SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — The township's largest park will get more police patrol after what authorities said is an increase of rule-breaking.
South Whitehall posted on Facebook that it has increasingly seen “unsafe and unnecessary practices” in Covered Bridge Park — some of which could harm Jordan Creek.
As per the notice, visitors have been grilling along the banks of and inside of Jordan Creek, taking township picnic tables into the creek and placing tables and chairs in it.
Those behaviors could pollute the creek and damage the stream bed and banks, Township Manager Tom Petrucci said via email.
The post said visitors also have been “playing excessively loud music” and parking in non-designated parking areas.
“South Whitehall Township respectfully asks that visitors to Covered Bridge Park experience the natural beauty of the park in a manner that does not negatively impact the health of the Jordan Creek waterway or impede the ability of other visitors to enjoy the park,” the post reads.
Patrol and 'continue to evaluate'
South Whitehall Township Police now will patrol the park for extended hours this weekend, according to the post.
Petrucci said the incidents began occurring during the heatwave and escalated on the Fourth of July and last weekend.
"Each incident will be handled by the police department on a case-by-case basis.”Tom Petrucci, South Whitehall Township Manager
Asked if the police officers will issue fines, Petrucci said “each incident will be handled by the police department on a case-by-case basis.”
“South Whitehall Township officials will continue to evaluate the ongoing impacts to Covered Bridge Park in consideration of these repeated occurrences,” the post reads.
Covered Bridge Park, which gets its name from the two covered bridges at either end, is the township’s largest park at 114 acres.
It has picnic pavilions, baseball fields, football/soccer fields, a disc golf course and the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail.
