Allentown committee reviews draft parks master plan, schedules council adoption

The Parks and Recreation Committee met to review the draft Allentown Comprehensive Recreation and Park Plan, hear consultant findings and public-engagement results, and discuss funding and next steps. Consultant William Collins of Simone Collins Landscape Architecture summarized the report structure, inventories and park-specific master plans and said the package includes cost estimates based on 2025 prices.

Collins told the committee the report is organized into six chapters including an executive summary, infrastructure assessment, programs, management and an appendix that contains records of public participation. "There were committee meetings, five public meetings, an online survey venue," Collins said, describing the project’s outreach. He said the team assembled a parks inventory and a "toolbox" of potential interventions that staff can apply across parks.

The consultant presented four concept-level master plans — Bucky Boyle, Roosevelt Park, Fountain Park and McCose Plaza — intended to move the sites from concept to funding-ready plans. Collins said the master plans are conceptual documents, not construction drawings, and are meant to support funding applications to agencies including DCNR and other partners.

Committee members pressed staff on funding and priorities. One member asked whether the parks in the report were part of a forthcoming general-obligation bond; a committee member estimated the GO bond would cover "about $18,000,000 roughly." Staff responded that Fountain Park and Franklin Park are included in the GO bond request, Bucky Boyle is not expected to be funded through the bond and may rely on a public‑private partnership, and Roosevelt is receiving smaller, targeted improvements rather than a full overhaul.

Members also asked about sustainability and potential solar canopies over parking lots. City staff said sustainability coordinator Veronica Vostenak has researched solar opportunities and barriers; the report did not evaluate every site for solar orientation but noted the city has capacity to pursue solar when financially appropriate.

Design details for Fountain Park drew extended discussion. Staff said the concept includes a boardwalk to improve safe creek‑edge access without encouraging swimming, and that community input has debated a pool, a cooling/mist feature and an indoor facility. "An indoor facility would be year‑round," staff said, adding that operating a pool is expensive and seasonal; designers expect to use public input and a phased approach to align features with the available budget.

The plan also references the Safe Streets for All effort and coordination with Public Works on crosswalks and ADA access near parks. Consultant Collins noted the city has made progress installing curb ramps and crosswalks near park entrances and that the master plans explicitly acknowledge accessibility beyond park boundaries.

The chair opened public comment and recorded none. Committee members thanked staff for outreach and participation; staff thanked council members for attending. The chair reminded the public that the plan is posted on the Allentown City website as the "Allentown Comprehensive Recreation And Park Plan" and noted the plan is scheduled for adoption at the full council meeting on February 4. The committee adjourned without taking a vote on other items.