43rd Annual Civic trust awards

Community Service Award

Palmer Township Parks Department

 Award Presentation by Debra Young

Tonight, our Community Service Award is recognizing a group who by their contributions to the Palmer community distinguishes Palmer Township as a caring community.  It just so happens this group consists of 2 departments of Palmer Township employees.  BIP has been very proud of the community projects that we have been able to support through funds raised at our annual golf tournament, but to continue the upkeep of these projects presented an issue. This is where our Parks and Public Works departments came to our rescue. 

Here are some of the BIP projects and the upkeep:

• BIP was proud to fund the construction and design of the “Welcome to Palmer” sign at the corner of the municipal property, but guess who improved the landscaping, regraded and seeded the disturbed area and cleaned up of the flower beds?
•  Our Doggy stations posted along the bike path is a great addition and a great way to keep our paths clean, but guess who we rely on for maintaining the “dog poop” bag holders and replacement bags?
•  BIP created and funded the park like setting in front of the library, a place to sit outside to read or relax, but guess who assembled and installed these benches and who will be resealing of the pattern concrete at the Library?
•  When BIP realized there is some rusting on the Library benches that will need to be upgraded with time, guess who is offering their assistance and budget item to make this improvement?
•  BIP selected the site of the Route 22W Welcome to Palmer sign as a spot that needed beautification, but guess who removed the overgrown shrubs and cleaned up the area?
•  BIP bought benches to be placed along the bike path for walkers or riders to rest along the way, but guess who assembled and installed the benches in peak locations and attached the donated by BIP plaques on these benches?

Palmer Township’s Parks and Public Works departments has assisted with these continuing projects where needed.

A non-BIP project the Parks Department did this summer is the restoration and landscaping along the Lehigh River bike path where years of erosion has created large gouges in the bank below Chain Dam Rd. These large gouges have been filled with huge rocks to slow and diffuse cascading rainwater. The areas around the rock placements have been nicely landscaped.

 In a world where “that’s not my job” could be the working environment, we should be proud of our township employees who step up and support BIP’s improvement and beautification projects that make Palmer Township a great place to Live, Work and Play. 

 Accepting on behalf of Palmer Township’s Parks and Public Works department is Jamie Paetzell.