Pathways to Prosperity (PDF)
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“This project was financed in part by a grant from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.” Muhlenberg Township Department of Parks and Recreation Vision Statement The people of Muhlenberg Township live and recreate in a community T that celebrates its natural resources, the Schuylkill River and active, N healthy lifestyles. Close-to-home parks are complemented by large E community parks with preserved natural areas, river access, and M E recreation facilities for individuals and community groups to use T throughout their lifetime. A system of greenways and trails connects A T people to parks, neighborhoods, schools, business and community S destinations both within the Township as well as with adjoining munic- N ipalities for regional connections. The Township has a wide range of O recreation opportunities that enable people to lead fulfilling lives with I S strong family ties and a sense of community. The entire system is I developed and maintained through cooperative efforts among partners V that include municipal, business, educational, social, cultural, and environmental interests. Together they have achieved a balanced sys- tem that offers a quality of life distinct to Muhlenberg and contributes to a vibrant thriving community. Muhlenberg Township Department of Parks and Recreation 5401 Leesport Avenue Temple, PA 19560 (610) 929-1503 www.muhlenbergtwp.com Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan: Pathways to Prosperity 2006 Prepared by: Toole Recreation Planning 6081 Honey Hollow Road Doylestown, PA 18901 (215) 794-8939 [email protected] YSM 19 South Newberry Street York, PA 17404 (717) 812-9959 [email protected] Board of Commissioners Natale DeLuca, President Roger F. Voit, Vice President Anthony F. Horning, Secretary Randy R. Madeira Jim Murray Plan Study Committee S Darlene Becker T Jolyn Casper N Paul Davis E Rick Frank M Harold George E Fred Hatt G Mike Hughes D Carol Hunsberger E Janelle Leib L Rita Lesher Bob McWilliams W Gary Noecker O Frank Sabatucci N Lynn Scheirer K Ken Short C A Township Administration Randall Boone, Township Manager/Finance Officer Steven C. Landes, CPRP, Director of Community Services Department of Parks and Recreation Steven C. Landes, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation Karen Regenfuse, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor Table of Contents Plan Summary Plan Vision ..............................................................................................Page i Creating the Plan ....................................................................................Page ii Process ..............................................................................................Page ii Public Involvement ..............................................................................Page ii Findings ............................................................................................Page ii Overview of Parks and Recreation in Muhlenberg ........................................Page iii The Plan ................................................................................................Page iii Goals ....................................................................................................Page iii Recommendations ..............................................................................Page iv Funding the Plan ................................................................................Page v Implementation Schedule ....................................................................Page v Chapter 1: Plan Overview Plan Overview..........................................................................................Page 2 Planning Process ......................................................................................Page 3 Public Participation ..............................................................................Page 3 Planning Goals ....................................................................................Page 4 Related Plans......................................................................................Page 4 Frequently Asked Questions..................................................................Page 6 Is the plan law? ................................................................................Page 6 What will the plan do? ........................................................................Page 6 How will the plan be used? ..................................................................Page 6 Why is the 1993 plan being updated? ..................................................Page 7 How will the plan be implemented? ......................................................Page 7 Why is it important to have a quality park and recreation system? ................Page 8 Pathways to Prosperity: Building upon Success ......................................Page 9 Chapter 2: Muhlenberg Township Profile Facts and Figures ..................................................................................Page 10 Background and Location ..................................................................Page 10 Government......................................................................................Page 11 Population Statistics ..........................................................................Page 12 Households and Housing ....................................................................Page 13 Socio-economic Characteristics............................................................Page 13 Community Trends ................................................................................Page 14 Population ........................................................................................Page 14 Age ................................................................................................Page 14 Graying of Muhlenberg ......................................................................Page 15 Family Structure................................................................................Page 17 Income ............................................................................................Page 18 Educationœ ......................................................................................Page 18 Race ................................................................................................Page 19 Housing ..........................................................................................Page 19 Assessment by Census Tract ..............................................................Page 20 Public Opinion ........................................................................................Page 20 Focus Groups and Work Sessions ........................................................Page 21 Surveys ..........................................................................................Page 21 Public Meetings ................................................................................Page 21 Findings of the Public Participation Process ..........................................Page 22 Analysis of the Community Characteristics ................................................Page 23 Conclusions and Recommendations ..........................................................Page 24 Tables Table 1. State, County, and Township Population 1980-2000 ......................Page 14 Table 2. Muhlenberg Percent of Population by Age Group ............................Page 15 Table 3: Detailed Population Groups by Age Group ....................................Page 15 Table 4. Comparison by population Age Group 1970-2000 ..........................Page 16 Table 5. Muhlenberg 2000 Population Group Raw Numbers..........................Page 18 Table 6. Median Per Capita Income 1999 ..................................................Page 18 Table 7. Educational Attainment ..............................................................Page 18 Table 8. Racial Composition ....................................................................Page 19 Table 9. Housing Information ..................................................................Page 19 Figures Figure 1. Muhlenberg Township Organizational Structure ............................Page 12 Figure 2. Generations and Implications ....................................................Page 16 Chapter 3: Parks and Recreation Facilities Muhlenberg Township Park and Recreation Facility Assessment ....................Page 26 Amount of Parkland ..........................................................................Page 27 Configuration of Parks ......................................................................Page 30 Location of Parks ..............................................................................Page 32 Connection between Parks ................................................................Page 34 Recreation Facilities ..........................................................................Page 37 Conditions........................................................................................Page 41 Cherokee Ranch Playground ..........................................................Page 41 Hyde Park Playground ..................................................................Page 42 South Temple Park ......................................................................Page 43 Temple Playground ......................................................................Page 43 Stoudt’s Ferry Playground ............................................................Page