The first day of summer may be next week, but local officials already are thinking of winter.
By: Mark Moffa
ALLENTOWN The first day of summer may be next week, but local officials already are thinking of winter.
The borough recently ordered supplies needed to convert the Steven Reid Sports Court on Lakeview Drive into an ice skating rink this winter.
Plans also are under way to enhance Heritage Park, located behind the Old Mill off Main Street.
Joan West, chairperson of the borough’s Recreation Committee, said that although the committee still would like to see an ice skating facility in Heritage Park, turning the sports court into an ice skating rink will serve borough residents well.
"We’re going to build up the sides of the current tennis court that’s there," she said. "We’ll see from this how much it really gets used. This is nice too, because we already have the lights."
Ms. West said the children she has spoken with are excited about the prospect of ice skating in Allentown.
"They’re really enthusiastic about having the court in the winter so they can play their hockey and what not," she said.
Ms. West said the committee took a walking tour of the borough in the spring and came up with the idea of using the court as an ice skating rink.
Growing up in Allentown, Ms. West said, she used to skate on the Mill Pond. Now, she added, the pond may be too deep and dangerous. Plus, she said, today’s litigious climate makes allowing skating on the pond too risky.
"We don’t have those cold, cold winters like we used to, so I don’t think it really freezes completely," said Ms. West, who is planning the borough’s annual July 4 fishing contest at the Mill Pond.
The contest, which is from 9 a.m. to noon, features many prizes for children, including rewards for catching the largest and smallest fish.
Mayor Stu Fierstein said the family of Steven Reid was given the courtesy of approving the new use for the sports court. The facility is named for Mr. Reid, who died three years ago from cancer at the age of 21.
In addition to the plans for the sports court, Mayor Fierstein said 5 acres of grass recently was planted in a leveled area at Heritage Park. The area, Ms. West said, provides borough residents with an ideal area for picnicking.
The borough has a separate ad hoc committee for Heritage Park. The group is working on several ideas, the mayor said.
Allentown is waiting for permits to be approved for new entrance ways into the park, and for a fence and perimeter trail, he said. Plus, a wetlands delineation and surveying are being conducted.
Mayor Fierstein also said Ross Sortore’s Eagle Scout project to add picnic tables and benches in Heritage Park should be completed between July and September.