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The North Cornwall Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the land development plan for the Lebanon Quittie Park, conditional on the receipt of the park’s letter of credit, at its second monthly meeting Tuesday.
The board reviewed the park’s plans at its April 2 meeting, but elected to delay approval until the receipt of various documents, which have since been turned over to the township.
Read more: North Cornwall supervisors review plans for Lebanon Quittie Park improvements
Developers Scott and Barbara Shreve were present Tuesday and noted that no changes have been made to the plan since it was presented earlier this month.
The park, which is proposed for 2455 Chestnut St., is planned to include 11 parking spaces, an ADA-accessible 2-foot elevated picnic pavilion (as most of the property is located on a flood plain), an ADA-accessible trail, and four storage units to be used by the Lebanon Valley Bicycle Coalition.
The Shreves explained that they hope the park, expected to be completed next spring, will serve community purposes including disabled veteran bicycling, wildlife watching, and safe social gatherings.
The park will be gated, with “park ambassadors” working directly with community groups to grant access to the park. This will allow community groups to have private access to the park for events.
“Perhaps with the help of park ambassadors, the Lebanon Quittie Park can become a safe gathering place to meet a new friend while sitting along the Quittie listening to a woodpecker,” reads a park explainer provided by the Shreves.
They explained that they have been in contact with various members of the community who are interested in volunteering or using the space for organization events. They hope the park will eventually be connected with the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail, which is a tenth of a mile away.
“I think being close to the rail trail was enticing at the beginning,” said Scott. “I think the natural beauty kind of grew on us as we got to work there.”
Supervisors on Tuesday also heard the final monthly police report of police Chief Harry Ward, who is retiring after 32 years total at North Cornwall and three years serving as chief. He took over after former chief John Leahy was placed on leave in March 2021 when the township initiated an investigation into former North Cornwall Township police officer Joseph Fischer’s actions on January 6, 2021 and afterwards.
“I just want to say, Harry, that it’s been a pleasure,” said board president Mike Wahmann. “We were lucky to have you fill in after the fiasco a couple of years ago.”
The North Cornwall Board of Supervisors meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.
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