(A) The vast majority of needed recreation programs can probably best be carried out by providing adequate land and facilities at cost or for free for nonprofit recreational and leisure groups, leagues and clubs.
(B) It is important that recreation programs serve persons of all age groups one needs.
(C) Certain additional programs should be considered by the Borough Council or other groups as the borough’s population and facilities expand, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) Summer playground program. Programs geared towards ages 5 to 15, arts and crafts, games, picnics and the like;
(2) Nature education program. Programs geared towards all ages, but especially young teenagers, should be in place to make people more aware of nature. This should include interpretative walks, self-guided walks, displays and trips. Portions of this program might best be conducted along borough bike/walking trails and waterways and other natural areas. The Bushkill Stream Conservancy, and other area organizations that provide local nature education programs should be contacted to seek their participation;
(4) Outdoor volleyball teams. This should emphasize play by participants of all ages. The program preferably should be separated into teams at two or three different skills levels;
(5) Aerobics and fitness classes. These could be designed to be self-supporting, with the borough’s role mainly to provide adequate space, choosing qualified instructors, and helping with publicity. The instructors could be in charge of administering the program;
(6) Races. An annual race for runners and joggers along rural roads in the borough and/or the borough bike/walking trail. One race could be intended to be longer and more competitive, while another could be shorter and intended for a wider variety of persons, especially senior citizens and children. A non-competitive bicycling event should also be considered. These could be in conjunction with surrounding municipalities now that trails are connected;
(7) Senior programs. In cooperation with the area senior citizen organizations, the borough should conduct programs aimed directly towards the interests of senior citizens. This could include arts and crafts, senior fitness classes, horticulture classes and the like;
(8) Special interests. Hobbies, clubs, collector groups, chess, games, gardening, foreign languages and ethnic/healthy cooking;
(9) Possible community center activities. Social activities and events:
(a) Card club;
(b) Youth theater;
(c) Youth dances;
(d) Adult dances;
(e) Square dancing;
(f) Provide off-site meeting location for area businesses;
(g) Hobby seminars;
(h) Special interests: hobbies; clubs; collector groups; chess; games; gardening; foreign languages; and cooking;
(i) Space for organizations to conduct meetings;
(j) Organized after-school programs for youth;
(k) Space for birthday parties, showers, family gatherings;
(l) Arts and crafts;
(m) Fitness programs geared toward individuals, teams and families;
(n) Public interest seminars such as travel seminars, job fairs, financial planning, higher education, electronics/computer such as organizing documents and password and the like;
(o) Clinics/camps for various sports;
(p) Basketball, volleyball and the like;
(q) Civic events such as tree lighting, Memorial Day service, fundraisers, food, clothing and blood drives;
(r) Emergency/disaster location if necessary which will reduce the impact to the public school system should a disaster occur;
(s) Aerobics classes scheduled to the level and convenience of various age groups;
(t) Basketball and volleyball leagues and instructional classes for beginners;
(u) Public speaker forums; and
(v) Activities to be coordinated by a professional staff.
(10) Health related programs.
(a) Health education classes in conjunction with area hospitals presented by physicians or qualified healthcare professionals such as Llantrisant Retreat and Wellness Center, such as reducing stress, healthy eating and the like;
(b) Conduct prepared childbirth classes; and
(c) Community health fairs with participation of local healthcare providers.
(D) It will be important to regularly monitor trends in program participation and citizen requests to respond to the desires and needs of residents.
(E) The following concepts should be kept in mind during design of all the programs.
(1) Avoid duplication. The borough should emphasize providing types of recreation programs that are not currently being provided, and coordinating existing efforts by local groups. The borough responsibility might include types of recreation programs, such as aerobics and fitness classes, that local groups are less likely to undertake.
(2) Self-supporting. It is desirable to seek to have adult programs be self-supporting, after the initial start-up costs. Children’s programs should pay for actual expenses for materials and supplies.
(3) Fees and demand. One method of handling periods of peak demand for facilities is to charge fees or charge higher fees only during these periods of the day, week and year when there is the most demand. This will encourage groups to schedule their activities during off-peak hours when the facility might normally be unused.
(Ord. passed 8-3-2015)