.35 in Townships of this size. Additional revenues possible through improved parks and recreation facilities, special events, facility rentals and limited programming will help to offset maintenance cost and tighten the gap between the current and future park maintenance budget. Cyclic Maintenance In addition to daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual repairs, the park requires cyclic maintenance repairs. Having support and the justification to adequately plan for the regular capital repair and equipment replacements in the park is a challenge. Cyclic maintenance deals with the normal replacement of a capital item such as a roof. Cyclic repairs are a function of weather, use, and other circumstances such as natural events. The cyclic repairs are shown in the following table. Because the time frame is years away, projecting actual costs is not possible. The American Public Works Association recommends budgeting two to four percent of the development costs annually to establish as a capital reserve account for cyclic repairs. Advances in technology will also impact the future costs based upon changes in design and materials. Cyclic repair and replacement considerations include the following: Infrastructure: Roads, parking lots, trails, utility lines for water, sewer, and electric years. Play Equipment: years. Buildings and Structures: Roofs, furnishings, picnic tables and benches, shelters, bridges, fencing years. Equipment: trucks, cars, tractors, trailers, and other large units based upon number of hours of operation, miles used, and repair costs. Table 4 presents the revenues for Halfmoon Township s parks and recreation system. Potential revenues for parks and recreation could be derived from pavilion rentals, organized special events, programs, friend s organizations and user fees. 51

54 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Table 3 - Halfmoon Township Projected Parks and Recreation Operating Budget This parks and recreation budget presents the projected operating costs for the Halfmoon Township Autumn Meadow Park. It will be phased in as the park is developed and improved and as the Township grows its parks and recreation system. The annual operating budget can be derived from this overall budget in a way that would be consistent with park improvements, programs and services. Item Budget Personnel: 1.5 maintenance FTE s using current hours and adjusted wage rates for full-time and part time staff. $57,080 Benefits and payroll taxes $18,836 Maintenance Materials and Supplies $18,348 Utilities $600 Recreation Program, Event, and Activities 10,000 Forestry Management Program Contract out TBD TOTAL $104, Per Acre Cost $4,471 CIP Reserve Budget 2% of development costs annually in fund dedicated to Halfmoon Township Park cyclic repairs and park improvements. This could be phased in as the phases of Layer 1: $3,500 the park are constructed. Layer 2: $2,200 Layer 3: 0 Building removal Layer 4: $2,640 Layer 5: $20,000 Autumn Meadow $9,634 Table 4 - Halfmoon Township Parks & Recreation Potential Revenue Sources Item Projection 3 Pavilions - rental at $50 (average) $4,500 per day for 30 days each. Field Use Fees estimated Diamond Fields $250 per season. ($2,000/ year). Rectangular Fields $300 per $4,400 season. $2,400/year). Assuming four teams per field for two seasons. Potential sponsorships for four $2,000 events Park Friends 100 at $25 $2,500 TOTAL Projections $13,400 Recommendations for Moving Forward To keep pace with the park improvements, citizen demands, and expectations as well as to allocate resources effectively, enhancing capacity and expertise in the functional areas of park management is crucial. Consider the following: A. Use the eight-point model of successful parks and recreation systems to pattern Halfmoon Township s parks and recreation system. Having this vision of successful parks and recreation systems in mind will help in planning, decision-making, and in the allocation of time and resources. B. Develop an implementation plan for the Park Master Plan. Include an action plan for year one with specific steps, roles, and responsibilities defined and funding sources determined including plans for grant applications. 52

55 Operation, Management, and Financing C. Phase in the addition of park maintenance staff to achieve the goal of having 1.5 Full-Time Equivalents. Phase in additional funding for staff, materials and supplies, and tree and natural resource management program. D. Join the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society. Consider seeking $2500 non-match RecTAP grants to help the Township work on special issues or opportunities related to the parks and recreation system such as forming a Park Friends group, fundraising and other important subjects. E. Develop a workload/cost tracking system for the Township parks and recreation facilities. By generating information to understand the real cost of labor, equipment, supplies, and utilities, the Township will be able to allocate resources most effectively. The Township would also be able to establish policies on fees and charges based on actual cost recovery. It is impossible to manage what you do not count and track. This information is vital for making decisions such as contracting out tasks, charging fees, setting policy, deciding service levels, and so on. F. Consult with the Conservation District or Penn State University on how to develop a natural resource plan for township parks. Consider trying to get college interns to work on this. G. Establish policies on revenues, gifts and donations, and naming of facilities. H. Create an employee development program. Establish a five-year program that will enhance the expertise of the parks maintenance staff. This could include seminars, workshops, training programs, memberships, and visitation to other public Parks and Recreation systems. Devote a percentage of the annual operating budget for training. One good idea obtained at a training program often more than pays for the cost of the training. Importance of Counting: Little Things Add Up American Airlines saved $47,000 annually by eliminating one olive from the salads served in the first class cabins. The New York Times saved $200,000 annually by eliminating one period in its masthead and the ink needed for this punctuation point. Montgomery County Parks & Heritage Services saved nearly the equivalent of one full-time maintenance worker by eliminating the chopping of wood in one park. I. Try to increase programs in the parks through partnerships with community-based organizations to attract park visitors who will hopefully turn into park supporters and stewards. Focus on developing opportunities for hosting park events, especially in partnership with other organizations and businesses. The size and location of both of these public parks are unique in having the capacity to hold organized special events. As with all organized special events, it is important to plan for logistics such as parking, potential shuttle service, additional temporary restrooms, traffic control and direction, as well as any other needs. J. Strive to track the testimonials and benefits of the Township parks to the community. This kind of information helps elected officials to make informed decisions based upon real public sentiment of actual users. This is much different information that what is generally captured at public meetings. 53

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57 Appendix A: Planning the Park

58 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Planning the Park Study Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore options for the improvements and expansion of the existing parks. The process of design development began by studying the condition and use of the existing facilities as well as park users, the park site characteristics, adjacent land uses, community recreation needs and goals, recreation and leisure trends and the desires of the community and surrounding neighborhood. A public participation process was undertaken to gain input regarding appropriate park facilities. Including working with a Project Study Committee, completing interviews with key persons in the community and holding public meetings. The process emphasized citizen input to develop a relevant Master Plan that targets the existing and future recreation and open space needs of the municipality. The Master Plan will provide a site-specific blueprint for the park site that will guide future development activities. Undertaking the planning process will target future park, recreation and conservation initiatives to meet the needs and desires of the neighborhood and the community at large. Recommendations and conclusions of the planning process will provide enhancements that will meet the community needs and fit soundly into the surrounding landscape. Master Planning Process The planning process for the Master Site Plan was designed to create a vision for the park that harnessed the opportunities of the site while respecting the inherent site limitations. This process included five parts: 1. Inventory and Assessment 2. Public Participation 3. Development of Conceptual Alternatives 4. Final Master Plan 5. Operations and Management Plan As described in The Centre Region: A great place to live... Booklet, Halfmoon Township consists of 23.6 square miles and was established in 1847 and received its name from the crude half-moon shaped figures etched on trees by Native Americans as a means to mark routes throughout the valley. Halfmoon Township ranks fourth in overall land area (22.6 sq. miles) but has the smallest population (2,667) of any Centre County municipality. The Township is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors. Although Halfmoon is the least densely populated municipality in the Centre Region at 118 persons per square mile, it has seen steady growth over the last twenty years. Halfmoon Township is primarily rural in character with the majority of its residential areas located in or adjacent to the village of Stormstown. Nearly 86% of the land area of the Township is agricultural or forested lands, with the remaining land area being devoted to mainly large-lot residential uses. Over 2,000 acres of open space have been presented from development through the Township s ACT 153 Open Space Program. The Township s numerous farms and open space areas, such as State Game Lands 176, provide a rural setting close to the heart of the Centre County Region. 56

59 Appendix A: Planning the Park The following demographics were compiled from 2010 US Census data unless otherwise noted. Population Statistics 2010 Population: 2,667 Children and Youth (0 17 years) 28.4 percent of the total population Adults (18 24 years) 5.8 percent Adults (25 34 years) 7.3 percent Adults (35 44 years) 16.1 percent Adults (45 64 years) 35.8 percent Adults (65 years and over) 6.5 percent Gender Male 51.0 percent and Female 49.0 percent Figure 2 - Age as Percentage of Population Source: U.S. Census Bureau Under and over Centre Region Centre County Pennsylvania Source : The Centre Region Booklet, Pg.12 Race / Ethnicity The racial makeup of the Township is now 97.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.0% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.1% of the population. Median Age 41.0, older than Cumberland County s median age of Households and Housing Households with children under age 18: 390 or 42.7% of the total 913 households Persons per Household: 2.92 Occupied Housing Units: 94.8percent Total Housing Units: 963 Socio-Economic Characteristics Median Household Income: $115,048 Families: 778 In Poverty: 2.5 percent Centre Region 2010 Population by Municipality Source: U.S. Census Bureau 17,690 Halfmoon 15,311 Harris College 9,521 Patton 42,034 Ferguson State College 4,873 2,667 Source: The Centre Region Booklet, Pg.12 57

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61 Appendix B: Park Goals and Needs Assessment

62 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Public Participation Public participation was a key component of the master planning process for Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park. Public input was gathered by working with the Project Study Committee, completing key person interviews, conducting a citizens input survey, and conducting public meetings to gather specific park interests and concerns regarding the development of the park. Public meetings were also conducted to solicit public feedback regarding the plan alternatives, and implementation strategy. Neighborhood Forum A neighborhood forum was held for Autumn Meadow Park prior to the May 29th, 2015 public meeting. The park is a great asset for the neighborhood. It is primarily used by sports groups and younger children. Convenience facilities such as benches, sitting areas, and walking trails were desired to increase the park user base and provide recreational opportunities for the elderly. Connectivity beyond the park was seen as an important component of the design. The users groups have addressed issues at the park during game days and at the annual Bull Dog Day, but parking challenges still remain. Project Study Committee A Park Project Study Committee was formed to help guide the master planning process and to work with the project design team. On April 16, 2014 the Halfmoon Township Parks Committee met with the design team to explore the goals for redevelopment of the two parks. The group explored the opportunities, facilities, concerns, and issues relating to the development of Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park. Comment Cards were also provided at the initial public meeting on May 29th, The Following summarized responses: 1. What 3 improvements would you like to see at Autumn Meadows Park? A path around the park perimeter Park benches Upgrade and/or add to existing playground equipment Add a lacrosse rebound wall Add a putting green Improve the turf management 2. What 3 improvements would you like to see at Halfmoon Township Park? A running track around the park perimeter Update existing playground equipment Add a new pavilion and upgrade the existing pavilion Build a performance gazebo to hold community functions Improve the access roadway 3. What concerns do you have for redevelopment of the parks? A sustained effort from the township leadership is essential in Growing community interest and involvement in township parks. Parks should assist building relationships through the community. Holding community events, such as open air concerts, and other performances will draw residents to the parks, particularly Halfmoon Township Park, so residents can establish a relationship with their park system. Limited parking 4. What is the one thing we could do to enhance recreation opportunities in the Township? Involve community members through sponsored events Create a trail system for biking and walking 5. Additional Comments: People tend to drive fast along route 550 making it dangerous to cross the road from the main residential side of route 550 to reach Halfmoon Township Park. 60

63 Appendix B: Park Goals and Needs Assessment Key Person Interviews The consulting team conducted a series of key person interviews to obtain input regarding the expansion of the park. Information was gathered regarding historical and current information about the property, potential park uses and facilities, recreation trends, and immediate and long-term needs for specific and general recreation opportunities within the area. Interviews were conducted via telephone and in person and included the Township Engineer, adjacent land owners, 4H Club, Centre Region Bicycle Coalition, Centre Bulldogs, State College Little League, Centre Region Planning Agency, Patton Township, and local park users. Public Participation Findings In general the overall findings of the public participation process were in alignment with the results of the community wide survey. The Top Five Visitor Experiences in Township Parks that Citizens are seeking include: Walking (63%) Socializing with family and friends (60%) Enjoying nature (52%) Fitness and wellness (49%) Special events (46%) Issues that prevent citizens from using the Township Parks are: Parks don t have facilities that interest them (47%) No programs or activities are offered (30%) Use parks elsewhere (22%) The most desirable improvements to the existing parks are: Restroom improvements Walking paths Beautification Playground equipment Parking improvements The most important facilities and programs to the citizens are: Comfort facilities including restrooms & drinking fountains (94%) Walking paths (91%) Playgrounds traditional (89%) Picnic areas (89%) Nature play areas (86%) The public meetings have all been recorded by C-net Government & Educational TV and can be viewed at the following link: 61

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65 Appendix C: Inventory and Analysis

66 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Site Inventory and Analysis The development of the Master Site Plan was guided by the analysis of the existing site conditions, review of the site s natural and man-made resources, existing facilities usage, consideration of the surrounding land uses, and the assessment of the recreation needs in the community. Site visits were conducted throughout the planning process to evaluate the site characteristics, observe the site s relationship to the surrounding properties, and identify site opportunities and constraints. The findings of the inventory and assessment phase of the planning process is documented below. Halfmoon Township Park, 1938 Halfmoon Township s landuse has been mainly forested and agricultural, but over the years there has been a steady increase in residential use. Data Collection/Base Mapping Base-mapping data was compiled from the best available information. A partial boundary and topographic survey was provided for each park site by the Township Engineer, Franson Engineering and Surveying. The project base mapping data was supplemented with information gathered by the design team from site visits conducted over the course of the master planning process. Site Descriptions Location, Size, and Legal Status Halfmoon Township Park is owned by Halfmoon Township and consists of one 12.6 acre parcel. The park is north of Stormstown and is located on the west side of Municipal Lane, just north of Barfarm Drive. The street address of the park is 100 Municipal Lane in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania. Autumn Meadow Park is owned by Halfmoon Township, and consists of two parcels (Lot 1 and Lot 2) which measure approximately 9.44 acres and 0.84 acres, respectively, for a total of ±10.28 acres. The park lies north of Sedons Hills and is located south of Smith Road between Sky Harbor Drive to the west and Autumn Circle to the east. Autumn Meadow Park, (PNDI) Report As defined The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) is a member of NatureServe, an international network of natural heritage programs that gather and provide information on the location and status of important ecological resources (plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, natural communities and geologic features). Our purpose is to provide current, reliable, objective information to help inform environmental decisions. PNHP information can be used to guide conservation work and land-use planning, ensuring the maximum conservation benefit with the minimum cost. The view the PNDI reports see Appendix D. Aerial Map 2015 Halfmoon Township Park The PNDI search includes species under the jurisdiction of the PA Game Commission, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PADCNR), the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On May 22, 2014 a PNDI search was generated for Halfmoon Township Park through the PHNP website, See (Appendix I), which did not identify any potential known impacts to threatened and endangered species within the project area. Therefore, no coordination 64

67 Appendix C: Site Inventory and Analysis with state and federal agencies is required regarding threatened and endangered species. Autumn Meadows Park The PNDI search includes species under the jurisdiction of the PA Game Commission, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PADCNR), the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On May 22, 2014 a PNDI search was generated for Autumn Meadows Park through the PHNP website, See (Appendix I), which did not identify any potential known impacts to threatened and endangered species within the project area. Therefore, no coordination with state and federal agencies is required regarding threatened and endangered species. General Site Data - Halfmoon Township Park Zoning and Adjacent Land Use The Halfmoon Township Zoning Ordinance indicates that Halfmoon Township Park consists of public open space located within the Agriculture Zoning District. Adjacent land use on all four sides of the park is zoned as Agriculture. Existing Structures and Roads Municipal Lane is the only road that is adjacent to the park. This road runs along the eastern edge of the property and is the point of access to the site for all users. The entrance into the park and the associated parking lot are constructed of compacted stone and are subject to rutting and drainage issues. The parking lot lacks formalized striped parking spaces, making for an inefficient use of space when large numbers of vehicles are present. Structures currently on the site include the Halfmoon Township Municipal Building, two storage sheds, and a bathroom facility within the vicinity of the parking area. Each baseball field at the park includes two small dugouts, while the northern field also features a small storage shed behind the backstop. In addition, an open-air pavilion is located in the central area of the park. Halfmoon Township Park Municipal building A feasibility study was recently conducted to assess the cement condition of the existing building and its capacity to serve the immediate and future needs of the community. The study identified several key issues including: The present building usage is greater than the structural and parking capacity Present sanitary needs are greater than the available capacity Present building has toxic mold issues which create a public health hazard that must be remediated. Present building storage is over capacity The feasibility study provided detailed alternatives to address these issues such as bringing the building up to current codes, expansion of the building, developing a new building with LEED concept, and a new LEED building. Existing Recreational Facilities The developed portion of Halfmoon Township Park features many recreational amenities including two baseball fields, a basketball court, a tennis court, and several playground facilities. A small trail provides access to the southern baseball field from the parking lot, and is also constructed of crushed gravel. The playground amenities are spread out throughout the central portion of the park and include a swing-set, monkey-bars, spiral slide, sand box, merry-go-round, large playground, and other small play equipment. Additional site elements include tennis courts, bleachers adjacent to the existing youth baseball fields, picnic tables located within the pavilion, a grill, trash receptacles, benches, flagpoles, fencing, and portable toilet facilities. User Remarks: This map is for general reference only. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is not responsible for the accuracy or currentness of the base data shown on this map. All wetlands related data should be used in accordance with the layer metadata found on the Wetlands Mapper web site. 65

68 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan AnB Halfmoon Township Park Soils Map Municipal Building The existing municipal building occupies the park site and is located adjacent to the gravel parking area. The structure is a prefabricated single-story metal building that sits on a concrete slab on grade. BuB Water Features and Wetlands Wetlands are defined as those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that, under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands are identified by three parameters including hydric soils, plants adapted to life in wet environments (hydrophytic vegetation), and the presence of water (hydrology) during the growing season. A review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) map did not identify any mapped wetlands within or adjacent to the park. C B A E D G F Legend Existing Drainage Pattern Area A - Woodlands Area B - Youth Softball Field with Dugouts, Bleachers, 4 Outfield Fence, with a 257 Outfield and 284 Centerfield Area C - Tennis Court/Ice Rink Area D - Basketball Court, Playground Equipment, Concession Building, and Pavilion with Grills Area E - Parking Lot, Batting Cage, Recycling Containers Area F - Youth Baseball Field with lights, Dugouts and Bleachers Area G - Building, Batting Cages, Septic Tank There are no streams or other significant water features located within the site. Halfmoon Creek is a perennial stream that occurs to the south of the project site. It is listed as a High Q-3, Water Quality Standards. According to the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), Halfmoon Creek is not classified as an Approved Trout Waters, Class A Trout Stream, or as a stream supporting natural trout reproduction. Tributaries to Halfmoon Creek are located to the west and east of the park outside of the project area and are also classified as HQ-CWFs. The FEMA-delineated 100-year Floodplain of Halfmoon Creek does not extend into the site. Soils A review of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web Soil Survey of Centre County identified three soil series within the project site, which include the Andover Channery Silt Loam (AnB) and the Buchanan Channery Loam series (BuB) and are further described below: Andover Channery Silt Loam (AnB) These soils feature moderate depth and are poorly drained. These soils feature 0 to 8 percent slopes. The depth to a restrictive feature can range from 16 to 28 inches if a fragipan is present and from 48 to 99 inches to lithic bedrock. The depth to the water table is shallow and typically ranges from 0 to 6 inches. Soil permeability is moderately low to moderately high and water capacity is very low. There is no frequency of flooding or ponding associated with these soils, and they have a high runoff potential. These soils are not listed as Prime Farmland but are listed as Predominately Hydric (hydric rating of 85 out of 100). These soils feature very severe limitations to land use (i.e., agriculture) due largely to the influence of a high groundwater table. Buchanan Channery Loam (BuB) These soils are moderately well-drained and are moderately shallow due to the presence of a fragipan within 20 to 36 inches of the surface. These soils feature 3 to 8 percent slopes. The depth to the water table typically ranges from 14 to 30 inches. Soil permeability is moderately low to moderately high and water capacity is low. There is no 66

69 Appendix C: Site Inventory and Analysis frequency of flooding or ponding associated with these soils, and they have a high runoff potential. These soils are listed as Prime Farmland and are classified as Predominately Non-hydric (hydric rating of 10 out of 100). These soils feature moderate limitations to land use (i.e., agriculture) due to potential erosional hazards. Hydrologic Groups A hydrologic group is a group of soils having similar runoff potential under similar storm and cover conditions. Soil properties that influence runoff potential are those that influence the minimum rate of infiltration for a bare soil after prolonged wetting and when not frozen. These properties are depth to a seasonally high water table, intake rate and permeability after prolonged wetting, and depth to a very slowly permeable layer. The influence of ground cover is treated independently. The soils are categorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) into four groups: A, B, C, and D; and three dual classes: AID, BID, and C/D. In the definitions of the classes, infiltration rate is the rate at which water enters the soil at the surface and is controlled by the surface conditions. Transmission rate is the rate at which water moves in the soil and is controlled by soil properties. Definitions of the classes are as follows: A. (Low runoff potential). The soils have a high infiltration rate even when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly consist of deep, well drained to excessively drained sands or gravels. They have a high rate of water transmission. B. The soils have a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly are moderately deep to deep, moderately well drained to well drained soils that have moderately fine to moderately coarse textures. They have a moderate rate of water transmission. C. The soils have a slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly have a layer that impedes downward movement of water or have moderately fine to fine texture. They have a slow rate of water transmission. D. (High runoff potential). The soils have a very slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly consist of clay soils that have a high swelling potential, soils that have a permanent high water table, soils that have a claypan or clay layer at or near the surface, and shallow soils over nearly impervious material. They have a very slow rate of water transmission. Halfmoon Township Park Site Qualities Halfmoon Township Park, 2015 Soils with a classification of A and/or B are generally suitable for infiltration, and soil classifications of C and/or D are generally unsuitable for infiltration. Both soil series identified in the park feature a high runoff potential and are generally unsuitable for infiltration (AnB = D; BuB = C/D). Topography The existing topography of the site is relatively gentle and features slopes ranging from 0 to 8 percent according to the mapped soil series. The overall topography of the area generally slopes downward toward Halfmoon Creek to the south of the park. Autumn Meadow Park, 2015 Cornfield Ln Skyharbor Dr Autumn Cir Smith Rd 67

70 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Vegetation The site is bounded by forested lands along the northern and western edges of the property. Additional shade trees include both coniferous and deciduous species and occur in the southeastern corner of the property as well as the central portion of the park between the two existing baseball fields. Autumn Meadow Park Half Basketball Court Autumn Meadow Park Pavilion Wildlife The mix of forested habitats in the western portion of the park with open fields and edge habitats in the remainder of the park could support various wildlife populations. Given the generally rural nature of the site and the surrounding properties, it is likely that deer and a variety of bird species would frequent the area. General Site Data - Autumn Meadow Park Zoning and Adjacent Land Use The Halfmoon Township Zoning Ordinance indicates that Autumn Meadow Park consists of public open space located primarily within the Residential Zoning District. Adjacent land use to the north, west, and east of the park is zoned as Residential, while the land to the south of the park is zoned as Agriculture. Autumn Meadow Park Restroom/Concessions Building Existing Structures and Roads Three roads are adjacent to Autumn Meadow Park. The park is situated to the south of Smith Road between Sky Harbor Drive to the west and Autumn Circle to the east. There are two entrance roads into the park, both of which occur off of Autumn Circle. The northern entrance provides primary access to recreational park users, while the southern entrance leads to the park maintenance facility. These entrance roads and their associated parking areas are constructed of crushed gravel. The parking lots do not feature formalized striped parking spaces, making for an inefficient use of space when large numbers of vehicles are present. Structures currently on the site include a large maintenance building and garage in the southern portion of the park as well as a pavilion and adjacent restroom/concession building at the northern end of the park. Autumn Meadow Park Swings Existing Recreational Facilities Autumn Meadow Park contains multiple recreational amenities. A multipurpose field is located south of the northern parking area in the central portion of the park. In addition, a swing-set is located just west of the restroom/concession building in the northern parking lot. Additional site elements include picnic tables in the pavilion, a grill, portable toilet facilities, trash receptacles, and recycling boxes. Autumn Meadow Park Maintenance Facility Water Features and Wetlands Wetlands are defined as those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands are identified by three parameters including hydric soils, plants adapted 68

71 Appendix C: Site Inventory and Analysis to life in wet environments (hydrophytic vegetation), and the presence of water (hydrology) during the growing season. A review of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) map did not identify any mapped wetlands within or adjacent to the park. A review of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection s (PADEP) emap Application identified an unnamed tributary to Halfmoon Creek that flows primarily from east to west through the center of the park. However, aerial imagery indicates that this stream was altered in the past and no longer runs through the park. This stream is designated as a High Quality Cold Water Fishery (HQ-CWF) by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection s (PADEP), PA Code Title 25, Chapter 93 Water Quality Standards. The unnamed tributary to Halfmoon Creek is not classified as an Approved Trout Waters, a Class A Wild Trout Stream, or a stream supporting the natural reproduction of trout. The tributary does not feature a FEMA-delineated 100-year Floodplain. There are no other significant water features located within the site. Halfmoon Creek occurs to the west of the project site. HaB MrB HaB Autumn Meadow Park Soils Map MrC Soils A review of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web Soil Survey of Centre County identified two main soil series within the project site, which include the Hagerstown Silt Loam (HaB), and the Morrison Sandy Loam (MrB, MrC) series. Hagerstown Silt Loam (AnB) These soils feature moderate depth and are well drained. These soils feature 3 to 8 percent slopes. The depth to lithic bedrock ranges from 43 to 98 inches and the depth to the water table is typically greater than 80 inches. Soil permeability is moderately high to high and water capacity is moderate. There is no frequency of flooding or ponding associated with these soils, and they have a moderate runoff potential. These soils are listed as Prime Farmland and are classified as Non-Hydric. These soils feature moderate limitations to land use (i.e., agriculture) due to potential erosional hazards. Morrison Sandy Loam (MrB, MrC) These soils are deep and well-drained. Within the park, these soils feature 2 to 15 percent slopes. The depth to lithic bedrock ranges from 72 to 99 inches and the depth to the water table is generally greater than 80 inches. Soil permeability is moderately high to high and water capacity is moderate. There is no frequency of flooding or ponding associated with these soils, and they have a low runoff potential. These soils are listed as Prime Farmland (MrB) and a Farmland of Statewide Importance (MrC). Both soil classifications in this series are listed as Non-Hydric. These soils feature moderate to severe limitations to land use (i.e., agriculture) due to potential erosional hazards. Hydrologic Groups A hydrologic group is a group of soils having similar runoff potential under similar storm and cover conditions. Soil properties that influence runoff potential are those that influence the minimum rate of infiltration for a bare soil after prolonged wetting and when not frozen. These A B Legend Existing Drainage Pattern Area A - Gravel Parking Lot, Pavilion, Half Basketball Court Storage/Concessions Building, Recycling Bins, and Swings Area B - Multi-Purpose Athletic Fields Area C - Stormwater Conveyance/Management Area Area D - Open Lawn Area Area E - Existing Maintenance Facility Area F - Tree Line Buffer Zone C D E 69

72 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan properties are depth to a seasonally high water table, intake rate and permeability after prolonged wetting, and depth to a very slowly permeable layer. The influence of ground cover is treated independently. The soils are categorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) into four groups: A, B, C, and D; and three dual classes: AID, BID, and C/D. In the definitions of the classes, infiltration rate is the rate at which water enters the soil at the surface and is controlled by the surface conditions. Transmission rate is the rate at which water moves in the soil and is controlled by soil properties. Definitions of the classes are as follows: A. (Low runoff potential). The soils have a high infiltration rate even when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly consist of deep, well drained to excessively drained sands or gravels. They have a high rate of water transmission. B. The soils have a moderate infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly are moderately deep to deep, moderately well drained to well drained soils that have moderately fine to moderately coarse textures. They have a moderate rate of water transmission. C. The soils have a slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly have a layer that impedes downward movement of water or have moderately fine to fine texture. They have a slow rate of water transmission. D. (High runoff potential). The soils have a very slow infiltration rate when thoroughly wetted. They chiefly consist of clay soils that have a high swelling potential, soils that have a permanent high water table, soils that have a claypan or clay layer at or near the surface, and shallow soils over nearly impervious material. They have a very slow rate of water transmission. Soils with a classification of A and/or B are generally suitable for infiltration, and soil classifications of C and/or D are generally unsuitable for infiltration. The soils located within the park feature a low runoff potential (HaB = B, MrB/MrC = A) and tend to have moderate to high rates of infiltration. Topography The existing topography of the site is relatively gentle and features 2 to 15 percent slopes according to the mapped soil series, which generally slope downward moving from north to south within the park. A highpoint in the northern part of the park off of Smith Road slopes down toward the recreational parking area. The land again slopes downward to the south of the recreational parking area towards the football field. Vegetation The majority of vegetation within the park consists of maintained fields and lawns. Sparse trees occur throughout the park and are particularly concentrated at the northern and southern ends of the park. In addition, rows of small trees and shrubs have been planted on the adjacent parcels along the southwestern edge of the park. Wildlife The potential for wildlife habitat at Autumn Meadows Park is limited due to the lack of habitat diversity. However, given the rural nature of some of the adjoining lands and the large forested tracts to the south of the park, it is possible that deer, a variety of bird species, and other wildlife could frequent the area. Site Analysis General Observations and Conclusions Halfmoon Township Park Site amenities are random and not convenient. The park site is fully developed with limited opportunities for expansion. The central area between the two ball fields is ideally located to serve as a civic space for the community and park. The municipal building and the youth baseball field are the only facilities that appear to provide ADA access. No walkways or trails exists to any other facility. Provide ADA access to all facilities. There are multiple drainage ways and conveyance systems throughout main use areas of the park. Municipal Lane is 15-18ft in width. During peak events the parking area does not provide enough capacity and Municipal lane serves as an overflow area for parallel parking thereby restricting access to the park. Municipal Lane must be widened to provide adequate vehicular circulation, reduce conflicts, and ensure that emergency access is maintained to the park at all times. Both the youth baseball and the softball field do not have optimum orientation. The youth baseball field is lighted. The existing development pattern and natural features provide natural separation of existing and potential uses. The park areas are further defined by use areas and grading patterns. Redevelopment efforts should seek to unify the park and create seamless transitions between use areas. The adjacent farm along the southwestern boundary should be respected in the design. Adequate buffer for the adjacent cattle field should be considered. The site is located within high quality watershed and will require special attention for storm water management. In addition there are currently no facilities to manage runoff 70

73 Appendix C: Site Inventory and Analysis from the site. The site soils pose some development restrictions. Depth to water table and to bedrock should be considered in the design. The ultimate decision regarding the future of the municipal building will impact the proposed park improvements. A flexible approach to accommodating suggested alternatives for re-use of the building must be provided. Remove outdated play equipment. There are several pieces that do not meet current safety standards and should be evaluated by a Certified Playground and Safety Inspector (CPSI). The existing merry go round is one such piece that does not appear to have a governor. The level of maintenance for the park is inconsistent. Some areas are maintained to a very high level, while other areas have minimal investment and card. The level of maintenance should be consistent for the entire park and all its facilities. Autumn Meadow Park The existing parking area currently serves as a designated drop point for recycling. Four containers are located at the park entry. The containers should be relocated to a more suitable site and a more appealing entryway developed. The site is wide open and limited in landscaping and aesthetic treatments. A landscape plan to enhance the site points, define use areas, and provide shade for park users should be developed. There is a large drainage channel and detention facility that bisects the park and is currently maintained as lawn. Additionally there are several adjacent sloped areas that are not suitable for the development of additional facilities and or uses. These areas should be retrofitted and naturalized as meadows to minimize maintenance requirements while serving to attract and enhance the wildlife value of the park. The existing drainage pipe under Sky Harbor Drive is large and lengthy and is a safety concern since it is not provide adequate protection for unauthorized entry. The existing pavilion and Restroom/concession Building are located at the edge of the parking area. A physical separation should be provided to delineate the pedestrian and vehicular areas. A loop trail to connect the existing facilities, adjacent neighborhood, and provide ADA access should be developed. The existing park buildings should be enhanced to maximize recreational and community use. Consideration should be given to separating the existing maintenance facility from recreational facilities. The multi-purpose field was developed with an east/ west orientation and does not provide optimum solar orientation. The park has seen significant recent investments in structures which must be considered in the overall planned improvements and retrofits. Applicable Laws and Regulations As public parks, Halfmoon Township and Autumn Meadow Park must comply with numerous laws and regulations. Some of the laws and regulations applicable in consideration of park development are noted below but the list is not intended to be all-inclusive. Public playgrounds should meet the guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidelines for Public Playground Safety. These guidelines establish the standard of care for public playground design, layout, and maintenance. The safety surfacing in playgrounds shall meet the requirements of the American Society for Testing and Materials F Playground safety surfacing material and depth must comply with this standard. Public areas of the park including parking areas, trails, picnic pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms, playgrounds, overlooks, and other areas must be accessible to physically challenged and visually impaired visitors to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Protection of wetland areas and streams are regulated under Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (Chapter 105) via General Permits regulates minor disturbance of wetlands and streams. Improvements in the area of the wetlands or encroachment of the wetlands will require a permit from DEP. The disturbance of earth is regulated both locally and at the state level. A General NPDES Permit for Storm water Discharges Associated With Construction Activities is required for earth disturbance activities which disturb five or more acres or propose earth disturbance activities with a point source discharge to surface waters of the Commonwealth that disturb from one to less than five acres. Construction activities that are not eligible for coverage under the general permit (PA Code Chapter 92) must utilize the Individual NPDES Permit Application for Storm water Discharges Associated with Construction Activities. These activities include, but are not limited to construction activities that require an NPDES Permit and which may affect existing water quality standards or threatened or endangered species and habitat, or construction activities that have the potential for toxic discharge. An approved Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan is required for the disturbance of soil in areas 71

74 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan of 0.5 acres of more. Federal and State agencies regulate the protection of endangered species. An environmental review of the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) listing is required to verify if there are animal or plant species of special concern. This review is initiated through wetland and stream encroachment permits, NPDES permits, and sewage planning module permits. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Sewage Planning Module permits are required for the expansion and/or development of sewage facilities. A sewage planning module will be required as new restroom facilities are developed in the park. Laws of the Commonwealth protect significant historic areas and structures. If historic areas and structures are affected by park modifications or development or if improvements reveal areas of historic significance, a review by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission will be required. Development of park improvements may require the approval of the local municipality and the review of the County Planning agency. Land Development Plans are required for improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots for any purpose involving a single nonresidential building. The need for land development plan approval will be based on the scope of the improvement project and the municipality s interpretation of their Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. As improvement projects are contemplated, Muhlenberg Township should be consulted to determine the need for Land Development Plan processing and approval. The development of property, buildings, and structures is regulated by municipal building codes. As improvements are contemplated they should be discussed with the municipality. Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry requires Occupancy Permits for structure for fire and panic safety requirements. All new buildings and building renovations will require Labor & Industry approval prior to occupancy. The proposed pavilions will not require Labor & Industry approval but restrooms will. The access to or improvements within the right-of-way of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) roadways requires a Highway Occupancy Permit issued by PennDOT. 72

75 Appendix D: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report

76 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Early Coordination Because the Environmental Review Tool is easily accessible to the public, it is recommended that PNDI coordination be completed prior to project development and submission of any permit applications. During instances when the PNDI search indicates potential impacts, early consultation with the proper special concern species or resource jurisdictional agencies (preferably prior to plan development) is crucial. Early consultation not only minimizes associated delays and cost, but also facilitates the integration of more effective conservation measures into project planning. Source: PNDI_Introduction.aspx Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report Introduction The Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory Environmental Review Tool (PNDI ER Tool) enables the public to perform online PNDI searches for potential impacts to threatened, endangered, special concern species and special concern resources in PA. Anyone including property owners, consultants, project planners and PA DEP or PA CCD staff can access the tool for PNDI project screening. The PNDI ER Tool is used prior to submitting permit applications to DEP or during any project pre-planning phases. The user performs the search online using the ER Tool, prints the results from the search (called PNDI Environmental Review Receipt ) and follows the instructions on the receipt. For more information about the receipt results and what they mean, please visit the PNDI Receipt page. In order to adequately provide for the protection of special concern species and resources while also reducing the number of false hits when conducting PNDI searches, it is important that the correct project area and type is entered into the PNDI ER Tool. If you believe you have entered the information incorrectly, please rerun the search. Large Projects Some projects are too large to be drawn in the PNDI Environmental Review Tool and are therefore called Large Projects. To find out if your project is a Large Project, please visit the Large Project Information Page. Resource Agency Jurisdiction A PNDI ER Tool web-site inquiry generates on-line search results concerning the potential impacts of a project to special concern species and resources. Four government agencies have jurisdiction over the protection of these resources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federally listed, proposed & candidate species Statute: Endangered Species Act of U.S.C et seq. Pennsylvania Game Commission PA state-listed birds and mammals Statute: Game and Wildlife Code 34 Pa. C.S.A. 101 et seq. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission PA state-listed fish, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic organisms Statute: Fish and Boat Code 30 Pa. C.S.A. 101 et seq. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources PA state-listed plants, natural communities, terrestrial invertebrates and geological features Statute: Wild Resources Conservation Act 32 P.S et seq. 74

77 Appendix D: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report PNDI Report PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: PROJECT INFORMATION Project Name: Halfmoon Township Park, Centre County PA Date of review: 5/22/2014 1:35:26 PM Project Category: Recreation,Campgrounds/parking lots, playgrounds Project Area: 13.3 acres County: Centre Township/Municipality: Half Moon Quadrangle Name: PORT MATILDA ~ ZIP Code: Decimal Degrees: N, W Degrees Minutes Seconds: 40 47' 43 N, W 2. SEARCH RESULTS Agency Results Response PA Game Commission No Known Impact No Further Review Required PA Department of Conservation No Known Impact No Further Review Required and Natural Resources PA Fish and Boat Commission No Known Impact No Further Review Required U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service No Known Impact No Further Review Required As summarized above, Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) records indicate no known impacts to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources within the project area. Therefore, based on the information you provided, no further coordination is required with the jurisdictional agencies. This response does not reflect potential agency concerns regarding impacts to other ecological resources, such as wetlands. 75

78 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: AGENCY COMMENTS Regardless of whether a DEP permit is necessary for this proposed project, any potential impacts to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources must be resolved with the appropriate jurisdictional agency. In some cases, a permit or authorization from the jurisdictional agency may be needed if adverse impacts to these species and habitats cannot be avoided. These agency determinations and responses are valid for two years (from the date of the review), and are based on the project information that was provided, including the exact project location; the project type, description, and features; and any responses to questions that were generated during this search. If any of the following change: 1) project location, 2) project size or configuration, 3) project type, or 4) responses to the questions that were asked during the online review, the results of this review are not valid, and the review must be searched again via the PNDI Environmental Review Tool and resubmitted to the jurisdictional agencies. The PNDI tool is a primary screening tool, and a desktop review may reveal more or fewer impacts than what is listed on this PNDI receipt. The jursidictional agencies strongly advise against conducting surveys for the species listed on the receipt prior to consultation with the agencies. PA Game Commission RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. PA Fish and Boat Commission RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service RESPONSE: No impacts to federally listed or proposed species are anticipated. Therefore, no further consultation/coordination under the Endangered Species Act (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C et seq. is required. Because no take of federally listed species is anticipated, none is authorized. This response does not reflect potential Fish and Wildlife Service concerns under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act or other authorities. 4. DEP INFORMATION The Pa Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires that a signed copy of this receipt, along with any required documentation from jurisdictional agencies concerning resolution of potential impacts, be submitted with applications for permits requiring PNDI review. For cases where a "Potential Impact" to threatened and endangered species has been identified before the application has been submitted to DEP, the application should not be submitted until the impact has been resolved. For cases where "Potential Impact" to special concern species and resources has been identified before the application has been submitted, the application should be submitted to DEP along with the PNDI receipt. The PNDI Receipt should also be submitted to the appropriate agency according to directions on the PNDI Receipt. DEP and the jurisdictional agency will work together to resolve the potential impact(s). See the DEP PNDI policy at 76

79 Appendix D: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The PNDI environmental review website is a preliminary screening tool. There are often delays in updating species status classifications. Because the proposed status represents the best available information regarding the conservation status of the species, state jurisdictional agency staff give the proposed statuses at least the same consideration as the current legal status. If surveys or further information reveal that a threatened and endangered and/or special concern species and resources exist in your project area, contact the appropriate jurisdictional agency/agencies immediately to identify and resolve any impacts. For a list of species known to occur in the county where your project is located, please see the species lists by county found on the PA Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) home page ( Also note that the PNDI Environmental Review Tool only contains information about species occurrences that have actually been reported to the PNHP. 6. AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Ecological Services Section 400 Market Street, PO Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA Fax:(717) PA Fish and Boat Commission Division of Environmental Services 450 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, PA NO Faxes Please 7. PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Section 315 South Allen Street, Suite 322, State College, PA NO Faxes Please. PA Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management Division of Environmental Planning and Habitat Protection 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA Fax:(717) Name: Company/Business Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone:( ) Fax:( ) 8. CERTIFICATION I certify that ALL of the project information contained in this receipt (including project location, project size/configuration, project type, answers to questions) is true, accurate and complete. In addition, if the project type, location, size or configuration changes, or if the answers to any questions that were asked during this online review change, I agree to re-do the online environmental review. applicant/project proponent signature date 77

80 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan PNDI Report PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: PROJECT INFORMATION Project Name: Autumn Meadows Park, Centre County PA Date of review: 5/22/2014 1:46:12 PM Project Category: Recreation,Campgrounds/parking lots, playgrounds Project Area: 12.1 acres County: Centre Township/Municipality: Half Moon Quadrangle Name: PORT MATILDA ~ ZIP Code: 16870,16877 Decimal Degrees: N, W Degrees Minutes Seconds: 40 46' 12 N, W 2. SEARCH RESULTS Agency Results Response PA Game Commission No Known Impact No Further Review Required PA Department of Conservation No Known Impact No Further Review Required and Natural Resources PA Fish and Boat Commission No Known Impact No Further Review Required U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service No Known Impact No Further Review Required As summarized above, Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) records indicate no known impacts to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources within the project area. Therefore, based on the information you provided, no further coordination is required with the jurisdictional agencies. This response does not reflect potential agency concerns regarding impacts to other ecological resources, such as wetlands. 78

81 Appendix D: Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) Report PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: AGENCY COMMENTS Regardless of whether a DEP permit is necessary for this proposed project, any potential impacts to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources must be resolved with the appropriate jurisdictional agency. In some cases, a permit or authorization from the jurisdictional agency may be needed if adverse impacts to these species and habitats cannot be avoided. These agency determinations and responses are valid for two years (from the date of the review), and are based on the project information that was provided, including the exact project location; the project type, description, and features; and any responses to questions that were generated during this search. If any of the following change: 1) project location, 2) project size or configuration, 3) project type, or 4) responses to the questions that were asked during the online review, the results of this review are not valid, and the review must be searched again via the PNDI Environmental Review Tool and resubmitted to the jurisdictional agencies. The PNDI tool is a primary screening tool, and a desktop review may reveal more or fewer impacts than what is listed on this PNDI receipt. The jursidictional agencies strongly advise against conducting surveys for the species listed on the receipt prior to consultation with the agencies. PA Game Commission RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. PA Fish and Boat Commission RESPONSE: No Impact is anticipated to threatened and endangered species and/or special concern species and resources. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service RESPONSE: No impacts to federally listed or proposed species are anticipated. Therefore, no further consultation/coordination under the Endangered Species Act (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C et seq. is required. Because no take of federally listed species is anticipated, none is authorized. This response does not reflect potential Fish and Wildlife Service concerns under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act or other authorities. 4. DEP INFORMATION The Pa Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requires that a signed copy of this receipt, along with any required documentation from jurisdictional agencies concerning resolution of potential impacts, be submitted with applications for permits requiring PNDI review. For cases where a "Potential Impact" to threatened and endangered species has been identified before the application has been submitted to DEP, the application should not be submitted until the impact has been resolved. For cases where "Potential Impact" to special concern species and resources has been identified before the application has been submitted, the application should be submitted to DEP along with the PNDI receipt. The PNDI Receipt should also be submitted to the appropriate agency according to directions on the PNDI Receipt. DEP and the jurisdictional agency will work together to resolve the potential impact(s). See the DEP PNDI policy at 79

82 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan PNDI Project Environmental Review Receipt Project Search ID: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The PNDI environmental review website is a preliminary screening tool. There are often delays in updating species status classifications. Because the proposed status represents the best available information regarding the conservation status of the species, state jurisdictional agency staff give the proposed statuses at least the same consideration as the current legal status. If surveys or further information reveal that a threatened and endangered and/or special concern species and resources exist in your project area, contact the appropriate jurisdictional agency/agencies immediately to identify and resolve any impacts. For a list of species known to occur in the county where your project is located, please see the species lists by county found on the PA Natural Heritage Program (PNHP) home page ( Also note that the PNDI Environmental Review Tool only contains information about species occurrences that have actually been reported to the PNHP. 6. AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry, Ecological Services Section 400 Market Street, PO Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA Fax:(717) PA Fish and Boat Commission Division of Environmental Services 450 Robinson Lane, Bellefonte, PA NO Faxes Please 7. PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Section 315 South Allen Street, Suite 322, State College, PA NO Faxes Please. PA Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management Division of Environmental Planning and Habitat Protection 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA Fax:(717) Name: Company/Business Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Phone:( ) Fax:( ) 8. CERTIFICATION I certify that ALL of the project information contained in this receipt (including project location, project size/configuration, project type, answers to questions) is true, accurate and complete. In addition, if the project type, location, size or configuration changes, or if the answers to any questions that were asked during this online review change, I agree to re-do the online environmental review. applicant/project proponent signature date 80

83 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability

84 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Use a systems thinking approach Understand and value the relationships in an ecosystem and use an approach that reflects and sustains ecosystem services; re-establish the integral and essential relationship between natural processes and human activity. Use a collaborative and ethical approach Encourage direct and open communication among colleagues, clients, manufacturers and users to link long-term sustainability with ethical responsibility. Maintain integrity in leadership and research Implement transparent and participatory leadership, develop research with technical rigor and communicate new findings in a clear, consistent and timely manner. Foster environmental stewardship In all aspects of land development and management, foster an ethic of environmental stewardship - an understanding that responsible management of healthy ecosystems improves the quality of life for present and future generations. Taken from The Sustainable Sites Initiative, Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks American Society of Landscape Architects. Green Design The redevelopment of the park provides an opportunity to incorporate green design techniques. Integration of green design principals and techniques for future construction/ improvements is encouraged to minimize the impact of park development on the natural resources. Please see Appendix A for the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability. Applying Sustainability Introduction Sustainability and green design considerations have become increasingly important, and applying these values to park design has become a standard. As defined by Creating Sustainable Community Parks: A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources, a sustainable community park is one where natural resources are protected, wildlife habitats are improved and human recreational uses and maintenance practices do not conflict with, but rather enhance, the surrounding environment. The recently published Draft Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks for Sustainable Sites Initiative, further defines sustainability as land practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The green initiative allows for the park to become and maintain self-sufficiency, while reducing the amount of time and cost that must be required to maintain certain areas in both the long and short-terms. A sustainable park produces the following benefits to a community: economic benefits by attracting users to the park and the surrounding areas where the park resides; environmental benefits by reducing impacts to the environment and providing a safe area for wildlife; and health and safety benefits by giving the community a educational environment, allowing for active activities, and reducing crime, creating stronger/safer neighborhoods surrounding the park. Do no harm Make no changes to the site that will degrade the surrounding environment. Promote projects on sites where previous disturbance or development presents an opportunity to regenerate ecosystem services through sustainable design. Precautionary principle Be cautious in making decisions that could create risk to human and environmental health. Some actions can cause irreversible damage. Examine a full range of alternatives including no action and be open to contributions from all affected parties. Design with nature and culture Create and implement designs that are responsive to economic, environmental and cultural conditions with respect to the local, regional and global context. Use a decision-making hierarchy of preservation, conservation and regeneration Maximize and mimic the benefits of ecosystem services by preserving existing environmental features, conserving resources in a sustainable manner and regenerating lost or damaged ecosystem services. Provide regenerative systems as intergenerational equity Provide future generations with a sustainable environment supported by regenerative systems and endowed with regenerative resources. Support a living process Continuously re-evaluate assumptions and values and adapt to demographic and environmental change. 82

85 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Green Design Considerations Consideration Intent Application Erosion and sedimentation control Reduce site disturbance Develop sustainable trails Stormwater management Reduce negative impact on air and water quality Limit development to appropriate sites to reduce the impact on the landscape and habitat. Limit erosion attributed to inappropriate trail placement. Limit disruption and pollution of natural water courses, reduce increased runoff and promote infiltration. Provide erosion control measures and best management practices (BMPs) during new construction activities. Eliminate impact to steep slope areas. Construct improvements within existing clearings or developed areas. Develop trails that follow the contour of the land. Use switchbacks to navigate steep terrain where necessary. Eliminate highly erodible trails. Minimize crossings at water courses. Where crossings are necessary, provide measures for efficient passage of water. Utilize porous pavement to promote infiltration of stormwater runoff. Size parking areas to meet parking need and provide turf overflow parking for high use occurrences and special events. Reduce heat islands Minimize impact of microclimate. Provide plantings in the large, expansive parking areas to break up the hard surface and promote infiltration. Dawn to dusk policy where appropriate. Reduce light pollution Innovative wastewater treatment Recycled building materials Local materials and suppliers Maximize solar orientation Improve night sky visibility and reduce impact on nocturnal environments. Reduce the generation of wastewater and potable water demand Limit the use of consumptive building materials Support the local economy and reduce the environmental impact resulting from transportation Reduce electric needs through proper building orientation. Limit lighting within the park. Where night lighting is necessary for safety and security, provide shields or specify full cut-off fixtures and only specify the necessary lumens. Provide self mulching or other environmentally friendly treatment alternatives. Utilize recycled plastic and building materials in new construction. Purchase products locally produced. Orient buildings to take advantage of natural light and heat. 83

86 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Green Design Considerations Consideration Intent Application Energy consumption Minimize use of fossil fuels. Install a ground source geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling of buildings. Plant deciduous trees to cool buildings in the summer and allow solar access in winter. Layout and orient buildings and outdoor use areas to take advantage of cooling summer breezes. Connect park sites to regional trail systems so that non-motorized transportation modes can be used to access the site. Install solar powered amenities/features. Promote water conservation Use water efficiently Emphasize and promote recycling Participate in LEED system. Reduce water use to lower burden on supply. Maximize water collection to reduce burden on supply. Reduce the amount of new materials required and lower the demand for new materials to be produced. Employ the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System on site as the national standard for Green Design. Select native and drought tolerant plants to reduce watering and maintenance demands. Mulch landscape areas to retain moisture and minimize the need to water plants. Collect rainwater and runoff in rain barrels for watering landscaping and maintenance needs. Direct rainwater to rain gardens to promote groundwater recharge. Use high efficiency fixtures and composting toilets to reduce demand. Use re-circulating and water treatment systems for splash pads and spray features. Reuse existing buildings, materials and infrastructure. Build with salvaged materials whenever available. Use the LEED project checklist for all aspects of design from erosion & sedimentation control to green power and materials. Best Management Practices Development of the park as conceived in this master plan will involve earthwork and construction activities. Best Management Practices (BMPs) are encouraged throughout the construction process to protect the resources and stabilize them through creative design. Best Management Practices will promote a stable future for the site. Detailed Examples of Best Management Practices can be found in Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Some basic examples are listed below for informational purposes and should be considered where applicable in the redevelopment of the park. Incorporation of these facilities will require site specific soils testing to determine infiltration rates and plan for incorporation of applicable BMPs. 84

87 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Green Design Considerations Consideration Intent Application Constructed treatment wetlands Critical area planting Filter strip Grass swales Level spreader Stream bank stabilization Minimize site clearing Reduce impervious infrastructure Best management plan for construction activities Remove a wide variety of pollutants such as suspended solids, nutrients, and organic pollutants. Stabilize slope, improve wildlife habitat, slow stormwater run-off. To trap sediment and convey run-off from paved surfaces to stormwater channels and reduce run-off velocity. Run-off conveyance, pollution, and sediment filtering device and increased ground water infiltration. To reduce the erosion effects of concentrated run-off and promote infiltration. Protect critical sections of a stream bank where standard vegetative practices are not feasible or offer insufficient protection. Minimize disruption to the site s natural systems and preserve the natural stabilizing and filtering vegetation of the site. Reduce stormwater run-off and promote infiltration. To prevent soil erosion, sediment, and other pollutants from entering springs, streams, ponds, etc. Shallow water-filled basins planted with emergent plant vegetation. Place at stream/ drainage-way outfall to water bodies. Areas of erodible soils and/or steep slope and at the edge of the stream and perimeter of pond. Adjacent to impervious surfaces and on gentle slopes with sheet flow. Adjacent to springs, streams and ponds to filter sediment. Where natural drainage ways can be incorporated into the stormwater design in lieu of piped conveyance. Adjacent to paved surfaces and at pipe and channel discharge points. Banks of springs, streams or swales that need to be stabilized due to unstable soil and steep banks. Where development is proposed. Where development is proposed. Reduce driveway width, parking area dimensions, and paved areas to minimum dimensions. Utilize coarse aggregate porous surface in lieu of impervious pavement. Utilize stabilized turf for overflow parking. Where development is proposed. Utilize during construction and post-construction period. 85

88 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan DCNR Green Principles When planted along waterways, native plants protect ponds and streams by filtering pollutants and preventing erosion. Grass Maintenance: Cool season turf grass, a staple of traditional parks, should be limited to human-use areas such as ball fields and picnic groves. Native cool season grasses, such as Canada and Virginia wildrye, should be used in place of non-native cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Warm season grasses can be used to establish a meadow to provide wildlife habitat or used as attractive landscaping. Native warm season grasses include big bluestem, little bluestem, and switchgrass. 1 Maintenance over a 20-year span for a non-native turf grass landscape can cost almost seven times more than the cumulative costs of maintenance for a native prairie or wetland. ~U.S. EPA, 2007 Even if you keep some area in lawn, much can be done to lessen environmental impacts: 3 Reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides by practicing Integrated Pest Management. Use a mulching mower so that clippings can remain on the lawn and provide nutrients as they decompose. Where the lawn is small, use a non-powered reel mower. (Modern models of the reel mower are much easier to use than the older models.) Keep gas-powered mowers in efficient operating condition (well-tuned, sharp blades) and raise the cutting height to during the hot summer months to keep the grass roots shaded and cooler, reducing weed growth, browning, and need for watering. If you don t use a mulching mower, compost excess grass clippings in your yard and later use it as a soil amendment around trees and shrubs. Learn to tolerate some weeds or a greater variety of plants in the lawn. Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability Principle #1: Maintain and Enhance Trees and Natural Landscaping Natural landscapes provide vital undisturbed habitat for plant and animal species, some of which may be threatened or endangered. Projects of all types can preserve and enhance these habitats by incorporating natural landscaping which is the use of an aesthetic variety of primarily native plantings well adapted to the local climate and soil. Natural landscapes can provide a cost effective alternative to conventional turf lawns. Preserving existing natural vegetation including valuable natural areas such as wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands is a fundamental purpose of natural landscaping.2 Designing with a variety of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers can help eliminate large areas of unnecessary turf lawn. Minimizing the amount of turf lawn while maximizing the natural landscape increases water infiltration rates, reduces the maintenance requirement of expensive lawn equipment, reduces noise and emission pollution, minimizes the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and requires little to no watering. While not maintenance free, a well-established natural landscape requires less money for ongoing maintenance than conventional landscapes. The following are some concepts to think about when designing natural landscapes: Why Plant Native Vegetation? Pennsylvania s native plants are those that were growing naturally in Pennsylvania prior to Europeans arriving. Pennsylvania has over 3,081 species of native trees, shrubs, flowers, and other forms of plants. Landscaping with native plants has several appealing factors. Native plants are: 4 Adapted to Pennsylvania s soils and climate thus reducing the need for supplementary watering and other horticultural amendments. Native plants are an integral part of the larger biological community involving beneficial and pollinating insects, wildlife and ultimately, all of us. Offer food and shelter for many species all year long and are the foundation for a healthy, diverse habitat. Require less care and watering when established. Thrive with less fertilizer. (Most native plants will not need fertilizer once they are established. When fertilizers are used, they should be of the organic or slow-release varieties, should be used no more than once or twice a year, and should be used in as small a quantity as possible. 1 ) Provide carefree beauty that enhance any garden or landscape and create a special sense of place. Native plants growing in their home environment are naturally more resistant to diseases, pests, or physiological disorders. 86

89 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Don t over-fertilize. A slow-release organic fertilizer applied once, in the fall, is usually sufficient. Enhancing and protecting meadows that contain native grasses and wildflowers is a great way to attract wildlife and save on lawn maintenance equipment costs. Common meadow wildflowers include black-eyed Susan, sunflower, aster, and goldenrod. Warm season grasses are prime habitat for grassland and ground-nesting birds; birds such as bobolink, Eastern meadowlark, and grasshopper sparrow require at least 25 acres of grassland for survival. However, other birds, such as goldfinch, field sparrow, Eastern bluebird, Eastern phoebe, and Eastern kingbird, do occupy smaller grasslands. 7 Protect Existing Features: Mature trees enhance air quality and reduce pollution, enhance water quality and reduce erosion, and can reduce energy costs when properly planted around a building. When appropriate, design the site to protect existing trees. During excavation of the project site be sure the trees root zones are protected. Therefore it is recommended that any excavation occur outside the perimeter of the tree canopy. 5 Topsoil is the most fertile portion of soil and the most valuable. It requires 500 years under natural conditions to produce an inch of topsoil. 6 The natural fertility of topsoil promotes healthier grass and reduces the amount of fertilizer required to establish landscape plantings. Therefore one of the most important steps during construction and planting projects is to retain as much existing topsoil as possible. The best option is to stockpile and reuse the topsoil instead of removing it from the site. Using the existing topsoil not only saves money, but also minimizes disturbance that could encourage the growth of invasive plants. Local and regional greenways are excellent and appropriate locations for natural landscaping. Many greenways contain rivers, streams, or other waterways. 2 In these locations a variety of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers planted in buffers adjacent to the stream provide wildlife habitat, bank stabilization, filter pollutant and sediment runoff, and create a healthy stream ecosystem for fish and stream invertebrates. To provide the maximum benefits a buffer should be 100 feet or more on each side of the stream, although smaller buffers are better than nothing and will still provide some benefits. Floodplains provide many important services and should be protected from development. Floodplains reduce flood velocities and flood peaks, reduce erosion potential and impacts, provide a broad area for streams to spread out and for temporary storage of floodwater, reduce sediment loads, filter nutrients, process organic and chemical wastes, and moderate water temperature. Maintaining native vegetation in floodplains helps absorb and slow flood waters reducing the impact a flood may have on downstream communities. 8 Undisturbed soil and vegetation provide important stormwater functions including: water infiltration; nutrient, sediment, and pollutant adsorption; sediment and pollutant biofiltration; water storage and transmission; and pollutant decomposition. These functions are largely lost when development strips away native soil and vegetation and replaces it with minimal topsoil and sod. 11 Plant Trees: Maintaining and planting trees have many benefits. Trees reduce CO2 levels and increase oxygen, play an important role in stormwater management by reducing erosion and sediment runoff, improve water quality, help cool our planet by providing the service of carbon sequestration which happens when trees store carbon in their roots and trunks keeping it from entering the atmosphere, save energy when properly planted around a building, increase property values, and studies have shown that trees can significantly reduce stress levels and accelerate healing time. Pennsylvania, through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation and the Bureau of Forestry has developed a public private partnership, through regional collaboration, to address the loss of tree cover in Pennsylvania. This program called TreeVitalize has established goals to plant 1 million shade trees, restore forests along streams and water protection areas, build capacity for long term urban forest management, establish strong urban forestry partnerships in all 14 metro areas in Pennsylvania, and train 10,000 citizens to plant and care for trees; over a 5 year period. To learn more about TreeVitalize and to find out how you can get involved visit Compost: Leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris clog landfills, taking up 20-40% of landfill space. This so-called waste is actually a valuable natural resource that once decomposed offers a nutrient rich organic matter that can be a source of mulch or can be added to soil as a natural fertilizer. Compost can also help soil retain some of its moisture content. Compost can be made on-site, or can be brought in from a municipal composting facility.3 To learn more about composting visit Invasive Plant Removal An invasive non-native plant is one that is not natural to the ecosystem under consideration, and when introduced cause or are likely to cause harm to the economy, to the environment, or to human health. Invasive plants can be trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, or flowers, and they can reproduce rapidly by roots, seeds, shoots, or all three. 87

90 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Why are Invasive plants so detrimental? Natural predators and diseases can t compete when non-native plants are introduced. Most invasive plants are introduced from other continents, leaving behind in their native homeland natural controls like pests, diseases and predators, which serve to keep these species in check. Due to this absence of natural controls, invasive plants reproduce rapidly and can form stands that exclude nearly all other plants. In the process, they damage natural areas, altering ecosystem processes and displacing desirable native plant species. Plants like kudzu, purple loosestrife, and garlic mustard are displacing native plants and degrading habitat for native insects, birds, and animals. Invasive plants endanger some rare and threatened native species of plants and animals, which are especially vulnerable because they occur in such small populations. Invasive non-native plants often do not provide as much food and other habitat value as native plants do. Invasive plants, even when grown in a cultivated yard, can spread, escape, and cause landscape maintenance weeding problems for years to come. Some invasive plants release toxic chemicals that kill other plants. Land managers who are faced with the daunting task of managing or controlling invasive species on natural lands rely on resources like the Invasive Exotic Plant (IEP) Management Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers in order to implement effective management, control and education programs This tutorial provides a one-stop-shop for natural resource managers who are interested in organizing on-the-ground efforts to prevent, manage and control IEPs. 9 References: 1 DCNR. Creating Sustainable Community Parks. A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources. 2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A Source Book on Natural Landscaping for Public Officials. greenacres/toolkit/chap1.html#purpose 3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mid-Atlantic Region Green Landscaping. what.htm 4 National Wildlife Federation. Native Plants. American Beauties- Why Use Native Plants? cfm/fuseaction/home.why/index.htm 5 Santa Monica Green Building Program. Inventory, Mark and Protect Topsoil, Trees and Vegetation to be Retained. greenbuildings.santa-monica.org/construction/topsoiltree. html 6 Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service. Importance of Topsoil. 7 Natural Lands Trust. Meadows in Southeastern Pennsylvania. pdf 8 Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Division of Water Fact Sheet. Natural Benefits of Floodplains. oh.us/portals/7/pubs/pdfs/fctsht50.pdf 9 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Invasive Exotic Plant Tutorial for Natural Lands Managers. htm 10 Maryland Department of Natural Resources- Forestry. The Benefits of Urban Trees. Urban and Community Forestry: Improving Our Quality of Life. Forests/Publications/urban.html 11 Building Soil. Guidelines and Resources for Implementing Soil Quality and Depth BMP T Edition. soilsforsalmon.org/pdf/soil_bmp_manual.pdf Additional Resources: Arbor Day Foundation. The Value of Trees to a Community. Earnst Seed Company. aspx National Wildlife Federation. Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The University of Tennessee. A Landowner s Guide to Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South. utextension.utk.edu/publications/pbfiles/pb1746.pdf U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. GreenScapes Alliance. reg3esd1/garden/ 88

91 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Pennsylvania s Composting Home Page. Department of Environmental Protection. landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?a=1338&q= Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Landscaping with Native Plants in Pennsylvania. iconserve Pennsylvania. Plant Natives. org/plantnatives.html The Natural Lawn & Garden: Growing Healthy Soils. csb/documents/webcontent/growinghe_ pdf 89

92 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability Principle #2: Connect People to Nature When designing a site for public use (whether a park, trail, greenway, playground, or community pool) there is a concept called human well-being that is addressed in the National Sustainable Sites Initiative Standards and Guidelines Report 1 and should be considered during development of the site plan. Listed below are several ideas taken directly from the Report1. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) iconserve program also provides for the connection of human well-being to outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship. Learn more about iconservepa at iconservepa.org/. Provide opportunities for interaction with nature Provide a diverse landscape to support a broad range of users and activities; including spaces for physical activity, nature/discovery trails, access paths to streams, way-finding features, and cues to care, which are design devices (such as mowed edges or low fences) that communicate that a naturalistic landscape welcomes users. Design spaces that address children s needs Provide pedestrian-only areas so children and youth can play without concern for traffic. Provide parks and open spaces that serve several residential areas, which give children a sense of place and belonging. Provide interesting landscape places (designed and naturalistic) that enable exploratory play. For example boulders for climbing, streams for discovery, open meadows with trails, sensory gardens (where children can touch, smell, and even taste plants), and large trees and other natural features for hide-and-seek and unstructured games. Provide opportunities for passive experiences with nature Maintain all possible trees on-site. Optimize water views or provide fountains. Place and configure plantings that achieve other ecosystem services (such as rain gardens for infiltration and stormwater management) to provide visual amenities. Establish nature trails, and wildlife viewing areas. Educate site users Create demonstration gardens that allow visitors to observe biodiversity and learn how they can establish the same type of garden at their home. Protect wetlands and other natural areas and provide interpretive materials to education about the benefits provided by these features. Facilitate wildlife viewing and learning, by establishing bird boxes and observation areas with educational exhibits about the types of wildlife visitors might see. Provide interpretive materials or stations that inform about local ecosystems and their functions. Incorporate signs that explain how no mow zones are beneficial for humans and wildlife. Provide spaces for social interaction Create small theme gardens (such as color, texture, smell, butterfly, etc.). Create community greens that can serve as outdoor meeting rooms, break or study spaces, and spaces for organizational events and celebrations. Ensure that user spaces are safe and secure using Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles (see for more information). Support on-site food production in healthy environments Establish a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) area for local residents to enjoy growing their own vegetables on a designated plot of land. Consider local cultures/communities and their needs Identify local groups of potential users and provide amenities that address the needs or support the culture of local people. Plant Trees Trees are beneficial additions to any site. Planting trees should be considered during the planning and developing of all recreational sites. Trees have direct human benefits such as creating effective sound barriers that can muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls; producing oxygen, absorbing and locking away carbon dioxide, and cleaning the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees shade and cool reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer and break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs in the winter. Trees fight soil erosion and reduce water runoff and sediment deposition after storms. References: 1Sustainable Sites Initiative. Standards and Guidelines: Preliminary Report. November 1, sustainablesites.org/report.html Additional Resources: Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension. From the Woods. Community Forests. Arbor Day Foundation. Nature Explore. org/explore/classroom/index.cfm 90

93 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Recreation Management. Nature and Nurture, Trends in Play Design. php?fid=200907fe02 Local Harvest. Community Supported Agriculture. localharvest.org/csa/ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability Principle #3: Manage Stormwater Naturally Stormwater runoff occurs when excess water from rainfall and snow events flows across paved streets, parking lots, rooftops and construction sties. This runoff can be a significant source of pollution and sedimentation ending up in our lakes, rivers, streams and other water bodies. The following are stormwater impacts of conventional development (including parks and recreation areas): Increased flooding Increased runoff volume Decreased evapotranspiration and groundwater recharge Increased frequency of runoff events Erosion and stream channel changes Decreased stream baseflow Impacted aquatic life Pollutant and temperature impacts to streams Goals of natural stormwater management: Capture and detain stormwater runoff as close to the source as possible; Reduce the volume of stormwater entering the combined sewer system; Filter stormwater to remove pollutants before the runoff enters groundwater, streams, or wetlands; Use and promote methods that provide multiple environmental benefits; and Use techniques that are less costly than traditional piped solutions. Consider the following on your site to prevent stormwater from becoming an issue. Create and Enhance Riparian Buffers Riparian buffers and riparian forest buffers are areas of vegetation alongside streams and other bodies of water that mitigate floods, recharge groundwater, prevent erosion and sedimentation of the stream, trap pollutants within plant roots, improve aquatic and terrestrial species habitat, and provide optimum food for stream communities. In these locations native vegetation (ideally a variety of native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers) provides wildlife habitat, bank stabilization, and water quality benefits. 1 Although smaller buffers will still provide some benefits, to provide the maximum benefits a buffer should be a minimum of 100 feet on each side of a perennial or intermittent stream, river, lake, pond, and reservoir. For those bodies of water designated as Exceptional Value or High Quality waters the minimum width should extend to 150 feet. 4 Below is a list of tips for managing buffers: 3 Provide some public access to the water, but keep vegetation clearance to a minimum. Avoid work in streams, wetlands or waterways whenever possible. Don t alter a stream bank or shoreline unless you re returning it to a natural state (banks should normally be sloping and covered with vegetation). Soil disturbance should not take place within the buffer by grading, stripping of topsoil, plowing, cultivating, or other practices. Motorized vehicles should not be stored or operated within the riparian forest buffer. Remove/manage invasive exotic species to keep them from spreading. Improve riparian buffers by planting native trees, shrubs and ground covers that are tolerant of wet or seasonally flooded sites. Avoid or minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers near water-bodies. Protect Wetlands and Critical Recharge Areas Wetland functions include water quality improvement, floodwater storage, fish and wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and biological productivity. Wetlands within and downstream of urban areas are particularly valuable, counteracting the greatly increased rate and volume of surface-water runoff from pavement and buildings. They also recharge groundwater and trap sediment, fertilizers, and pollutants. Construction and other forms of disturbance should be avoided in and near wetlands. A vegetated buffer should be maintained around wetlands wherever possible. Man-made wetlands cannot duplicate all the functions of a natural wetland, so it is critical that natural wetlands be protected whenever possible. 1 Critical recharge areas are typically large contiguous areas of land that allow precipitation and other surface waters 91

94 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan to infiltrate through the soil to recharge the groundwater. Without constant recharge, periods of drought could leave streams and wells dry, thus affecting available drinking water and wildlife habitat. Practicing green and sustainable initiatives (such as those outlined in this series of fact sheets) when developing in or near a wetland or critical recharge area can ensure that these features are preserved and remain fully functional. 1 Design Natural Stormwater Management Systems Natural stormwater management can be more cost-effective than traditional gray infrastructure of pipes and treatment facilities. There are many best management practices (BMPs) for natural stormwater management that minimize the impact of impermeable surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. These BMPs can include designing narrower roads; permeable surfacing for roads, parking lots, trails, walkways, etc; rain gardens and vegetative swales; and rainwater catchment systems for rooftops. The remaining runoff can be directed to native grass swales or rain gardens. Even just planting more native trees near impermeable surfaces can reduce the need for large, expensive stormwater management systems.1 Alternative Pavers A technique for green parking utilizes alternative pavers that can range from medium to relatively high effectiveness in meeting stormwater quality goals. Alternative pavers are permeable or semi-permeable surfaces that can replace asphalt and concrete and can be used for driveways, parking lots and walkways. The different types of alternative pavers include gravel, cobbles, wood mulch, brick, grass pavers, turf blocks, natural stone, pervious concrete, and porous asphalt. 2 Stormwater Wetlands Stormwater wetlands (a.k.a. constructed wetlands) are structural practices similar to wet ponds that incorporate wetland plants in a shallow pool. As stormwater runoff flows through the wetland, pollutant removal is achieved by settling and biological uptake within the practice. Stormwater wetlands are fundamentally different from natural wetland systems. They are designed specifically for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff, and typically have less biodiversity than natural wetlands both in terms of plant and animal life. 2 Common Stormwater BMPs Rain/recharge gardens/bioretention Vegetated filter strips Vegetated swales Porous pavement with infiltration beds French drains/dry wells Vegetated roofs Cisterns/rain barrels/capture reuse Constructed wetlands Riparian corridor restoration Revegetation/reforestation Non-structural Stormwater BMPs Protect sensitive/special value features Protect/enhance riparian areas Protect natural flow pathways Cluster uses at each site; build on the smallest area possible Minimize total disturbed area Minimize soil compaction Revegetate and reforest disturbed areas, using native species References 1 DCNR. Creating Sustainable Community Parks. A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources. 2 The Stormwater Manager s Resource Center. stormwatercenter.net/ 3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mid-Atlantic Region Green Landscaping- Stormwater Control and Managing Natural Areas. Department of Environmental Protection. Bureau of Watershed Management. Riparian Forest Buffer Guidance. Document-76604/ pdf Additional Resources Dauphin County Conservation District. Stormwater Best Management Practices Tour. bmptour.html EPA. Functions and Values of Wetlands. owow/wetlands/pdf/fun_val.pdf\ Final PA Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Manual - ( ) depweb.state.pa.us/watershedmgmt/cwp/view. asp?a=1437&q=529063&watershedmgmtnav= Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment & the California Water & Land Use Partnership. Low Impact Development. A Sensible Approach to Land Development and Stormwater Management. CALWALUP-flier.pdf Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Wellhead Protection Program In Pennsylvania: An Overview. Whppover.doc 92

95 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Shermans Creek Conservation Association. Up The Creek Newsletter. Riparian Buffers? What are Riparian Buffers? The Stormwater Authority. Best Management Practices. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Watersheds. After the Storm. Water Environment Research Foundation. Using Rainwater to Grow Livable Communities. Sustainable Stormwater Best Management Practices. livablecommunities/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Storm Water Technology Fact Sheet- Porous Pavement. landarch.uiuc.edu/resources/courses/coursewebsites/ LA441Web/Readings2006/EPA-PorousPaving.pdf U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices. Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability Principle #4: Conserve Energy The best way to save energy is not to spend it. Renewable energy and energy efficiency mean less air pollution (including mercury, nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide), less water consumption and less waste. It means less dependence on foreign oil and more self-sufficiency. It means less ground level ozone, less acid rain and less particulate matter in the air. Ultimately, this means improved health. There are many opportunities to include renewable energy technology and energy efficiency techniques in site design. Please consider these different alternative energy sources and energy efficiency techniques to power your facilities as you move forward with your project planning and site design. Accomplishing Energy Efficiency The following are some techniques that can be incorporated in your site design to help save energy and money, and benefit the environment at the same time: 8 Include in your site planning a mandatory maintenance schedule for your building to: Clean filters Replace belts Commission the building (give your building a tuneup ) Achieve a certain % of energy consumption HVAC rehab Use state-of-the art, high efficiency, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing equipment, chillers, boilers, and water heaters, etc. Use variable speed drives on fan and pump motors. Use heat recovery ventilators and geothermal heat pump technology for up to 40% energy savings. Programmable system to turn on during the day and off at night Fan cycler/censor to replace or attach to heat pump Waterless urinals Censored faucets On-demand controls in shower houses (faucets, toilets, lighting, fans) Instantaneous water heaters Sky lights Light level meter or dimming system Reduce outdoor night-time light pollution by avoiding over-illumination of the site and use low cut-off exterior lighting fixtures which direct light downward. Use energy efficient T-8 and T-5 bulbs, high efficiency electronic ballasts, and lighting controls. Consider using indirect ambient lighting with workstation based direct task lighting to improve light quality, reduce glare and improve overall energy performance in general office areas. Incorporate sensors and controls and design circuits so that lighting along perimeter zones and offices can be switched off independently from other interior lights when daylighting is sufficient in perimeter areas. Use Energy Star certified energy efficient appliances, office equipment, lighting and HVAC systems. Solar Solar technologies use the sun s energy to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for many different types of facilities. Solar power is probably the cleanest, most viable form of renewable energy available and it can be used in several forms to help power your facility. Many gardens use solar lights or solar garden water features. 2 A variety of technologies have been developed to harness solar energy. In Pennsylvania, these technologies include: Photovoltaic systems (produces electricity), solar hot water heating, and passive solar heating and daylighting. 6 Wind Wind is a clean, inexhaustible, indigenous energy resource that can generate electricity. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing forms of electricity generation in the world. 1, 3 Pennsylvania has good wind resources in portions of the state. Municipalities and non-profit organizations can use small wind turbines for on-site energy generation. 7 Geothermal Heat Pump The 10 feet of earth directly beneath the surface maintains a 93

96 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan nearly constant temperature between 50 and 60 F (10-16 C). Like a cave, this ground temperature is warmer than the air above it in the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. Pennsylvania has low to moderate temperature resources that can be tapped for direct heat or for geothermal heat pumps. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of this resource to heat and cool buildings. 1 Biomass and Biofuels Biomass and biofuels provide an excellent opportunity to heat and power buildings. Heating options may include the installation of a wood chip heating system, wood pellet furnace or boiler systems, corn furnace, or simply using a biodiesel blended heating oil commonly referred to as a bio-heat product. Biofuels can be used to power small-scale workshop machinery and electricity generators as well as vehicles. 1 Fuel Cells Fuel Cells are an option that local governments can consider when exploring alternative energy choices and distributed energy technologies. A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electricity with heat and water as the major by-products. There are several types of fuel cells and different fuels used for electricity generation. 1 Using Plants to Reduce Heating and Cooling Needs Plants can significantly reduce a building s energy needs; it s cooler in the shade of trees during the summer and warmer behind vegetation that block winter winds. The general rule is to plant deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in winter) on the south and west sides of a building where the sun s rays are most direct and intense. These trees will provide shade during summer but permit the winter sun to provide warmth. Where there isn t room for trees, shrubs and vines can provide similar benefits. Extensive use of trees to shade buildings, streets, driveways and other large paved surfaces can even cool entire communities. To reduce winter heating costs, plant evergreen trees and shrubs as windbreaks. Most cold winds come from the north or west (though this can vary locally), so on those sides of the building plant a dense row of evergreens that maintain branches low to the ground. Where new construction is planned consider greenroofing where roofs are specially designed to accommodate plants. Such roofs provide insulating value that further reduces heating and cooling needs and can be very long-lasting when properly maintained. 4, 5 References 1 Department of Environmental Protection. Alternative Energy. asp?a=1379&q= American Solar Energy Society. Go Solar: How to get started with solar energy. php?option=com_content&view=article&id=162&itemid=7 3 U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. State Energy Alternatives. Alternative Energy Resources in Pennsylvania. Alternative Resources i. pa.cfm Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Green Principles for Park Development and Sustainability Principle #5: Integrate Green Design and Construction The ideal green project preserves and restores habitat that is vital for sustaining life. The site and all structures on the site become net producers and exporters of resources, materials, energy and water rather than being net consumers. In other words, a green building is one whose construction and lifetime of operation assure the healthiest possible environment while representing the most efficient and least disruptive use of land, water, energy and resources. The optimum design solution is one that effectively emulates all of the natural systems and conditions of the pre-developed site after development is complete. 1 Green infrastructure means restoring floodplains to their naturally functioning system instead of building taller levees. It means planting trees, preserving open space and installing features like rain gardens, grass swales and green roofs, rather than enlarging sewers or building costly new treatment plants. It means retrofitting buildings and homes with waterefficient plumbing and rainwater capture systems instead of constructing an expensive water supply dam. Green Design can Save Money While many green materials and technologies do cost more, it has been demonstrated that many green strategies and technologies actually cost the same and some even cost less than traditional not-so-green technologies. Often the key to a cost effective green building and site design lies within the interrelationships and associated cost and performance trade-offs that exist between different building systems. For example, the use of high performance windows and window frames increases the initial building costs, however the resulting reduction in the size and cost of the buildings heating and cooling system more than offsets the added cost of the better glazing system. The result is a building that has a comparable or perhaps even a lower first cost, a higher comfort level, lower energy use, and lower energy bills and operating cost for the life of the building. 1 94

97 Appendix E: Applying Sustainability Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System : A voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction and operations. LEED is transforming the marketplace by providing a nationally recognized certification system to promote integrated, wholebuilding design practices in the building industry. 2 For a project to become LEED certified it is required that the project follows energy efficiency, environmentally conscious methods, as defined by the LEED Green Building Rating System, Version 3, 2009, in the following areas: Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency Energy & Atmospheric Materials & Resources Indoor Environmental Quality Innovation in Design Regional Priority By blending the right mix of green technologies that cost less with green technologies that cost the same or slightly more, it is possible to have a very green building project that costs the same as a conventional one. A Few Techniques to Consider: 3 Optimize building orientation, massing, shape, design, and interior colors and finishes. By maximizing the use of controlled natural day lighting artificial lighting energy use will be significantly reduced. Provide shades or daylight controls where needed. Use high performance low-e glazing. Consider insulated double glazing, triple glazing or double pane glazing with a suspended low-e film. Selective coatings offer optimal light transmittance while providing minimal solar gain and minimal heat transmission. Window frames, sashes and curtain wall systems should also be designed for optimum energy performance including the use of multiple thermal breaks to help reduce energy use. Avoid the use of HCFC and Halon based refrigeration, cooling and fire suppression systems. Optimize the use of natural ventilation and where practical use evaporative cooling, waste heat and/or solar regenerated desiccant dehumidification or absorption cooling. Identify and use sources of waste energy. Identify ways to use high-recycled content materials in the building structure and finishes. Consider everything from blended concrete using fly ash, slag, recycled concrete aggregate, or other admixtures to recycled content materials such as structural steel, ceiling and floor tiles, carpeting, carpet padding, sheathing, and gypsum wallboard. Consider remanufactured office furniture and office partition systems, chairs and furniture with recycled content or parts. Explore the use of bio-based materials and finishes such as various types of agriboard (sheathing and or insulation board made from agricultural waste and byproducts, including straw, wheat, barley, soy, sunflower shells, peanut shells, and other materials). Some structural insulated panels are now made from bio-based materials. Use lumber and wood products from certified forests where the forest is managed and lumber is harvested using sustainable practices. Use resource efficient engineered wood products in lieu of full dimension lumber which comes from older growth forests. Evaluate all products and systems used for their ability to be recycled when they reach the end of their useful life. Preference should be given to products and systems that facilitate easy, non-energy intensive separation and recycling with minimal contamination by foreign debris. Recognize that transportation becomes part of a product or building materials embodied energy. Where practical, specify and use locally harvested, mined and manufactured materials and products to support the regional economy and to reduce transportation, energy use and emissions. Develop a strict waste-management practice to divert construction wastes from reaching the landfill. Use materials and resources found on the site in the site design and construction. Vegetative Green Roofs A green roof, or rooftop garden, is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop. Green roofs have a layer of living plants on top of the structure and the waterproofing elements. Why are vegetative green roofs such a good idea? 4 They reduce roof stormwater runoff. In some cases this can help reduce the size of stormwater pipes, and the amount of stormwater that needs to be treated by municipal water treatment. They also filter pollutants from rainfall. Green roofs also protect the roof membrane from sunlight, which breaks down the roofing material. Having even a couple inches of soil helps to greatly extend the life of the roof, and a longer lifespan means les material ends up in landfills from reproofing buildings after the membranes have failed. They reduce energy use: Green roofs absorb heat and act as insulators for buildings, reducing energy needed to provide cooling and heating. A green roof is also a source of oxygen and provides a habitat for some birds and insects. 95

98 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan They reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions: by lowering air conditioning demand, green roofs can decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Vegetation can also remove air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions through dry deposition and carbon sequestration and storage. References 1 Governor s Green Government Council. Green Buildings. asp?a=515&q= United States Green Building Council- LEED. usgbc.org/displaypage.aspx?categoryid=19 3 Governor s Green Government Council. What is a Green Building? documents/whatis pdf 4 EcoGeek.ORG. Green Roofs: An Introduction with Pretty Pictures. Additional Resources Governor s Green Government Council. Guidelines for Creating High Performance Green Buildings. pa.us/gggc/cwp/view.asp?a=515&q= United States Green Building Council. Department of Environmental Protection. Pennsylvania s Recycling Page. airwaste/wm/recycle/recycle.htm Green Center of Central Pennsylvania. greencentralpa.com/ 2009 LEED New Construction and Major Renovations. Chicago Center for Green Technology. 96

99 Appendix F: Topographic Survey Topographic Survey Base mapping was provided by Franson Engineering and Surveying for Halfmoon Township Park dated April 17, 2009 and Autumn Meadow Park dated December Supplemental information was collected during site visits and from aerial mapping databases.

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102 Pasture wooded 3/4" Rebar (found) William C. and Bonnie Lynn Sigel N 48 53' 00" W ' BUB Buchanan Channery Loam soils boundary AnB Andover channery silt loam William C. and Bonnie Lynn Sigel S 43 20" 00" W S 41 38' 30" W ' William C. and Bonnie Lynn Sigel Electrified fence follows southern property line 3/4" Rebar (found) E Scoreboard 4' chain link fence BUB Buchanan Channery Loam soil boundary AnB Andover channery silt loam Wooded area Batting cage 200' Black Walnut Pine Maple Locust Ash Tree inventory Bleachers E Gate Dugout DCNR Project Sign soil boundary Septic Tank Cover Planter Limit of Work Halfmoon Township Municipal Building UE ' chain link fence Dugout Bleachers UE Mailbox Existing Paved Walkway W Basketball court E Garbage can UE Concrete Walk 15" dia. HDPEP Curb Box E W W water valve 10' Chain link fence Swingset Bench Concession stand Gravel parking lot Volleyball net Spring riders Limit of Work BUB Buchanan Channery Loam soils boundary soils boundary W Bench Sandbox Merry-go-round Slide Swingset with ADA Seats AnB Andover channery silt loam Ring climber E E E Existing spiral slide to be removed and replaced with Playworld Challenger Model Rumble Seat Slide with a 17' x 30' fall zone protection E Limit of Work Teeter totter Limit of Work Water fountain Bench 15" dia. HDPEP Spider Bench Shed E Pavilion Grill Wooded area Garbage Can Dugout Limit of Work Bleachers Limit of Work Limit of Work Dugout 15" dia. HDPEP E Gate Bleachers 257' +/- 4' chain link fence Legend E Curb box and blowoff E UE W Ice rink (gravel) ' chain link fence Gravel underdrain Property line Split rail fence Swale Overhead electric Underground electric Waterline Edge of road Wood carpet fallzone existing Wood Carpet fallzone proposed Spot path elevation 5' ADA path 284' +/ /4" Rebar (found) Wooded area E E Scoreboard N 41 38' 30" E 300' 3/4" Rebar (found) William C. and Bonnie Lynn Sigel wooded Deed North wooded Wooded area N 48 53' 00" W ' Michael T. Barr N 49 27' 20" E ' PK Nail (found) General Notes S 48 43' 20" E ' Title to Township Park became vested in Halfmoon Township by Deed Book 281 page 285 and Misc. Book 133 page 408. Gross area is 9.63 Acres. Title appears to be fee simple. Area of disturbance is less than 1 acre. Property Information obtained from field survey conducted in September and October Monumentation located in the field is noted as "found". This plan does not represent a detailed property survey and should not be substituted for such. Boundary information for Tax Parcel A taken from drawing prepared by Henry Surveys dated January 31, 1989 entitled "Property Survey, Original Topography Township of Halfmoon", drawing # Municipal lane (bituminous) 33' right of way General Notes cont. No known right of ways or easements are located within the park. Slanted text delineates existing items. The grade of the path does not exceed 6%. There are no floodplains within the park. Per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory mapping, there are no wetlands located within the park property. W Scale 1" = 30' 30 Municipal lane (gravel) 33' right of way W S 47 59' 00" E ' Halfmoon Township Park ADA Accessibility and Safety Improvements Project Halfmoon Township Centre County FRANSON ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING 304 FOREST AVENUE BELLEFONTE, PA PHONE (814) FAX (814) April 17, 2009 Sheet 1 of 2

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104 Appendix G: Community Wide Park Survey

105 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plan Public Participation Online Commenting Report TIn 2014, Half Moon Township provided the citizens with an opportunity to comment on parks and recreation online. As a result, 131 citizens provided comments. This is a solid number far exceeding the typical attendance at a public meeting. Below are the findings from the online questionnaire. 1. Top Five Visitor Experiences in Township Parks That Citizens Are Seeking Walking (63%) Socializing with family and friends (60%) Enjoying nature (52%) Fitness and wellness (49%) Special events (46%) 2. What Prevents Citizens from Using Township Parks Parks don t have facilities that interest them (47%) No programs or activities are offered (30%) Use parks elsewhere (22%) 3. Most Important Facilities and Programs to the Citizens Comfort facilities including restrooms & drinking fountains (94%) Walking paths (91%) Playgrounds traditional (89%) Picnic areas (89%) Nature play areas (86%) 4. One Thing to Improve the Parks Themes Restroom improvements Walking paths Beautification Playground equipment Parking improvements 100

106 Halfmoon Township Parks Master Plans For Halfmoon Township Park and Autumn Meadow Park Prepared By: In Association With: