Luzerne County Government

January 21, 2010

Emotional appeals to save park

Woman whose kin camps there, leader of R/C Flyers would miss Moon Lake.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Pringle resident Carol West broke down at the Luzerne County Commissioner meeting podium Wednesday over plans to close Moon Lake Park.

West said she and her family – dogs included – regularly camp at the Plymouth Township facility because they can’t afford vacations.

“I love Moon Lake. I’m very upset about this,” West said. “I had to explain to my daughter this weekend why they’re closing her park down.”

Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla reiterated that the county is slated to raise taxes 10 percent and must cut all services deemed non-essential. The county will still be paying off debt, at a rate of $25 million per year, when West’s daughter is an adult, Petrilla said.

“Maybe her children will be paying for it too if we don’t stop the bleeding,” Petrilla said.

The county’s 2010 budget raises taxes 10 percent and eliminates funding for Moon Lake Park and the Forty Fort recreation complex. Employees that oversee both facilities will stop working for the county Jan. 29.

Noting that she is a taxpayer, West urged commissioners to explore natural gas drilling or leasing land for windmills at the park to generate revenue to operate the facility.

“We are exploring those options,” Petrilla said.

Jackson Township property owner Ed Chesnovitch asked why the county doesn’t turn over the facility to the state. Petrilla said commissioners already tried that, and the state wasn’t interested.

Representatives of the Wyoming Valley R/C Flyers also appeared at Wednesday’s meeting to try to convince commissioners to reconsider. The 73-member club flies radio-control planes at the park.

Club President Ed Kubasti told commissioners the club obtained approval from commissioners years ago to use the park. They built a pavilion and provided tons of crushed rock for the roadway, he said.

Members regularly work with youth groups at the park, including children from Make-A-Wish, he said.

If necessary, the club will pay the county a fee to continue using the facility, he said.

Petrilla said the county will set up a meeting to discuss that possibility.

Commissioners have publicly advertised for entities interested in running the park at no cost to the county. Responses are due today, and Petrilla said there has been “a lot of interest.”

The commissioners also voted Wednesday to seek proposals from outside entities to run the county’s recreation complex in Forty Fort.

“It’s imperative that we find a good balance between raising taxes and cutting those services that are precious to many of you,” Petrilla said. “We are doing everything we can to keep those recreation facilities open.”

If proposals don’t materialize, commissioners intend to revisit opening Moon Lake when the county gets on solid footing financially.

West said closure will make that difficult because she predicts the park will attract vandals and underage drinkers who will cause damage.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.

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