Manor Township supervisors have landed a grant that will refurbish the basketball court at Fort Run Park. However, boat launches at the Park and at Rosston will have to wait until at least 2021 to see improvements.
Manor Township supervisors announced they are getting a grant for the basketball court at Fort Run Park but that another grant for improving riverbanks for boating access will have to wait.
Chairman Don Palmer said that supervisors applied for a grant in March 2019 from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to refurbish the Fort Run Park basketball court and provide handicap parking.
“The current surface is sunk and cracked,” Palmer explained last week. “We plan to remove the old surface, add drainage if possible, and put new fencing around the court. Handicapped parking will be installed in the vicinity of the court.”
Palmer said the work is expected to cost approximately $60,000. The first $40,000 will come directly from the DCNR grant. He said the Township will provide matching funds of $20,000, which will include $10,000 in cash that was included in the 2020 budget and another $10,000 through in-kind contributions such as volunteer help. He believes the work will be done next summer.
Meanwhile, supervisors decided not to pursue another grant through the Fish and Boat Commission that would have given them money for improving the riverbanks for boating access at both Fort Run Park and at Rosston.
“We were interested in Rosston boat launch and Fort Run Park for increased access to the river,” Palmer said. However, he said the grant requires engineering, drawings, a public comment period, and other stipulations that would have to occur before the application deadline of December 31.
“There just isn’t enough time to get it done before application deadline,” Palmer said. “I spoke to a representative from Fish and Boat Commission. They said money is allocated in 2020 and we could do it again. He will come down and help us put it together for next year’s application.”
A new lighting package will be included in the grant for the Rosston boat launch area. Palmer did not stipulate what improvements would be made at Fort Run Park.
“We were hoping to at least get one,” he said.