Frankling revisits pond revitalization, walking tracks

FRANKIN — Get your walking shoes ready, Franklin.

The much-discussed Franklin pond area revitalization project finally took shape — or shapes — at the oct. 14 Borough Council meeting.

Borough Engineer Tom Knutelsky volunteered his time to unveil his preliminary plans for three separate walking loops around the pond. A pond loop, field loop and park loop. Each roughly one-half mile in length, the outside of each loop will connect to make one master loop of more than three-quarters of a mile.

While material for the project is still in question, Knutelsky estimated the high-end project cost to be about $75,000. The current design calls for about 3,800 feet of pavement at $15 per linear foot and 2,100 feet of quarry-processed gravel at about $8.50 per linear foot. The reason for the different materials, Knutelsky added, was divided between maintenance and environmental issues.

“Anything near existing pavement should be paved,” Knutelsky said, advising that a buildup of snow and ice on the quarry process could severely damage the installation. The entire track is unable to be paved, however, because of the Department of Environmental Protection’s regulations for materials used around the pond itself.

“We don’t have a lot of flexibility from a permitting standpoint,” Knutelsky told the council. While the pond adds an element of natural beauty no other park in the area has — making it a “home run” of a spot in Councilman Fred Babcock’s eyes — it also comes with an obligation to keep that beauty intact.

While discussing cost-saving measures, many council members agreed on the elimination of the park loop. Not only would it bring the total project cost down $25,000, it would make for a safer walking area as track users wouldn’t have to spend much time on existing borough roadways and parking lots.

Not to let theoretical money go unused for long, the council discussed other options for the saved cash, including additional police station parking, additional lighting throughout the park and a central boardwalk to further beautify the premises.

Borough Administrator Jim Kilduff weighed in on the project, reminding the council the “importance of prioritization” when it comes to this project. Suggestions included a “phase plan,” which would add the elements of the park one at a time until completion. Kilduff also asked Knutelsky to do some additional brainstorming regarding project materials to try and save some additional money.

Mayor Paul Crowley ended the discussion on the project, saying the council would “bring it back up shortly.”