It's been over four years since the Parryville playground was rededicated to Carbon County Hall of Famer Carl Wolter II. Wolter grew up in the borough and won titles in Lehighton and Penn State for javelin and was an All-American in track and field. He later moved on to master golf when he grabbed the world championship title at the ReMax World Long Driving Championship in Nevada in 2011.

In the years since the ceremony, few improvements have been made to the playground.During its monthly borough meeting, Wolter's parents, Kathy and Carl Wolter, presented the board with $2,000 raised by Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club with the stipulation of being able to view the financial records for the playground."We need to see the money in the bank in the playground fund," Carl Wolter said."All the money donated for the playground, shouldn't it be in its own account?" he asked.According to borough secretary Dana Brubaker, there has never been a separate checking account for the playground, only a savings account."As a former president of the council I know we saved money for the playground, but the next board just went and spent it only to put the fence up. We'd like to see Parryville take a more active role and add the additions to it. We have concerns," he said.The couple said the Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions have donated more than $6,000 after the annual golf tournament this summer."We should see that listed," Carl Wolter said of the accounts."Also, I didn't see anything budgeted for equipment. It's been years since the dedication and now funds are up to $23,000-$24,000. When it's from people outside the borough, I would think the borough would take more of an active role," Kathy Wolter said."We spent money from the general fund for an engineer's report," borough President Kathy Hawk said."I want them to understand that we are spending money for the playground."The president said roughly $2,000 from the general fund was spent on an engineer to evaluate the area.Brubaker said she would work on opening a separate account Tuesday, saying it would only take about a day's worth of work."After the transfer over to the new account we can send them the papers," Councilwoman Sharon Hinkle said."We are not pointing fingers," Carl Wolter said."But when people are giving thousands of dollars, it should be accounted for," he said."It's $8,000 that Bowmanstown Gun Club has given toward the playground. They approached me this year and said they wanted to give money to the playground," Kathy Wolter said.Hawk said the board has applied for three grants and has been turned down each time."We've gone through the engineer and we get rejection letters," she said.Hinkle said the cost of the new equipment is close to $60,000."Well, what about (Doyle) Heffley, he's our representative, isn't he? He was there at the dedication, what does he have to say about getting grants?" Carl Wolter asked.The board agreed to try to contact his office for assistance. After thanking the couple and the gun club, Hawk said she would like to see a community committee formed for the playground improvements."We'd like to get three to five people from the community who have a real interest in seeing this happen. I can help out but I don't want to be in charge," she said.Anyone interested can contact the borough hall by stopping by the Centre Street address or email

parryvilleboro@gmail.com.