A Fallsington landscaping firm will fill in the final details as a community vision for a park in Falls Township becomes reality.
The township supervisors Thursday night awarded a $13,800 contract to Mark W. Shablin Landscape Designs, the lowest of four bidders to put the finishing touches of green on Vermilion Park.
In an interview, Shablin described what the township wants his firm to do at the 36-acre park in the Vermilion Hills section.
The landscapers will build up a grassy berm as a buffer between the playground area and the homes across from the park on Vermont Street. Flowering kwanzan cherry trees and pin oaks will be planted along the berm, he said.
Plans also call for 10 benches to be spaced around the play area, a wooden gate to be built at the park entrance and a variety of shrubs to be planted throughout the park.
"The plans were fully developed by the community and members of the township's park and recreation board," said township engineer Daniel S. Winokur. "This is the last leg in the two-year project."
The park has been there for 30 years, but equipment had fallen into disrepair or had disappeared. The park was badly in need of a face lift.
"Local residents generated the ideas of what they wanted their park to have," Winokur said. "The neighborhood kids even drew pictures of their
plans, and from brochures chose the playground equipment. We just put it all together for them." Cost of the renovation is projected at $58,800.
Most of the other work has been finished, including the building of a tot lot complete with swings and climbing ropes. The basketball court has been repaved and new backboards have been installed. Also a new parking lot has been prepared.
The landscaping is scheduled to be completed before the rededication ceremonies this fall. In honor of the township's first police chief, the park will be renamed the Franklin Kirby Memorial Park.
