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Board approves plan for ATV track and trails at Hillman Park

By Christine Haines 3 min read

LUZERNE TWP. – The Brownsville-Luzerne Park Board Monday voted to approve the preliminary plans for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) track and trails at Patsy Hillman Park. The four-part plan, which also includes plans for a dealership adjacent to the park, was presented last week to the park board by businessman Gerald Trainer. There are several conditions attached to the preliminary approval.

“We want to see a business plan and we have to work out the final legal details,” said park board member Andrew French.

Another condition of approval is that the plan be in compliance with local land-use and zoning plans. Harry Hall, a consultant working on the comprehensive land use plan for Luzerne and Redstone townships, said that the preliminary township plan does call for a mix of business and residential uses in the area around the park. Hall said the first public meeting on the land-use plan would probably be held in about a month.

Trainer said his attorney would like to meet with the solicitors from the borough and the township. The two municipalities are the actual owners of the park and will need to give final approval to any plan.

“The park cannot sustain itself without revenue, and the township and the borough have not shown initiative to police the park. We thought if we could generate some income, we could do the things we’ve wanted to do, like put in modern restrooms and a small amphitheater,” said Frank Ricco, the park board president.

In other matters, it was reported that the park maintenance building has been broken into three times in recent weeks. A string trimmer, chain saw, pressure washer, cases of oil, paper towels and toilet paper, a hose, a rake, a gas can, hammers, wrenches and a five-pound spool of trimmer line were stolen. Items may also have been taken from the concession stand, but an inventory was not available.

Park employees were instructed to notify police immediately if there are any more problems at the park. It was several days before officials were made aware of the recent break-ins.

The board voted to allow the Lightning Valley Village to hold a Native American festival in the area of the Hillman, Commissioners and Brownsville pavilions Aug. 15, 16 and 17. Due to the anticipated construction of the ATV track, the group is unable to hold the event at the Luzerne pavilion, as it did last year. Ricco said that if Lightning Valley Village wants to hold future events at the park, the area around Redstone pavilion could be fixed up for their use. The group has expressed an interest in working on the Redstone pavilion area to develop features needed for the festival.

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