Borough Doesn’t Want Water Street Park to Become Another Penn Pump

There is excitement in Hellertown about the improvements that have been made to Water Street Park, but also some trepidation about the facility’s future, in light of how popular with unwelcome guests another creekside recreation area became this summer.

Penn Pump Park along the Bushkill Creek in Palmer Township was eventually closed by township supervisors, after it began attracting hundreds of visitors from the New York City area on weekends; visitors who in many cases left litter behind, disregarded park rules and abused the facilities.

While no one is exactly sure how Penn Pump became a go-to destination for so many New Yorkers, borough manager Cathy Hartranft told council Aug. 17 she believes the new Water Street Park will also be very popular.

“People are going to love this park,” she said, which is why she asked council to support some “proactive” rule-making, months before Water Street is scheduled to reopen.

Of particular concern, Hartranft said, is the new basketball court that could attract organized league play.

“Our concern is that you’ll have an organized league using that court every night, and that it won’t be available to the residents—to the kids,” she told council.

Hartranft recommended that council mandate permits for athletic leagues that wish to use both the basketball and sand volleyball courts–as well as the pavilion–at Water Street Park.

Other proposed rules included the following:

• Use of proper footwear on the basketball court
• No eating, drinking or smoking on the courts
• A one-hour limit on court-time if others are waiting to use a court
• No vulgar language
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
• No abuse of the nets or other equipment

Hartranft said use of the volleyball court is also a concern because it had become very popular before the park closed for renovations in April.

“Somebody’s coming in (to use the volleyball court) in a bus,” she said.

“I think it’s important to leave it for the residents moreso than the organized leagues,” agreed council president Tom Rieger.

Council agreed that permit-holders should only be allowed the use of the facilities three days a week.

The idea of a permit fee schedule that differentiates between residents and non-residents–similar to Lower Saucon Township’s pavilion rental fee schedule–was also discussed.

The new fee schedule would also apply to the Dimmick Park pavilion, which is rented out for private functions.

Hartranft said she would create a draft fee schedule for council to review at a future meeting.

Police Chief Robert Shupp also suggested that the borough post signs at the pavilions encouraging parties to contact the borough before setting up for an event.

He said there have been incidents in which a permit-holder has arrived at the park pavilion only to find someone without a permit already using it.

Water Street Park is scheduled to reopen in the spring.

Although the majority of the work on the park is now complete, it remains closed to allow grass seed to germinate and for plantings to take place in the fall.