Grants for park remain unused

Luzerne County has $150,000 in two state grants to make upgrades at Moon Lake Park.

But don’t expect work to begin anytime soon to renovate and reopen the park for all its activities because a portion of this money, which was received more than two years ago, has been left unused that entire time.

The grants from state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which were awarded in December 2007 and November 2008, were supposed to be used to renovate and prepare a 10-year master site development plan for the park.

Former Park Director Clif Madrack said the county actually has $300,000 to make improvements to the park because these grants were awarded based on a 50-50 match requiring the county to also contribute $150,000. He said the county set money aside from bond revenue.

Madrack explained that renovation plans included installing electricity at some more campgrounds, replace the rusting fencing around the pool, resurfacing the severely cracked paved asphalt basketball and tennis courts, building a new concession stand, making camp sites comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, replacing rotten wood signs throughout the park and landscaping to improve the aesthetics of the park’s entrance.

The master plan would have been a 10-year outline to decide future goals for the park, said Madrack, who spent nearly a decade in charge of the park.

Madrack says the county has not used the money because officials don’t want to provide recreational facilities for county residents.

“I truly believe our county commissioners don’t care bit about recreation. They say it is a nonessential service, but there is plenty of money going to other areas and agencies in the county they don’t have to give money to. They just don’t care. They are not environmentally concerned people. They don’t realize how important recreation is to people,” he said.

Most families can’t afford to take their families on Walt Disney style-vacations because of the economic woes and expensive travel costs, he said. To these families, Moon Lake Park was their vacation destination where a family of five could spend a couple days camping, fishing, swimming and boating for under $100, he said.

Madrack was one of the employees laid off in late January by commissioners when the 648-acre park was closed due to budget cuts. The park was reopened on a limited basis two weeks ago so residents could use it for hiking, biking, fishing and other activities. However people can not camp, swim or go boating.

County Chief Clerk/Manager Doug Pape said in an e-mail the grants are on hold until “a decision is made on Moon Lake” because another company is supposed to submit a proposal.

The county also received two other grants – $25,000 and $50,000 – from the state to prepare master site development plans for Kirby, Nesbitt and the proposed Riverfront Parks and the Seven Tubs Natural Area. The grant for the Seven Tubs area was awarded in December 2007 and the other grant was awarded in November 2008.

So far, none of the grant money has been used, according the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Each grant is valid for three years from the time it is awarded and can be renewed for an additional two years.

So, the county has essentially up to five years to utilize the grants before they would revert to the state.

Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority Executive Director Jim Brozena will be advertising for companies to submit request for proposals for the Kirby, Nesbitt and Riverfront master site development, according to Pape.

He also said the Seven Tubs project is at a standstill because the state expressed an interest in taking ownership of the property, which is in Plains Township and Laurel Run borough off Route 115.

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Luzerne County Government

Plans for the partially closed recreation area are on hold, says the county’s chief clerk.

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