Emmaus council approves application for DCNR rehabilitation grant for Burl Line Park

The Borough of Emmaus Council voted unanimously to authorize an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for a Park Rehabilitation and Development Grant to fund phased improvements at Burl Line Park.

Council member Anders introduced Resolution 20-26-10, saying the parks and recreation committee had narrowed the project’s first phase to address parking, the baseball field and the playground. “It is resolution 20 26 dash 10, a resolution of the Council of the Borough of Emmaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania approving the application of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Park Rehabilitation and Development Grant,” Anders said. He asked colleagues to move forward with the application so the borough could pursue state funding for the prioritized repairs.

Shane, the borough manager, told the council the grant application would be for Burl Line Park and described the project as large enough that it will have to be phased. “Parking is a major issue in the neighborhood. The baseball field needs some work, and the playground needs some work, and then we’ll go from there,” Shane said. He added the borough is waiting for an updated engineer cost estimate; the previous study is roughly four years old.

Council members noted the grant requires a 50/50 local match; Anders and Shane confirmed the match figure during discussion. The council voted to adopt the resolution by voice; the motion passed 6-0.

Discussion also referenced work at the Lions Playground, where the council was told a former bathroom building will need to be rebuilt from the ground up rather than rehabilitated. The parks committee said it would prioritize initial phases and refine the grant application after receiving the updated cost estimate.

The resolution authorizes staff to submit the DCNR Park Rehabilitation and Development Grant application for Burl Line Park and to proceed with the next steps in project planning. The council did not set a construction schedule during the meeting; members said updated cost figures from the borough engineer are required before a funding timeline can be finalized.