Franklin to add paths in park around pond

FRANKLIN — The Franklin Borough Council will vote on whether to complete a survey for the area around the Franklin Pond, here Borough Engineer Thomas Knutelsky presented a plan to install walking and jogging paths.

The plan calls for three interconnecting path loops around the lake, field and surrounding the park. ach loop would be constructed to be 6 feet wide for easier two-way traffic and all are over 2,000 feet long.

All pathways will be pedestrian-only thoroughfares. Motorized vehicles will be prohibited.

The estimated cost for the project is in the $50,000 to $60,000 range, depending on survey and paving expenses. It is estimated that the pond loop could be up to $30,000 and the field loop in the area of $20,000. Should the council decide to complete a survey it could be an additional cost.

Borough officials are considering whether to complete the project in one or two phases and it is still to be determined whether to pave all the loops. The plan only has a third of the paths paved, with the remainder being made of compacted gravel.

According to Knutelsky, “gravel paths would require yearly replacement of compacted gravel and paved paths are easier maintenance.”

However, the initial plans call for gravel paths along the pond connecting both pedestrian bridges and around the backstop of the baseball field, with paved paths along Franklin Avenue. A new guardrail is expected to be constructed along Franklin Avenue.

The yearly maintenance cost for the gravel has been estimated at $3,700 and have been incorporated into current DPW maintenance costs.

“If we can pave this,” stated Knutelsky, “That would be the way to go.”