Pleas by members of Bowmanstown Area Residents Connected for a resolution to apply for a grant for a proposed multiuse park in the borough have come up short.

By a slim 4-3 margin, borough council last week declined a request to add a motion to the agenda to give authorization to BARC to apply for a grant.

Council members Darren Thomas, Candace Rodrigues, Rob Sikorsky, and council President Pam Leiby were opposed. Council members Rob Moyer, Kara Scott, and Norman Engle Jr. were in favor.

After council’s vote, members of BARC got up from their seats and left the meeting.

Before the vote, council heard from several residents, as well as members of BARC.

Sherry Nicholson, a part-time resident of the borough, said she’s lived in town since 1984.

“I am humbly asking you to reconsider your decision concerning the quarter-mile walking trail,” Nicholson said. Nicholson said she’d like to see a walking trail with some trees and benches, along with perhaps a picnic table or two.

“BARC worked with the D & L to become a trail town, and grant money is available,” she said. “The goal is to use grant money, and not to burden the citizens of Bowmanstown to fund this.”

Nicholson noted the borough’s lack of sidewalks, and mentioned its steep hills, which she said is the common complaint for walking groups.

Benefits of walking

According to the 2020 census, she said 31% of the population is 50 years old and up, and added that chronic illness is usually diagnosed at 45 years of age.

“As a nurse, I know a walking trail will help manage chronic illness such as heart disease and diabetes,” said Nicholson, who added that hip and knee replacement are common at age 60 to 80. “A level walking trail aids in recovery.”

Nicholson said that in Rome, Georgia, her primary residence, they have a quarter-mile track.

“When I go there, I am always amazed to see people with walkers using the track along with elite athletes,” she said. “The (camaraderie) is amazing.”

Nicholson said that according to the National Recreation & Parks Association, greenways or recreation areas can increase property values by 8 to 20% depending on the proximity to the area.

Ben Price also requested that council reconsider, and added that he has letters of support for the plan, including one from state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

“I’d really like to see this placed on the agenda,” Price said. “I think we should also respect the needs of the community as well.”

Leiby said that initially when BARC came to council, they asked for just a walking path, and then council heard a presentation with something totally different, and a lot more cost.

“I think that was the concern to us; it wasn’t the initial request,” Leiby said. “I think that was council’s concerns.”

Leiby said that council would put it on this month’s workshop agenda.

However, the deadline to submit the $250,000 grant is before council’s workshop meeting on May 21.

Thomas noted that they are still bound by their documents with regard to Railroad Street.

Moyer then asked for the motion to be added to the agenda, which failed.

Last month, borough council also denied permission for BARC to apply for a grant for the park.

Jayson Woods, landscape architect with Woodland Design Associates Inc., met with council in March to discuss the proposed park.

Woods, who was hired by BARC through a grant from Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society, said that of the over 900 residents in the borough, over 100 participants responded to a survey. Many were from the borough and surrounding areas and are primarily in the 45-and-over age bracket. Those who responded said they wanted a walking trail, park lighting, restrooms and pavilions with picnic tables.