West Lebanon Township considers Coleman Memorial Park connection

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The West Lebanon Township Board of Commissioners on Monday heard a request from Joseph Morales, co-chair of the Coleman Memorial Park Board of Trustees, that the township consider a walking path connecting the township’s park (located along Lehman Street) to Coleman Park.

Morales explained he had read the board’s minutes and seen they had expressed interest in such a project. He said the park was “very interested” in connecting the parks, noting they are in the process of connecting to Union Canal Tunnel Park as well.

Read More: New walking, biking trail through Coleman Memorial Park is open to users

He asked if commissioners would give their blessing to the project, at which point he would reach out to property owners along the path. Morales said he already spoke informally to owners of Heavy Equipment and Alamo Way, who were receptive to the idea.

The around .1-mile north/south trail would mostly run between the Alamo Way development and Heavy Equipment, if permissions were acquired from property owners and West Lebanon Township.

Commissioner Justin Snyder called the proposal a “wonderful idea,” saying the trail would connect residents to multiple parks. He also said the connection between ballfields could be conducive to kids’ competitions, noting the township is working towards installing lighting at its ballfield.

Commissioner Phylis Dryden said the idea had potential to offer residents “really good recreation.”

Commissioner Michelle Testerman said the plan would offer some benefits, but added she was worried the connection could cause problems with litter or misuse of the township recreation area. Morales responded that the Coleman Park team, among other things, also cleans up litter, and said this would also apply along the trail.

County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz, a West Lebanon resident, said a connection between parks could give the township an edge while applying for DCNR and watershed grants. She said recreation areas with heavier use tend to have fewer problems with littering and vandalism, which Morales said was also true in his experience as the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail’s vice president.

Though commissioners did not make a decision Monday, they indicated they would consider the idea. To give permission to pursue the project, the board would need to approve a resolution.

Also in recreation, the township has been in the process of significant renovations to the park, including a walking path, recent work installing pickleball courts (with fencing installed this past month) and an in-process gaga ball pit. Testerman thanked Tony Zimmerman of Alamo Way for donating time, equipment, and materials to the projects.

The township is also seeking grants to improve the park, including a $325,000 Local Share Account grant that would go toward paving the walkway and parking lot, installing lights for the baseball field, finishing the basketball court’s fencing, and adding another pickleball court and associated fencing and benches.

Read More: West Lebanon commissioners vote 4-1 to pursue LSA grant for recreation facility

“You can build it on as you want over the years with grants and make it something that West Lebanon has that somebody else doesn’t have,” said Snyder. “Right now, too many of our residents leave and they go to North Lebanon or somewhere else that has a pavilion that can be utilized during the winter months. Hopefully down the road, we can have the accommodations to do the same thing here at our rec.”

With an increase in improvements to recreation, commissioners discussed ongoing efforts to reestablish a volunteer recreation committee, as the township’s existing committee has been inactive for some time.

Testerman explained that the community now has lots of families with kids who benefit from recreation. Commissioner Jeffrey Clarke added that, with incoming developments set to pay $1,000 in occupancy fees for each completed lot, the township will soon have more dedicated funds going toward recreation.

Testerman said anyone interested in joining the committee on a volunteer basis should reach out to the township, either by emailing the township manager or calling the building. She said volunteers from the township would be encouraged, but they would not exclude non-residents from bringing forth their ideas.

Commissioners also approved a resolution adopting a five-year contract with Northern Lebanon Little League to allow use of the baseball field, with Joseph Templin opposed. The contract includes several improvements the league plans to make to the field.

In other news, commissioners:

• Unanimously agreed to advertise the draft 2026 budget for adoption, with a balanced revenue and expenditure estimate of $1,459,966 and the reduction of the streetlight tax from 85 cents per front foot to 75 cents per front foot.
• Discussed recently floated fire company regionalization, as a study recently suggested the merge of Speedwell Engine & Hose Company with Annville Cleona and Neversink, with commissioners opting to discuss the topic further.
• Unanimously agreed to table discussion of full-time employee retirement benefits, with plans to revisit next year before the formulation of the 2027 budget.
• Discussed the possible addition of a fire tax to pay for emergency services, though no decision was ultimately made.
• Unanimously agreed to authorize the solicitor to prepare an ordinance denoting the position of township manager. Though the township already has a manager, an ordinance formalizing the position was never adopted.
• Heard a presentation from EMA coordinator Brianna Laliberte explaining that the Lebanon DES is seeking volunteers for a community emergency response team, and updating commissioners on the state of FEMA, with it being unlikely the township will receive FEMA assistance for emergencies in the future.
• Agreed to continue to pursue Rodriguez vs. West Lebanon Township, citing costs the case has generated from the township, with Snyder opposed.
• Heard and approved reports and minutes.

West Lebanon Township meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.