Board member urges supervisors to fund winter clearing after on-site fall; others caution resource limits

During discussion of parks operations, a board member described slipping and falling near the east-side park entrance and urged the board to consider seeking funds from the Board of Supervisors to clear at least one parking area and a walking loop for winter use.

“I felt I could hardly walk for three weeks. I took two steps away from my car and fell, and I was right at the east side where the entrance to the park is,” the committee member said, urging the board to ask supervisors to allocate funds for targeted clearing rather than relying solely on private efforts.

Another committee member cautioned township resources are limited and suggested that clearing could be timed for the spring, summer and fall when it reaches more users; they also noted alternatives such as trails on the Greenfield site and school district trails that users can access when conditions are poor. The board discussed targeting a single parking area for clearing rather than all parks to control costs and logistical burden.

Members agreed to improve communication with the public about park maintenance, including clearer newsletter notices that parks may be unmaintained in winter and signage advising visitors to “go at your own risk.” The board also proposed running a survey to gauge public interest in winter clearing before making a formal request to the Board of Supervisors.

No formal motion to request funding was made at the meeting; the discussion concluded with direction for staff to consider communication steps and to return any funding- or scope-related proposals to a future meeting for decision.