Upper Allen parks director reports horticulturist hire, ongoing projects and Grantham Park construction plans

Parks Director Chad Krebs told the board the parks department will reach full seasonal staffing when a horticulturalist begins on Monday and summer seasonal employees are already working on playground and maintenance projects. He cited completed certification work by staff and an award submission for volunteer Jeff Williams.

Krebs outlined multiple near‑term capital items: finishing Trout Run spring/swing set replacement, replacing seven water fountains across township parks (complex work because lines are buried), and a planned preconstruction meeting in mid‑July for Grantham Park’s second phase. He said the Board of Commissioners approved a contractor (Regel) for Grantham’s phase two; contracts await township signature and a July 20 potential notice to proceed that could start a 120‑day contract window. Because the work includes trails, stormwater and parking improvements, staff recommended temporarily closing the park for some or all of construction to avoid open trenches near the playground and because parking will be disrupted.

Board members discussed ecological maintenance (native plantings and invasive removal) and noted the horticulturalist role should support meadow and streambank areas. Chad described plans to replace the existing bridge at Spring Run with a ford crossing as part of a paving contract and to review options for a trail connection with potential partners (Messiah Lifeways).

The board agreed staff will report back at the July meeting with more precise construction timelines, contractor input on staging and fencing, and an updated budget projection for Grantham Park work. Staff also said they will explore volunteer and partnership opportunities for monitoring fish habitat surveys and post‑construction ecological maintenance.

Next steps: staff to confirm contract signatures, hold the preconstruction meeting mid‑July, and bring a detailed schedule and any park closure plan to the July board meeting.