POTTSTOWN >> Residents got a chance to have their say Monday night about how Pollock Park can be improved and upgraded.
Thanks to a grant made available through the Pottstown regional planning group – and funded by the Greater Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – money has been made available to make improvements to the two-acre park, wedged in between South and Cross streets.
The landscape architecture firm of Simone Collins, which has helped with many projects in the borough ranging from Memorial Park’s rehab to the Mrs. Smith’s redevelopment project, is handling the planning and kicked off the meeting with a presentation.
About 25 residents and officials were in the new meeting room at the Pottstown Regional Public Library and offered a variety of perspectives about the park and its best use.
According to the U.S. Census, the tract served by this park services just under 1,300 households with a population of about 3,700 people.
The largest slice of that population – 28 percent – are between ages 5 and 17, while another 25 percent is between 25 and 44 years old.
Several residents said they would like to see it be safer, but were opposed to putting lights in to light the park at night.
There was discussion of how to maximize use of the soccer field there, whether the basketball courts are in the right location and whether water fountains and benches should be added.
Some suggested that a public art project, or mural could be part of the plan while another suggestion was to partner with with Mosaic Community Land Trust and establishing a community vegetable garden at the park.
Several noted that while the grant may pay for improvements, the borough will have to pay for maintenance.
“True. We want something as low-maintenance as possible, but there’s no such thing as no maintenance,” Simone said.
Several residents pointed out they already cut some of the grass and often shovel snow from the park entrance and Simone noted that in some projects with which his firm has been involved, residents form a non-profit “friends of” a park and raise money for maintenance and events.
Michael Lenhart, the director of the borough’s parks and recreation department, said a overall parks maintenance master plan is being framed but urged the residents to continue to undertake basic maintenance.
“I want to thank you for your stewardship of this park,” he said.
Simone said he will return for the next meeting, 7 p.m. on March 21 at the library, with a draft plan to get further input from those interested.
People with questions or input about the Pollock Park Master Plan should contact Simone via email at psimone@simonecollins.com or by phone at 610-239-7601.
