Palmer Supervisors Keep Summer Parks Program

Palmer Township parents who usually take their children to the various municipal playgrounds for summer programs can rest assured that the programs will remain, at least for another summer. 

On Tuesday, Cheryl Nielsen, secretary for the township Recreation Board appeared before the Board of Supervisors asking that funding for the program continue.

The 2011 municipal budget allocates $10,000 towards the program. There had been discussion to cut the funding for the program due to declining enrollment in recent years.

“We do hit a lot of kids who are not in a lot of other programs,” said Nielsen. 

The program is open for residents between the ages of 5 and 12 for six weeks, two days a week and is offered at five municipal parks over the summer. The program costs $50 and is run in two sessions, 9am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm. Organized games, arts and crafts and other activities are part of the day. There are also day trips and a season ending picnic. Instructors are college students or must be a high school graduate to qualify for work. Nieslen, a retired physical education teacher, has been a part of township recreation since 1967.

“I would hate to see that it’s abolished,” she said. But Nielsen said she understands the concern from supervisors in hard economic times.

Of the $10,000 budgeted for the program, $8,200 is for salaries alone. The remainder goes towards program supplies.

“We saw the numbers dwindle,” said Supervisor David Colver.

“If the economy continues the way it is you’re not going to get a problem working it.” Supervisor Ann-Marie Panella.

Nielsen said the program is an alternative for parents who don’t want to send their children to the township’s community center.

 “I understand why you want to cut it,” said Nielsen. “Ten thousand dollars…there are a lot of other things we could do with the money.”

Supervisors also considered only having the program run in the morning hours but decided against that suggestion. Should the program be cut in the future, supervisors say they would like to see something similar but run at the community center.