Public Hearing Slated Tonight on Upper Mac Recreation Plan

Upper Macungie Supervisors will preside over a public hearing tonight at 6 p.m., where they'll listen to citizen input and comments about the

The 111-page plan is designed to preserve open space and increase the number of leisure activities available to the township's more than 19,000 residents. The township's last recreation plan was drafted in 1990 and amended in 2001.

Specifics in the draft plan include:

--  :  Convert former large VFW fields into three little league/softball fields.

-- Butz Road Park: Develop soccer fields and space for basketball, plus a walking trail to connect this park with Breinigsville Park.

-- : Add lighting and surveillance cameras to deter vandalism, and use tennis courts for instruction program.

-- Independent Park:  Make improvements to nine-hole golf course, and construct walking path and exercise stations.

Grange Park, a 150-acre facility located between Ruppsville Road and the Route 222 bypass, is already on the supervisor's radar screen for a conceputal build out.

Keystone Consulting Engineers presented supervisors with a that would add several athletic fields and other development to the property. Plans call for a baseball field in addition to multiple softball, baseball and football fields. A lacrosse field and tennis courts also are planned.

The meeting will take place at the township municipal building at 8330 Schantz Rd. in Breinigsville.