Radnor Township Parks & Recreation Board Meeting – March 12, 2026

The Parks & Recreation Board met on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Radnorshire Room of the Radnor Township Building. The meeting covered staff reports, updates on park projects, and detailed discussions on the Odorisio Park playground replacement and the Skunk Hollow bridge closure. The board also received an update on the Brookside Avenue sidewalk project funding and the status of the Valley Forge Military Academy property discussions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The board approved the minutes from the January 2026 meeting (corrected for an error) and the February 12, 2026 meeting, both by motion and unanimous consent.

Reports

• Programming Report: Bakir presented a report highlighting new programs, including girls' flag football (in partnership with Skyhawk Sware Valley, following the 2024 PIAA recognition of the sport, now with 151 participating schools). Additional programs discussed: golf tots, baseball tots, mini hoopers (next session starts March 29), pickleball, tennis, Radnor youth basketball (season ending), all-star men's pickup basketball (new session starting March 19), hiking hounds (themed hikes at Willows Trail), fishing camps (sold out), soccer shots (starting March 22, for ages 18 months+), and skateboarding clinic (starts April 19). The Positive Coaching Alliance grant was used to select a one-hour in-person training for Radnor Day Camp staff, along with virtual training by licensed clinical therapist Cherry Willis. The fishing camp and wizarding camp (three weeks, sold out at 35 kids per session) are fully booked. The Wheels of Wayne event on April 26 has 71 vehicles registered and is expected to draw thousands.
• Staff Recognition: Tammy recognized Bakir for his work on summer camp logistics, Tracy Kroom for wizarding camp and Wheels of Wayne, Natalie for program coordination and the trip to Wicked (in partnership with Tredyffrin/Easttown Township), and Christina Rios for field scheduling. Also recognized Bob Mikolus for creating Radnor Youth Basketball and for donating a stained-glass Radnor Township seal installed in the building.
• Skunk Hollow Bridge and Temporary Access: Tammy reported that the Skunk Hollow bridge (a culvert) has significant undermining and cracked wing walls, requiring a temporary access road from the Willows exit near the pond. The temporary road will use grass-friendly porous sheets and will be operational within weeks. The long-term bridge replacement may take 2-3 years due to DEP and Fish & Boat Commission permitting. The township is exploring both rebuilding the existing access and creating a new, safer access off Darby-Paoli Road. The board discussed the timeline and the need for stormwater funding.
• Fenimore Woods Park Renovation Update: Tammy showed progress photos: the building is now airtight with roofing complete; windows will be installed by mid-next week, electrical rough-ins inspected, and doors delivered. The project is on schedule. The contractor is David Davis Construction (multi-prime contract: general, plumbing, electrical). The pavilion concrete work will resume on Monday; the pavilion may be ready by summer. The parking lot renovation will follow stable completion. The pond remains on hold pending funding.
• Shade Tree Committee: The spring tree planting is scheduled for April 18, with continued planting at the Willows in the My Waukee Forest area. The trout derby also takes place that weekend (sold out; waitlist available).
• Board of Commissioners Update: Howard reported no new items from the commissioners.
• Trail Updates: A board member reported that the TAP extension trail (behind Cornerstone) has had metal “no trespassing” signs bent and stickers applied, and fence posts are damaged. The West Wayne Preserve trail is busy, but protective tree tubes are down (contractor working on repair). The main Radnor Trail parking lot has an apparently abandoned car (not on township property; township working with the owner on fencing and demarcation).

Discussion Items

• Odorisio Park Playground Preliminary Concept Plan (Continued): Tammy led a discussion on playground design after the board recommended the comprehensive concept plan to the Board of Commissioners in February 2026. The playground area is roughly 3,000 sq ft, with potential to expand. The project will require stormwater management due to runoff issues (existing erosion on baseball field). The township has a Delco Greenways grant of $100,000, with ~$35,000 spent on concept design and ~$20,000 on survey fees. Next steps: engage the public (zoom or in-person meeting within 1-2 months), develop a schematic design, and address stormwater – possibly connecting to West Wayne Avenue inlets (which could be funded through the stormwater fund). Tammy presented various playground ideas (nature-based, inclusive, fitness equipment, shade structures, communication boards) but emphasized these are concepts only. The board discussed the need for stormwater management as a core part of the project, with the possibility of rain gardens or underground basins. The project will be subject to stormwater ordinances. The playground equipment could be purchased through cooperative pricing (e.g., Landscape Structures, Playworld, GameTime) to save costs. The timeline for the overall project is uncertain, but the playground design and public engagement will progress in the coming months.
• Brookside Avenue Sidewalk to Radnor Trail Connection Project: Howard and Tammy provided an update. The Board of Commissioners on March 9, 2026 authorized a budget amendment to transfer $250,000 (plus interest) previously donated by Penn Medicine for Veterans Park improvements to the Capital Improvement Fund for this project. The Penn Medicine donation was originally intended for a veterans memorial project at Veterans Park, but the American Legion could not financially commit. The township manager and finance director obtained Penn Medicine’s approval for the reallocation. The project will now move to an RFP for design. A board member requested the item remain on the agenda for updates. The item was originally brought by Commissioner Agnew.
• Valley Forge Military Academy Update: Howard reported that Valley Forge has agreed to the township’s terms for a five-year right of first refusal on the property, and has agreed to cut off communications with other parties. The ordinance of eminent domain was tabled at the March 9 Board of Commissioners meeting. Tammy added that a formal agreement is expected on the March 23 commissioners’ agenda, which will allow continued discussions on possible land use (e.g., open space preservation). The township’s goal is to prevent development; the neighbors are fatigued by development. The 33 acres acquired by Eastern University (former Valley Forge field) is not in Radnor Township and has no community use currently.
• Radnor Trail Extension: A board member asked about $1.7 million in state funding cited in a newsletter. Tammy explained the trail extension has been in design for years, with a plan to go under Radnor-Chester Road. The funding is being pursued but not yet in hand. Soils mitigation and hazardous materials evaluation are ongoing.
• Parks & Recreation Board Member Park Steward Program: The board deferred finalizing selections until the new board member (Jay Jr., anticipated appointment by commissioners on March 23, starting April 9) can be included. They will exchange preferences via email.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Both January and February 2026 minutes approved unanimously.
• Skunk Hollow Temporary Access: The township will create a temporary grass roadway from the Willows exit within weeks; long-term bridge replacement will take 2-3 years.
• Fenimore Woods: Construction on schedule; pavilion concrete work to resume; building expected to be complete by summer 2026.
• Odorisio Park: Next steps: public engagement (Zoom/meeting in April-May) and schematic design to address stormwater. Playground equipment to be sourced via cooperative purchasing. Board expressed support for inclusive and natural features.
• Brookside Avenue Sidewalk Project: $250,000 transferred from Penn Medicine donation; RFP for design to be issued. Board will continue to receive updates.
• Valley Forge Military Academy: Eminent domain tabled; right of first refusal agreement expected on March 23 commissioners’ agenda.
• Trail and Park Maintenance: West Wayne Preserve tree tubes to be repaired by contractor; Radnor Trail parking lot abandoned car issue being addressed with property owner; TAP trail vandalism reported.
• New Board Member: Jay Jr. expected to join the board on April 9, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.