TimesLeader.com

Abington Township makes historic donation

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@scrantonedition.com
Scranton Edition Staff Writer / Photographer

ABINGTONS- For the first time, the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board (AAJRB) received funds from a township not in their regional partnership agreement. Abington Township, which was not required to donate, recently presented $1,000 to the AARJB.

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Abington Township’s municipal office is located on Lake Henry Drive, Waverly. For more information on the Township, call 586-0111 or email .

Abington Journal Photo/Shelby Fisk

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Bill Risse, chair of the AAJRB, wrote in a letter to Abington Township, “Your township has made history by being the first local municipality to make a discretionary contribution to the Abington Community Park (which the AAJRB maintains).”

“Volunteers help improve the park,” said Risse. “Those who donate really recognize the hard work.”

Bill White, Abington Township’s manager, said that the decision to fund the AARJB took place during a December 8 meeting. “I brought it up to the supervisors at the meeting. We had basically put the budget together and the final approval was on the 8th.”

Risse said, “It says a couple of things about the Abington Township supervisors. It says they see the value of improving the recreation land around them and that speaks volumes. It’s one thing to have an opinion; it’s another to make an investment.”

White said, “They (supervisors) wanted to give to the park because it is a very worthwhile project. What we did was look at the budget and we put together $1,000. We felt it would help them.”

White said he thinks many people in Abington Township use the Abington Community Park and he said, “This is what makes the Abingtons such a nice place to live: all these extra things.”

“It’s ironic because 25 years ago, it was the talk that Abington Township would be one of the partners,” Risse said. Currently Glenburn and South Abington townships and Clarks Green and Clarks Summit boroughs fund the Abington Area Joint Recreation board as partners.

Risse said no businesses or families are required to donate and no other municipalities have funded the AARJB in the past.

“I think this helped put out a welcome mat for other communities,” said Risse. “Even if they don’t think they can be partners, they can donate an amount they can handle. The park was never envisioned as a municipal park; it is a regional park.”

“In this last year, we’ve worked harder and people are seeing more potential in the park since in the ’70s,” Risse said. The park was created in 1972.

Risse said the donation from Abington Township will go toward what he called “permanent improvements” to the park. In 2009, Risse said the AAJRB hopes to look into building a pavilion. Plans also include a playground area.

“I think people are seeing the park differently and it motivates some to action. That’s what was seen here and we hope to see more of it,” Risse said.

For details, visit http://aajrb.com, e-mail board@aajrb.com or call 586-9316.