Resident urges caution on parks survey; committee pushes near‑term upgrades at 4 Brooks Park

Kim Rosamilla, a Tinicum Township resident, told the Board of Supervisors on July 7 that the recent parks and recreation SurveyMonkey results should be treated cautiously because the questionnaire did not verify whether respondents lived in Tinicum and could be completed multiple times or by nonresidents. “The survey’s validity is suspect because of the opportunity for multiple responses from individuals and family members and those who do not reside in Tinicombe Township,” she said.

The concern came as Robin Lochner, a Tinicum resident and member of the Parks & Recreation Committee, presented the committee’s analysis of 320 responses (201 online, 119 on paper) and its recommendations. “Eighty‑one percent of the survey respondents indicated that they use some park facilities,” Lochner said, and 91% rated park events as important. The committee recommended near‑term focus on low‑maintenance improvements at 4 Brooks Park — resurfacing courts, adding benches and extending fencing — and researching grants to cover larger projects.

Township Manager Judith Danko and board members urged the committee to prepare a written plan and cost estimates before grant applications or budget requests. Chair noted the value of outreach even if the survey has limitations: “I think 320 responses to a survey is great even if…there are a few dozen repeat responses,” the Chair said, adding that the committee’s presence at precincts raised public awareness of township parks.

Specific asks discussed included mowing a roughly 15‑square‑yard area around a donated tree used for the annual tree‑lighting ceremony so a plaque and benches could be visible, and converting an underused lawn area at 4 Brooks Park into a meadow to reduce mowing costs and support habitat. The board asked staff and volunteers to assess nesting and habitat timing before any mowing and said the parks committee should supply cost estimates and a plan by the end of September so the items can be considered during fall budget sessions.

Lochner said the committee will research grant opportunities and return in August with what it believes is feasible. Manager Danko emphasized that some grant programs require a formal plan and that the township’s grant administrator will advise on portal submissions and matching‑fund expectations. The board and manager also noted donation and volunteer opportunities for targeted items such as benches or pavilion repairs.

The board did not take an immediate funding vote on the recommendations; it asked the Parks & Recreation Committee to submit a plan and quotes by the end of September for consideration in the 2027 budget process. The committee intends to pursue grant research and report back in August.