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Supervisors press for stakeholder plan and project manager as parks committee prioritizes Hess bathroom, Millbrook Marsh boardwalk
Summary
Parks capital committee recommended prioritizing funding for Hess fields restroom and the Millbrook Marsh boardwalk, discussed phased funding (municipal/private/grant split) and noted Penn State may no longer be a funding partner; supervisors urged convening stakeholders and appointing a project manager before committing municipal funds.
At the April 15 Ferguson Township Board meeting, the parks capital committee outlined priorities for capital investment and urged a coordinated approach for large projects, notably repairs to the Millbrook Marsh boardwalk.
The committee recommended prioritizing funding for Hess fields restroom facilities ahead of the Millbrook Marsh boardwalk on the basis of anticipated regional economic benefit from tournaments. Committee members said projects will need to be phased because of significant cost estimates; a funding strategy floated in committee would split costs roughly one-third municipal, one-third private and one-third grant funding. The committee also plans to test a rental restroom trailer at an early-season tournament to evaluate options.
Multiple supervisors pressed for a broader stakeholder convening to clarify roles, noting Penn State’s reported withdrawal from discussions would materially change funding and partnership options. One supervisor urged appointing a single project manager to identify stakeholders, lead coordination and produce a deliverable funding plan. The parks capital representative said the projects have ballpark cost estimates (the boardwalk was discussed in the range of roughly $6 million to $10 million), and that further CIP planning and potential public–private partnerships will be needed before any municipal contribution is finalized.
