Open Space And Trails

Receive $5,000 From Lions Club

By Kendra Bobowick

“We’re so lucky to have this relationship with the [Newtown Lions Club],” said Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold.

In her hand Friday, January 14, was a check for $5,000, donated to her park fund through a foundation of Lions member Gary Tannenbaum’s real estate business Miltan Management. “They’re so dedicated,” she said. “We’re so thankful.”

Lions President Walter Schweikert explained, “Gary was looking for a project for the foundation.”

Ms Mangold had spoken at a Lions meeting in the fall regarding what her department offers, which caught Mr Tannenbaum’s attention.

The Lions contacted Ms Mangold, who wishes to apply the funds to current trail building and planning efforts.

After receiving the check, she said, “It’s nice that something private can help the town. It’s helpful to the town, without impacting the taxpayers.”

The newly established Newtown Trails Committee has finished several projects with the help of volunteers, and is most recently looking at the town’s open space near Point O’ Rocks Road near Dickinson Park.

Mr Schweikert sat with Ms Mangold and Lions Treasurer Kevin Corey Friday, looking over paperwork including preliminary thoughts for passive recreation trails along the Point O’ Rocks parcel. Considering the enhanced space that could be opened for public enjoyment, he said, “We wanted to do something to benefit the town, something useful for residents.” He had been pleased to learn about Ms Mangold’s trail project.

He said, “This fits well with Lions projects.” Already, club members volunteers efforts to maintain the Orchard Hill Nature Center and trails. “We see [this grant to Parks and Rec] as a continuation. We’re excited.”

Calling the grant “generous,” Ms Mangold said, “It should benefit everybody who lives here.”

In a recent letter to the Newtown Lions Club board, Ms Mangold wrote that she would like to use funds to “provide assistance to some of our trails projects and educational goals associated with them.”

The Newtown Trails Committee and Parks and Recreation plan to “form a strong relationship for creating trails for passive recreation areas on these open space parcels.” One of the Land Use Agency’s objectives is to oversee the use and protection of Newtown’s open space.

Along with use for trails development, Ms Mangold imagines that funding could contribute to: knowledge of sustainable trail design, environmental education, natural resources, and other aspects of trail design and maintenance.

In Ms Mangold’s letter to the Lions, she had stated, “There has been emphasis on funding for educational and cultural uses for the trails …it is a future intent to promote access for programming on our trails and open space areas for teachers and camps to actively use our trails for science and social study projects.”

The biggest benefit is bringing together several community organizations, she wrote. Current plans are ongoing to “move the town forward in establishing a network of pedestrian trails and walks.” Also ongoing is the Land Use office’s and Conservation Commission’s effort to mark and post signs on the town’s open spaces.