Open Space and Recreation Plan

The HJP Park and Open Space Commission (HJPPOSC) has been in operation for one year and has lots to show for it! The Commission has been working hard to hire a planner and oversee the master site planning process for the HJP regional park property on Golden Slipper Road in Jackson and Pocono Townships.

Members of the HJP Park and Open Space Commission are:

• Pocono Township - Jane Cilurso, Dean Hartshorn and Jeff Snyder
• Hamilton Township - Dave Fenner, Alan Everett and Don Kramer
• Jackson Township - Jack Rader, Don Kresge and David Thomas
• Pocono Mountain Area School District - Bill Forte
• Stroudsburg Area School District - Howard Frank

The committee has an intergovernmental agreement for the five public bodies to create a regional commission who can carry out the following functions:

• Plan, develop, operate, and maintain the regional park and any additional regional park or greenway projects
• Assist municipalities with implementing the regional open space and recreation plan
• Recreational programming
• Management and maintenance of existing municipal parks, if the municipalities desire.

The Commission hopes to hire a full-time director who can carry out the functions of the Commission and work with the municipalities at accomplishing their park projects. A Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant is funding this peer study project and will fund part of the compensation for a regional director. Anyone who wishes to be a part of the process or wishes to serve on the future Commission or a contributing sub-committee, please call the Pocono Township Building.

Spotts/Stevens/McCoy is a planning firm hired by the Commission to prepare a master site plan for the regional park. They have led study committee meetings, conducted key person interviews and held public input sessions to solicit input for the plan from the residents of our region. The planners have prepared a plan for this 146 acre wooded property that proposes paved and unpaved trails, equestrian trails, baseball/softball and soccer fields, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, pavilions, picnic areas and an amphitheater. The plan should be finalized in late spring and engineering for the projects should begin late in the year. A grant application has been submitted for construction of a preliminary phase of the park with a circular drive and multi-use trail.