Dingman unveils new township park

DINGMAN — The long-awaited opening of the new Dingman Township Park on Log Tavern Road took place this past Sunday.
On hand were the Dingman Township Supervisors, State Senator Lisa Baker (R-District 20), General Assembly Representative Rosemary Brown (R-District 189), Pike County Commissioners, township office and maintenance department staff as well as other guests, dignitaries, township residents and area league representatives.
Supervisors Chairman Tom Mincer officially dedicated the park to all township residents: “It has been an amazing journey and I want to thank all the people in the township who supported this project. When we started, we didn’t think we’d get to this point. I also want to thank all our elected representatives at the state level for all their help.”
“Let me also thank our Solicitor John Klemeyer for all his work, who, unfortunately, is a Yankees fan,” said Mincer, creating a light-hearted, joking atmosphere. Klemeyer retorted, “Who will be in first place by tomorrow!?” Klemeyer ended up winning this argument as the Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox this past Monday and clinched the division on Wednesday.
Mincer dedicated the children’s playground to deceased township supervisor Al Greening, presenting a plaque to his family honoring all the work Greening did for the township and his work moving the park project forward.
Of her contribution to the park project, Senator Baker said, “I’ve been involved in advocating with various state agencies for funding. There are many communities trying to get money for their own projects.” Representative Brown acknowledged her shared efforts with township officials, writing many letters to get funding for the park. “I have been working with Senator Baker and Representative Mike Peifer to push to get money for this much needed project,” Brown said.
The sun was shining and there was no rain in sight for the unveiling of the new park. The playground areas were full of kids trying out the new equipment and a bounce house was even set up for the one-day only grand opening celebration.
The 100+ acre park project, the ground for which had first been broken in May of 2011, has been in the works for ten years and has a reported cost over $1 million. The new recreation area boasts a concession stand, two children’s playgrounds, football fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, and walking and hiking trails. Everything at the park is handicapped accessible and there is plenty of parking.
Leagues are already signing up and reserving dates and times for use of the various fields. Since it is a public park, people and leagues from surrounding townships will be encouraged to visit, enjoy, and use the available facilities, township supervisors said.
The park will be open to the public during the month of October and will then be closed for the winter. Nearly everything in the park will be completed upon its reopening in the spring of 2013, but the construction of some areas will be ongoing.