A new parking ordinance making its way through the board of supervisors of Towamensing Township would fine drivers who illegally park on Pohopoco Drive to get into Beltzville State Park.

If adopted, the motion could mean a penalty totaling up to $100 for motorists who leave their cars along roads surrounding the popular summertime spot. Supervisors have spent the past few months stewing over and drafting the rule after repeated complaints from residents whose homes line the busy streets.

Under the new ordinance, parking on either side of Deer Lane between Pohopoco Drive and Lakeside Drive, Jefferson Street between Franklin and Towamensing townships, Lakeside Drive and Lakeview Drive between Pohopoco and Station Street, Pine Run Road between Pohopoco and Jefferson, Station Street between Pohopoco and Lovitt Road and Pohopoco Drive between Franklin and Towamensing, would not be allowed.

“No Parking” signs would be installed to notify park visitors.

Local parking enforcement personnel and Pennsylvania State Police officers would also have the authority to impound or order cars parked on any of the aforementioned streets removed.

The ordinance will be advertised and could be approved as early as June, when supervisors are scheduled to meet next.

One question raised by the board when the parking rule was being drawn up was whether or not Pennsylvania State Police would enforce it.

Supervisor Scott Mosier said at a meeting Thursday morning that they would.

“They basically said if the signs are there, they can enforce it,” he said. “They can do their best.”

Supervisor John Kleintop asked Mosier if a township like Franklin has seen parking ordinances like the one being considered work. Mosier answered succinctly.

“No,” he replied. “The long and the short of it - no. This is thousands of people.”

That’s when Greg Haas, township engineer, brought up the prospect of holding Beltzville accountable for people who line roads with their cars. Haas said if the state park can’t offer adequate parking space for guests, it may be in violation of a township zoning ordinance.

Supervisors will look into writing a letter to warn park officials.

Parking along the winding roads encircling Beltzville has been a long-standing problem for local authorities such as Towamensing supervisors. The 949-acre lake lures people from in and out of the county, and even some out-of-state travelers.

Alma Holmes, manager of Beltzville State Park, estimated last summer that the park has an 8,000-person capacity. She added that accommodating parking for such a large number is challenging.

“It becomes a safety issue,” Holmes said last July.

Due to the global coronavirus epidemic, Beltzville’s beach areas are closed until at least May 25, Memorial Day.