Logging of Patsy Hillman park has residents upset
Stump Creek Lumber Co. presented Patsy Hillman Park with a check for $91,500 in exchange for logging on park land. Pictured handling the check are (from left) Gary Gable, park board treasurer; Troy Cary, Stump Creek Lumber Co. representative; and Frank Ricco, park board president. Pictured in the rear are (from left) Bill Baker, Redstone Township supervisors board chairman; Jack Lawver, Brownsville council president; Ron DeSalvo, Luzern Township supervisor; and John Evans, park board member. HILLER – With the contract signing this past week for the removal of the trees at the Patsy Hillman Park, park board officials announced that Stump Creek Lumber Co., located in Punxsutawney, started the removal process to the dismay of many residents who use the park for walking and other activities.
Ken Beck of Hiller asked park officials why tree removal was the only means of income to the park.
“I’m not here to condemn the board. I know your trying to help the park,” Beck said. “I just wish there was more notification to the public given that tree removal was going to be taking place. We would have gotten a petition going around to stop the logging. There has to be other ways to go about it (raising money) other than destroying something that took 100 years to grow?”
Beck acknowledged that he understands money used from the tree removal will be used for improvements to the park, but the constant vandalism may negate the improvement efforts the park board is attempting to do.
“We can’t live in fear of the vandalism,” said Frank Ricco, president of the park board.
“We are not doing it (tree removal) to destroy the park. We think we are doing the right thing by raising money through tree removal.”
Ricco noted that with the scarce number of volunteers to maintain the upkeep of the park, something had to be done for the park to remain open to the public.
“Volunteerism has dropped off steadily during my 20 years on the board,” said Ricco.
“Maybe logging the park will open some eyes to volunteer. At least Mr. Beck showed interest in the park.”
Brownsville Mayor Norma Ryan, an advocate for revitalization in the area said, “Now that there is interest in the park, now is the time to move ahead and bring the community together to further efforts in the maintenance of the park. Maybe we can start a ‘Friends of the Park’ group?”
Karen Beck, Beck’s wife, agreed with Ryan. “A group of citizens needs to get together to meet and to look at the needed improvements of the park. Having a walking trail would be a great addition to the park.”
Added Ken Beck, “Why not bring the motor cross races back to the park for further income?”
“The promotion company for the (scheduled) races cancelled this year. We had nothing to do with this,” said Ricco.
Added Ricco, “We operate on a shoe string budget. Our rentals bring the only source of income into the park.”
“And the rentals don’t even cover insurance costs,” noted park board member Eugene Enfield.
According to the park board’s financial report, only $2,425 was earned through rentals this year from May 18 through Sept. 15.
Ricco said the $91,500 from the contract with Stump Creek Lumber will be put into a special trust for major improvements for the park. The interest earned from the money will be used for other necessities needed to maintain the park.
Stump Creek Lumber has one-year to complete the logging from the signing date of the contract.