Lock Haven council approves Sentimental Journey fly‑in and allows Dirty Dappers race with strict conditions

Lock Haven’s City Council on Feb. 21 approved two annual event requests, voting to authorize the Sentimental Journey fly‑in at the municipal airport and to allow the Dirty Dappers dual‑sports race to use city watershed and park areas under specific conditions.

The council approved the Sentimental Journey fly‑in request as presented by a public commenter; the event includes the fly‑in scheduled for May and pancake breakfast fundraisers in May and September. Council members voted in favor during the public‑comment agenda call.

The larger debate centered on a separate application from the Dirty Dappers series to use the Keller Reservoir/Zendal Park watershed. Director of public works (speaking during the presentation) told council that the Nature Conservancy had submitted correspondence warning that last year’s race “didn’t restore it to the previous state” and that continued damage could jeopardize the forest’s certification and associated carbon‑credit revenues. He recommended denial, citing city code restrictions on motorized vehicles in certain park areas.

A council member moved to deny the Dirty Dappers request, citing photographic documentation of erosion and what that member described as inadequate repairs after last year’s event. That motion failed on a roll‑call vote. Council then approved a second motion to grant the permit with explicit conditions: monitored and enforceable agreement language, better signage and trail blazes, pre‑event communications, and a clear penalty (loss of future permission) for repeat violations. During debate, councilors emphasized the need for a defined inspection and sign‑off process to confirm repairs are acceptable.

The council’s compromise leaves the event permissible this year but requires stronger oversight by city staff and the city authority to reduce environmental risk. Staff agreed to clarify who will inspect and certify post‑event repairs and to report back to council about enforcement procedures.

Next steps: staff will draft the specific permit conditions and inspection responsibility, and the city will communicate the requirements to the event organizer before issuance.