A Bowmanstown resident continues to push for a walking path in a proposed multiuse park in the borough.

Christine Bottcher asked borough council this week for direction one month after it voted 4-3 to deny a request to add a motion to the agenda to give authorization to Bowmanstown Area Residents Connected to apply for a grant.

“What can we do borough wise to put a path there? It doesn’t have to be macadamed.”

Mayor Zach Snyder answered.

“I think the big concern is the project was initially going to be a walking path. People aren’t opposed to a walking path, they were concerned with the price.”

Snyder said such a request has to come with an actual figure.

Bottcher then asked whether they could get someone to raise money.

“The key part here is we are a D & L town,” she said, adding that every other town is doing something to connect their towns to the D & L. “It draws people to the area.”

Councilman Rob Sikorsky, who was among the four last month who voted in opposition of BARC’s request, said when BARC first pitched the original concept, he was in.

Bottcher thanked council for hearing her out.

“I just don’t want it to completely go away,” said Bottcher, who referenced a resident survey previously conducted.

Council President Pam Leiby, who last month voted in opposition, said she found the survey, and that there were eight or nine different options.

“That wasn’t what was originally asked,” said Leiby, who added the hefty price tag isn’t something the borough can afford.

But, Bottcher reiterated her previous stance that she has never saw anyone who attended a borough council meeting opposed to the walking trail.

Before last month’s vote, council heard from several residents, as well as members of BARC.

Sherry Nicholson, a part-time resident of the borough, said she’s lived in town since 1984.

Nicholson said she’d like to see a walking trail with some trees and benches, along with perhaps a picnic table or two.

Nicholson noted the borough’s lack of sidewalks, and mentioned its steep hills, which she said is the common complaint for walking groups.

According to the 2020 census, she said 31% of the population is 50 years old and up, and added that chronic illness is usually diagnosed at 45 years of age.

Nicholson said that in Rome, Georgia, her primary residence, they have a quarter-mile track.

Nicholson said that according to the National Recreation & Parks Association, greenways or recreation areas can increase property values by 8 to 20% depending on the proximity to the area.

Ben Price also requested that council reconsider, and added that he has letters of support for the plan, including one from state Rep. Doyle Heffley.

Leiby said that initially when BARC came to council, they asked for just a walking path, and then council heard a presentation with something totally different, and a lot more cost.

The deadline to submit the $250,000 grant was before council’s workshop meeting last month.

Councilman Darren Thomas, who last month voted in opposition, noted at that time they are still bound by their documents with regard to Railroad Street.

Councilman Rob Moyer, who last month voted in favor, asked at that time for a motion to be added to the agenda, which failed.

In April, borough council also denied permission for BARC to apply for a grant for the park.

Jayson Woods, landscape architect with Woodland Design Associates Inc., met with council in March to discuss the proposed park.

Woods, who was hired by BARC through a grant from Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society, said that of the over 900 residents in the borough, over 100 participants responded to a survey.

Many were from the borough and surrounding areas and are primarily in the 45-and-over age bracket. Those who responded said they wanted a walking trail, park lighting, restrooms and pavilions with picnic tables.