Christman Ballfield in Franklin Township has received a sizable grant to upgrade the recreation complex.

Retired Maj. Gen. (Marvin) Jay Barry told supervisors on Tuesday that he received a call from state Sen. David Argall’s office that the state Department of Community and Economic Development grant that they applied for through the Greenways, Trails and Recreation fund was approved.

It’s a grant of $212,000, and there was an additional matching amount of $37,000, which brings the total received to just under $250,000.

“This is tremendous good news for Franklin Township,” Barry said. “And again, without the help of the supervisors and people like the volunteer fire company and Ron Steigerwalt and his Franklin Township Athletic Association, this really wouldn’t have happened.”

Barry then gave an outline of what the grant means to the township.

The first grant is for Phase One, which calls for paving the roadway into the complex and curbing along the entire roadway, which is necessary because of drainage issues.

“So that is a major improvement, and will certainly help the drainage situation,” he said.

The other part of the grant includes a new parking area made of crushed stone, with room for about 100 cars.

A paved parking area will be added for handicapped accessibility, with trails that will lead from the handicapped area down to the refreshment stand.

Barry said some improvements will be made to the refreshment stand. A covered patio will be added with purchase eight picnic tables, with two that are certified for handicapped use.

The grant also covers some grading on the infield area on the Babe Ruth Field.

Barry said they’re going to aerate the outfield and add seed. Channels will be added to funnel some water as there’s been some runoff issues.

More improvements

Barry said it also includes a new backstop for the Babe Ruth Field, and with four bleachers, including an ADA compliant bleacher.

He said $250,000 will be used to accomplish Phase One.

Barry said they’ve also applied for a second grant through the state Department of Community & Economic Development through the Local Share Account from Monroe County gaming funds.

The second phase will include a T-ball field in the northeast corner of the field, a playground area, and a new parking area.

The cost for the playground itself is $128,000, $130,000 for the field, and about another $25,000, so they requested a grant from DCED for $332,000.

Barry said they should hear about that grant sometime in spring.

“We certainly hope that gets approved,” he said. “So this will kind of usher in a new area for the Christman Field complex.”

Barry said further projects will include a new fully-sized Little League compliant field, and a walking trail throughout.

“So this entire project is something I think that the people of Franklin Township can be pretty proud of, and this first grant is a major step,” he said. “And to me it signifies the fact that the powers that be in Harrisburg have determined this is a worthwhile project, and we expect to hear more about the project in the very near future.”

“But again, thanks to the township and a lot of other people, including state Sen. Argall and state Rep. (Doyle) Heffley, responsible for making this thing finally coming to fruition,” he said. “And we thank everybody involved for getting us this far.”

Extensive project

Barry said the project was started about four years ago, prior to COVID.

After COVID, they revisited the plan to determine what kinds of grants were available.

“And one of the things that we’ll hopefully be working with the township to be included is a sewer line which runs from Fairyland Road up to the ballfield that (will) be able to connect up to the two bathrooms, one up along Walnut Street to the bathroom on the north side, but those are all possibilities for the complex in the future.”

Supervisors Chairman Fred Kemmerer Jr. asked Barry how many hours were put into this.

Barry replied, “hundreds and hundreds of hours.”

Kemmerer said that Barry gave credit to everybody by himself.

“Outside, I think all of us believe you deserve the most credit for what has caught on here,” he said. “We signed endorsements, we supported what you’re doing and your vision, so I think you deserve a round of applause.”

Barry said he’s a lifelong resident of the township, other than the time he spent in the military “so this is home for me for a lot of reasons.”

He said his sons and his daughter played in Little League.

“So it’s been an association with Franklin Township and Lehighton and the Little League Association that I thought was a worthwhile project to pursue and certainly worth my time,” he said. “Seeing it come to fruition, at least this first part, is really heartwarming for me, and again thanks to everybody who made it possible.”

Kemmerer reminisced about his time spent playing Little League back in the 80s.

“I remember riding my bicycle all the way up to Christman Field and when the ice dams got built, I’m thinking, ‘Oh my Goodness, like if we only had something like this when I was a kid.’?”

In April, the board agreed to support the Franklin Township Athletic Association’s efforts to apply for grants for the ballfield.

Barry had previously given a donation.