SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — The rules soon may change at Covered Bridge Park.
South Whitehall posted on Facebook last week that it has increasingly seen “unsafe and unnecessary practices” in the park and will increase police patrols.
Visitors were grilling along the banks of and inside of Jordan Creek, placing picnic tables and chairs in it and “playing excessively loud music,” according to the post.
Because of that, the South Whitehall Board of Commissioners at its Wednesday meeting discussed creating new rules for the park — which may include a ban or limitation on swimming in the creek.
“It's really disturbing to think about the potential impact on our waterways."Board President Diane Kelly
Board President Diane Kelly said she thinks now is a good time for the ordinance because the township is expanding the Jordan Creek Greenway, which may bring more visitors to the park.
“I think it's very timely that we set up standards to assure the public safety and enjoyment of our natural resources,” Kelly said.
“Absolutely nothing should be in that creek — tables, chairs, grills. It's really disturbing to think about the potential impact on our waterways. It's just very unfortunate.”
Township staff now will create a draft ordinance, or law, of the new rules that commissioners will vote on at a future meeting.
What would the ordinance say?
Township Manager Tom Petrucci gave some examples of what could be in the ordinance.
Visitors would be allowed to cook only in designated areas, would not be allowed to take items in the creek and could not play loud music.
The number of guests on the pavilions would be limited.
The township also may put up barriers to prevent people from parking on the grass.
The board disagreed on whether or not the township should ban swimming in Jordan Creek.
Commissioner Monica Hodges said she would be in favor of banning any kind of swimming in the creek, but allowing wading and fishing.
“You really don't know, at any given time, the depth of that creek…You don't know where there's rocks and stones,” Hodges said.
“To have people diving, jumping cannonballs, swinging off that rope swing — I think it's dangerous. It's a spinal injury waiting to happen.”
As soon as possible
Kelly said she thinks the rope swing should not be permitted, but said she is unsure about swimming.
“I'm wrestling with this,” Kelly said, “because the creek is a place for visitors to cool off and refresh on a hot day. Where do we draw a line with swimming, and how do we begin to enforce it?”
Township Public Works Director Herb Bender said his staff have repeatedly cut the rope swing, but visitors keep putting it back.
“I’ve seen parks have bad outcomes because of the items that we're talking about today. And the longer it lingers, the worse it got."Commissioner Chris Peischl
Petrucci also mentioned potentially limiting park access during peak visiting hours through a parking pass system. But he said that would only be considered if the first rule change doesn't work.
Commissioner Chris Peischl said he thinks the new ordinance needs to be adopted as soon as possible, before people’s behavior “gets out of hand.”
“I’ve seen parks have bad outcomes because of the items that we're talking about today," Peischl said. "And the longer it lingers, the worse it got."
Once the ordinance is finalized, the township will put up new signs in the park explaining the rules, Petrucci said.
