South Whitehall commissioners OK Devon Circle playground plan

The Devon Circle area of Springhouse Estates in South Whitehall is one step closer to the installation of a playground.

The South Whitehall Board of Commissioners voted on July 20 to accept the recommendation of the township’s Parks and Recreation Board for a plan to provide playground structures for children ages 2-12.

One township resident, Valentina Krizel of the 1300 block of Devon Circle, urged the township to move forward as soon as possible with the construction.

“Promotion of safety and health is the key,” Krizel said.

Township Manager Jon Hammer said bids will be sought for some of the playground equipment. Consequently, he said, it will take a while for the township to develop the new playground and construction probably won’t start until the spring of 2012.

Devon Circle residents originally had brought their request for a playground to the township commissioners about two months ago. The commissioners advised the residents to take up the matter with the Parks and Recreation Board.

Devon Circle resident Michelle Maurer subsequently approached the Parks board with a request for a playground on a more than two-acre property bordered by Route 22 on the south. The board suggested that Maurer poll her neighbors to see if they agreed with the idea.

Maurer collected signatures on a petition from 26 households in support of the proposal.

The Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend approval of the playground at its July 11th meeting. Money for the project will come from a fund supported by builders who are required to provide either money or land for recreation when they propose building in the township.