Introduction

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Important background information has been collected and mapped to provide a foundation for the policies and recommendations of this Plan, including:

Maps showing existing parklands, schools, environmentally sensitive areas, steep slopes, flood-prone areas, recharge areas and forests.

A detailed inventory of all public and school district recreational facilities and lands.
An analysis of the future population and housing trends of Palmer Township that relate to recreation.
Reviews of recreation comments made in the township's 2003 survey of all Township residents.
Most of these materials have been incorporated into the body of this report, while others are found in the appendix.

ROCESS OF DEVELOPING THIS PLAN

This plan was developed and evolved during a set of workshops with a committee consisting of members of the Recreation Board, Planning Commission, Environmental Steering Committee and other key Township officials. The plan was then returned to the respective board, commission and committee for their comments. Then, public comment was invited at a combined major public meeting. Finally, the Plan was recommended by the Township Recreation Board, Planning Commission and Environmental Steering Committee for adoption by the Township Board of Supervisors.

PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN

This plan will help to accomplish the following major purposes:
- provide direction for development of recreation programs within the township,
- provide direction for acquisition of land and development of facilities, especially in deciding how new developments should be required to meet the Township's requirements for recreation land and/or fees-in-lieu of land.
- provide guidance and recommendations on methods of preserving and conserving important open spaces and
- fulfill the requirements of the PA Municipalities Planning Code, which requires an officially adopted “Recreation Plan” before a municipality can require developers to dedicate recreation land and/or fees-in-lieu of land.