Help Decide the Future of Newtown's Open Space Improvements

How do you think Newtown Township should spend the $575,000 in open space money available through the county?

That’s the question local leaders would like answered.

Newtown Township Supervisor Jen Dix said $575,000 for open space improvements has been allocated to Newtown by the county through a 2007 referendum. However, she explained, that money will go to waste if a plan on how to spend it is not in place by the end of this year.

About $180,000 of the money allocated to Newtown is being used to construct Noah’s playground in Veteran’s Park off Durham Road.

Dix and the Parks and Recreation board believe the best utilization of the remaining nearly $400,000 may be improvements to the township’s trail system.

Dix encourages all residents to come out to the next Parks and Recreation Board meeting to discuss the issue and provide input on where they’d like to see additional trails in the township.

In order to use the grant money, the township must provide a match. However, Dix explained, there are three significant developments in the pipeline that will bring in required Park and Rec fees. “We can use those monies for the match,” Dix said. “This won’t be a cost to taxpayers.”

The next park and recreation board meeting is Wednesday, May 7 at the township administration building. It is open to the public.

“I would love to hear from people,” Dix said. She added residents can email their input directly to jenniferd@twp.newtown.pa.us.