The ice rink in Hawley's Bingham Park finally saw some use in January. Despite the groundhog not seeing his shadow on Feb. 2, predicting an early spring, one can still hope for more skating this winter. Meanwhile, Hawley Parks & Recreation Commission is talking about butterflies and wildflowers.
Diana George, scoutmaster of Hawley Boy Scout Troop 401, has suggested putting in a butterfly garden, if Hawley Parks & Rec can suggest an appropriate site.
She attended the Commission meeting Jan. 30, stating that the troop is looking for community projects. The scouts already maintain the birdhouses in Bingham and Riverside parks.
No firm decision was made, but Elaine Herzog, Parks & Rec member and borough councilor recommended that the Riverside Dog Park would be a good spot, where people sit and watch their dogs and may enjoy watching the butterflies as well.
Parks & Rec Chairperson/councilor Mike Dougherty, who frequents the dog park with his dog, added that a butterfly garden would attract bees. "Bees and dogs may not mix," he said.
Parks & Rec member/councilor Kevin Hawk favored the dog park for a butterfly garden.
The flood levee separates the dog park from the flood plain fronting the Lackawaxen River. The levee trail is popular with walkers. Dougherty suggested the garden could go on the river side of the levee, and one could look at the butterflies one way, and the dogs the other.
The borough removed the benches that used to be on the levee trail, and there was a question whether the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would allow them to be placed there again. The DEP and Army Corps of Engineers have regulations for what is allowed on a floodplain.
Other park-related items:
The ice skating rink in Bingham Park, set up in November, was finally used in mid-January when the weather was cold enough. Hawley Fire Department filled the rink. Scott Mead, who is the borough public works director as well as fire chief, had reported a tear in the liner but expected once weather allowed water to freeze, the ice would seal it for now. Skaters were seen on the rink for at least a week.
The Hawley Easter Egg Hunt is planned for Saturday, March 23, the day before Palm Sunday, at 11 a.m. at the bandstand in Bingham Park. The borough-sponsored event includes the Easter Bunny, scattered plastic Easter eggs with treats, and prizes. Herzog commented, "The hunt is over in five minutes." The rain date is the following Saturday.
The borough is awaiting finalization of items that need to be resolved with the contractor concerning the 2023 bandstand restoration. In the meantime, nothing has been decided about placement of a proposed wheelchair lift that ARC of Wayne County requested and has offered to fund. Herzog said that an alternative to installing a lift at the bandstand that has been discussed is a separate accessible pavilion. A suggested place would be near the small children's playground, alongside the earthen hump (part of the old canal basin rim).
Parks & Rec discussed how to best designate a pedestrian path alongside Park Place to link with the rest of the park walking trail. Seniors from the Senior Center have made requests for a path.
Richard Briden, Parks & Rec member, said that the 13 community garden beds alongside the Hawley Library need to be gradually replaced. He said they would like to replace one this year as a sample and then do a couple a year.
Herzog, who is also with Downtown Hawley Partnership (DHP), said that the large snowflake ornaments hung on utility poles in town are especially bright this year due to switching to LED lighting. DHP has seen a huge savings in the electrical cost, she said.
Hawk praised Mead for passionately decorating the bandstand for the holidays. Herzog also thanked the Arnold family for their volunteer efforts to help decorate the downtown and for maintaining the privately owned Christmas Star on the ridge overlooking Hawley.
Hawley Parks & Rec meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall, 94 Main Ave
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@tricountyindependent.com or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588..
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