Palmerton plans to amend an ordinance that would make all of the parks in the borough uniform as open from dawn to dusk.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell said the borough park is closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., while the other parks/fields are closed from dusk to dawn.

“Why would we want anyone hanging (in the borough park) when it’s dark?” Hausmann-Sell asked “It’s not a hangout place to be there (unless there’s an event).”

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield said the final draft of the ordinance should be ready in time by this month’s council meeting. Council will review and advertise it.

After the meeting, Canfield said, “The current ordinance has provisions listed such as closes at dusk and in the borough park section, it does list the 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. closure (as well as the closes at dusk).”

The proposed amendment would make parks uniform.

Council members are concerned about past vandalism at the bandstand and considered permit-only usage.

In February, resident Lisa Snell Kern suggested perhaps council consider a “no loitering” designation.

Council President Terry Costenbader said council would ask its parks and recreation commission to look at that and make recommendations.

Resident Marj Federanich said that while she understood where Snell Kern is coming from, “It’s not worked so far.”

Mayor Don Herrmann noted at that time that he, along with Joe Federanich of the Palmerton Bandstand Committee, did a lot of work last summer to the bandstand, only to see damage done to it.

Herrmann said at that time those who are bad are making the bandstand look really bad, and agreed something needs to be done.

Joe Federanich told council in October that damage continues to happen at an alarming rate to the bandstand in the borough park.

Then borough Manager Donna McGarry said at that time that she reached out to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission because the bandstand is a historical structure. Unfortunately, she said they had no suggestions other than what the borough is doing.

Marj Federanich, who spoke on behalf of the Concourse Club of Palmerton, suggested putting a sign up stating no bicycles, skateboards, or loitering is allowed inside the bandstand so that there’s some type of presence of a warning.

Borough police Chief Tim Kromer said that the borough’s ordinance does not allow bicycles, skateboards or scooters in the bandstand.

Herrmann said the police department has been proactive in its approach.

She referred to an incident in which a child was injured near the bandstand.

However, Hollywood said at that time he didn’t believe a sign would make a difference.

Hausman-Sell previously said that vandalism in the park isn’t just relegated to the bandstand.

Council has also denied a request for bathrooms in the borough park.