Digital Newsletter
September Edition

BOROUGH RECEIVES GRANT FOR ACORN PARK IMIPROVEMENTS

On September 7, the Borough received formal notification of a PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant in the amount of $662,328 for upgrades to Acorn Park. The upgrades will include formal trails for hiking and biking throughout the park, bridges over Little Sewickley Creek, observation decks and benches along the trail route, an outdoor classroom, a bicycle pump track to replace the existing asphalt court, a new ADA accessible playground to replace the existing playground, improved parking, and a rain garden to control stormwater. In addition, educational signage will be placed throughout the park to identify flora and fauna of specific interest. Work should begin early in 2023, with completion to occur by; the end of 2024. The borough must provide a 100% match to the grant, through cash and in-kind services.

FRANKLIN PARK/OHIO TOWNSHIP
JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The next public input meetings for the Franklin Park/Ohio Township Joint Comprehensive Plan will be held on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:30 PM at the Ohio Township Nature Center on Nicholson Road and Monday, September 26 at the Activity Center in Blueberry Hill Park.

Corrugated Cardboard Recycling

In the near future, the six cardboard recycling dumpsters will be replaced with two roll off containers. These containers provide access on both sides with three access windows with sliding door. All cardboard must be broken down before being placed in the container. The containers are for corrugated cardboard only. Trash, plastic bags or any other type of recycling is prohibited. This area is under video surveillance. Violators will be prosecuted.

New Leaf Bag Drop Off Location

Please note that the location for leaf bag drop off in Blueberry Hill Park has changed, and you may no longer drop off leaf bags in the main Yard Waste Drop Off site. Effective immediately, all leaf bags must be placed in the new Leaf Bag Drop Off site, which is located further down Blaine's Way, between the Yard Waste Drop Off site and McDevitt Road. The Yard Waste Drop Off site should only be used for brush/tree trimmings and weed/greens.

Permits are still required, although it is only necessary to obtain one Yard Waste Permit per year to access both drop off sites. All leaves must be placed in brown biodegradable bags. No exceptions. This area is under video surveillance and is subject to permit checks by Borough personnel. To view more information, go to the Yard Waste Drop Off Site page on our website.

The Borough encourages residents to utilize the April and November curbside brush chipping and leaf collections. Dates are published on our website, in the monthly digital newsletter and, the Spring and Fall newsletters. Dates are subject to change.

Thanksgiving on Every Table

For the sixth year, the Borough will team up with North Hills Community Outreach to serve as a drop-off location for Thanksgiving on Every Table.

Donations will be accepted in the Municipal Building General Office:
October 17th - November 3rd, from 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Please consider donating any of these items to help a family that may be in need this year!

$20 grocery store gift card Can of “easy” pumpkin pie mix

Large box of stuffing mix Can of evaporated milk

Large box of instant mashed potatoes Muffin mix (especially corn)

Can of cranberry sauce Turkey gravy mix

Cans of vegetables Pie crust mix
Reuseable shopping bags

HALLOWEEN PARTY

The Annual Halloween Costume Party is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Blueberry Hill Park Activity Center. Check our website and Facebook (Franklin Park—Parks and Rec) page for more details. Limited capacity. Register online.

EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION.

OLD ORCHARD PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS

Please be reminded that play at the Old Orchard court requires the use of the Gamma quiet pickleball. There are balls available for your use at the court, and you can purchase balls (2 for $5) at the Borough office and the Clover Hill Golf Course.

Automatic Door Openers Installed at Main Entrance

Automatic door openers have been installed at the main entrance of the Municipal Building for visitors that need assistance entering and exiting the building. There are also handicap parking spaces in the small lot entering from Lenora Drive for those who have the proper handicap permit.

Properly Identify Your Home Address

Borough Code chapter 159 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) for property maintenance. IPMC section 304, Exterior Structure, subsection 304.3 Premises identification requires all building to have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property. The numbers must contrast with their background, be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters, and not be less than 4 inches in height with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inches. These numbers are often placed near the front entrance or over front facing garage doors. Please make sure your building numbers are in good condition and are not obscured by trees, shrubs, decorations, etc.

In addition it is recommended, if you have a mailbox in front of your property, to identify your building number on BOTH SIDES of your mailbox with contrasting reflective numbers and letters. Numbers at least 2 inches in height are recommended. Such numbering is plainly visible to Police, Fire, and EMS when approaching from both directions without need to take their eyes off the road to search elsewhere on the property. Reflective numbers on mailboxes are often readable even the worst weather conditions because they will reflect headlights and emergency strobe lights of the approaching emergency vehicle catching the drivers attention.

FRANKLIN PARK IS TURNING 200!

In 2023, the Borough of Franklin Park will celebrate it’s 200th birthday. Over the coming months, staff and volunteers will be working on events and programs to highlight the history of the Borough and its residents. If you have an idea, story, or picture that you would like to share, please feel free to reach out to us at email@franklinparkborough.us with BICENTENNIAL in the subject line.

STREAM SMARTS PROGRAM THROUGH PENN STATE EXTENSION

Please consider signing up for the Stream Smarts program being offered through Penn State Extension. The program consists of 4 classroom sessions and 2 hands on workshops covering how stormwater impacts our environment and steps that we can all take to help alleviate the effects of heavy rain events. The first session will take place on Thursday, September 22 at the Borough building and via zoom at 6:30 PM, and registration is only $10 for the complete program. You can find more information by visiting the Borough website, www.franklinparkborough.us, and clicking on the NEWS tab.

Monthly Meeting Schedule

All monthly meetings are open to the public and are either in-person, virtual or both. The link needed to attend a virtual meeting can be found on the meeting agenda on the Agenda & Minutes page or on the monthly Calendar on our website. This newsletter is published on or about the 15th of each month. Therefore, the meeting dates provided below will be from the 15th of this month through the 15th of next month. All meetings are subject to change, and residents are advised to check our website for latest updates.

Planning Commission - Tuesday, September 20 @ 8:00 pm

Borough Council Regular Meeting - Wednesday, September 21 @ 8:00 pm

Recreation Board - Tuesday, September 27 @ 7:00 pm

Environmental Advisory Council - Monday, October 3 @ 7:30 pm

Borough Council Work Session - Wednesday, October 5 @ 7:00 pm

Technology Advisory Committee - Thursday, October 6 @ 7:00 pm

Zoning Hearing Board - Thursday, October 13 @ 7:30 pm

Digital NewsletterSeptember Edition