Members of the Eldred Township Community Center gave a presentation to the supervisors Wednesday night about their ideas for the beautification of the community center property and increase its use in the community.

Donna Deihl, the manager of the Kunkletown Thrift Store that is operated out of the community center, and her brother, Doug Borger, gave the presentation and used an aerial map as a visual aid.

Deihl said the plans are very preliminary. Nothing has been approved. They just wanted to get the ideas out to the community.

The back parking lot where the volunteers park, Deihl said used to be blacktopped. It could be blacktopped again and painted with games the children could play like hopscotch and four square.

“I think that would also bring back a lot of memories for people who did attend this school,” she said.

Deihl would also like to see a board put up for announcements and a sign for the community center with another sign on the side of the building. She also thought a clock tower would be an attractive feature outside.

As far as maintenance, she said the flagpole needs to be painted, and new sidewalks and curbing need to be installed. They also need a new shed for the lawn mowers because the one they have is rotting.

Borger said they want to have input from the Parks and Recreation Committee. He wants it to be more of a community effort.

“We have a lot of smart minds,” he said. “What this really comes down to is this is a community center and that’s what this is all about.”

Phase one

Borger said he drives past the community center daily and there are always people there.

“The system is working with the playground. I think it’s time to patch that up, take this to a new level, and get more people encouraged and coming over here. Kind of modernize it a little bit,” he said.

Borger proposed updating the playground equipment so that it could be utilized by children with disabilities; as well as constructing a biodegradable bathroom, basketball court and pavilions.

In addition, Borger said the group hopes to create a farmers market and place for events; as well as a walking path and picnic area.

“There are so many neat things you can do right here,” he said.

Borger said this is the phase one of the project. They are looking into grants that don’t require a match from the township.

Future phase

In phase two, Borger said they would like to continue the walking path down the hillside to the Buckwha Creek. The trail would have a switchback design, because the hill is steep, he said.

Borger envisions working with the Kunkletown Rod and Gun Club to have fishing tournaments at the creek.

Township secretary Ann Velopolcek said the Buckwha Creek was designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as an HQ stream, which is one that is high quality. It would be a good place for fishing tournaments.

The Buckwha flows into the Aquashicola Creek in Little Gap. Velopolcek said the water quality of the Aquashicola was increased in January by the DEP. It is now designated as an EV stream, which means is it considered to be exceptional value. This is the highest ranking given to waterways in Pennsylvania, she said.

The township supervisors were supportive of the ideas and happy to see residents getting involved.

“It’s an ambitious project,” said Supervisor Scott Clark. “We have a lot of beautiful space and it’s underutilized, so this is an opportunity to make it more functional for everyone in the township to enjoy.”