Wayne recreational plan for county farm

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - Wayne County has a 190-acre stretch of land called the county farm that is only partially utilized. That’s going to change very soon.

The county commissioners presented an extensive recreational master plan, which Mike Wood of Woodland Designs and a steering committee have been working on since 2007.

Wood made a presentation of the plan at the commissioners’ meeting on April 21.

The property currently houses the recycling center, the county radio tower and will eventually house the Emergency Operation/911 Center. The plan calls for the addition of two soccer fields, a baseball field, a pavilion for conservation workshops, basketball, tennis and volley ball courts, a picnic area, playground, two holes of pitch-and-putt golf, several parking areas and several trails for hiking and cross-country skiing?one long one circumventing the entire property.

One section of the property is already being used for soccer games. The recreational areas will take up about one third of the property, Wood said.

Three other wooded and wetland sections may serve non-recreational uses in the future, he said. The county conservation district will investigate the possibility of growing switch grass on certain fields so that people interested in this new technology can learn more about it, said commissioner chairman Brian Smith.

“The trails could be used for educational purposes like providing horticulture information about local trees and plants,” Smith said. “We hope to make this more than just a pleasant place to walk and play.”

The county must develop such a plan as this if it wants funding, Smith said. The county obtained a matching grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for Wood’s consultation work. DCNR is expected to be the principal source for funding.

“We had an extensive input from county residents and representatives of sports and recreational organizations in the county in forming this plan,” Wood said.

Any grants from numerous sources will be matching grants with the county paying for 50 percent of costs. Wood estimates that the cost will be around $30,000 with the county’s share being $15,000. The county’s portion will come from the general fund.

The commissioners expect DCNR to approve the grant application in a few weeks.

The facility will be monitored and managed by the county’s parks and recreation department, Smith said.

When operational, any group wishing to use the facility should contact the county clerk’s office at 570/253- 5970.