ALLENTOWN – Members of the Allentown Borough Council have voted to create a Parks and Public Spaces Advisory Committee. Municipal officials took the action during a meeting on Dec. 10.
According to the ordinance which created the advisory committee, the panel’s purpose will be to study and advise the council about issues affecting the development and maintenance of the borough’s parks and public spaces, as well as the acquisition of future parks and public spaces in and near Allentown.
The committee will consist of seven members, all of whom will be residents of the borough. Each year, the members of the committee will select a chair, vice chair and secretary.
The Parks and Public Spaces Advisory Committee will have the following powers and duties:
• To make, adopt and recommend to the governing body a strategic plan for the borough’s parklands and other public spaces, which shall guide and provide consistency of design and vision throughout Allentown’s parklands and other public spaces for the betterment of residents and visitors;
• To work with the Department of Public Works and other entities to ensure the successful implementation of the strategic plan and to ensure all necessary maintenance is performed;
• Communicate with relevant committees and commissions, and the community at large, about the strategic plan and any ongoing work;
• Act as a single source for information about the borough’s parklands and other public spaces and receive comments and requests from the community, passing them on to the appropriate borough officials for action, if required;
• Apply for grants, as appropriate, to help with implementation of the strategic plan;
• Maintain a schedule of events and assist event organizers with scheduling as it
relates to the borough’s parklands and other public spaces.