'Pump Park' Plan Meets Opposition In Malvern

MALVERN, PA — Malvern residents are closely eyeing plans for a mountain bike "pump park" to be constructed behind new homes on the edge of Randolph Woods, and some are very upset as the plan moves forward.

Five recently constructed homes adjoin what may become a $200,000 pump park. A resolution to move forward with a proposed plan came before Borough Council on Feb. 2.

The Randolph Woods Nature Preserve Master Site Plan includes the proposed pump park. Borough Engineer Dan Daley said the plan calls for a 50-foot tree buffer is included and the proposed bicycle pump track will not be paved. The plan proposes a sidewalk along the access driveway to Malvern Fire Company. It would also install stormwater management facilities and fencing around the perimeter of the property, Daley said on Feb. 2.

A public petition to "Pump the Brakes on the Pump Park" has been posted for over a week, after a Feb. 2 meeting in which residents gave Malvern Borough officials their feedback on the proposal.

A posting of the petition says 147 have signed on to halt plans for a pump park in Malvern Borough, and while the petition drew some signatures apparently from outside the borough, many signers are residents.

"Your new neighbors of the borough wish for the Malvern Borough Council to eliminate the proposed pump park or to find an alternate location for it to be placed. Please support us in agreeing that the money to be spent on a pump park could be used in other ways," the survey's introduction reads.

Its reasons for wanting to end the pump park plan include the belief that the unsafe location has inadequate parking right by a fire department. They say it could infringe on emergency access.

The petition also says the park's presence will displace wildlife and destroy natural habitats. There will be noise pollution, the petition argues, as well as added responsibilities for police, ongoing maintenance costs, and potential lawsuits.

Perhaps the biggest concern is the park's infringement on surrounding private property.

"Many neighbors have voiced their concerns. The concerns were presented to the council via numerous emails, a Zoom meeting, and the Feb. 2 council meeting. The council has largely ignored these concerns and continued to move forward with their costly proposed plan," the petition stated.

One resident whose home on Ruthland Avenue would border the pump park said hearing about the proposal was jarring. "We'd just purchased this home, we have high taxes, and we didn't know this was going to be built," he said. "We are shocked that the council is not more sensitive to the concerns of people who just bought homes. This isn't an absolute need that we need to sacrifice for the greater good. It has nothing to do with conservation in Randolph Woods plan."

For these residents, the prospect of noise and dirt is not attractive. "We are even considering moving out of the borough. It's been tough," said one resident next to the proposed park area.

Another resident told the borough council in a recent meeting that she is in favor of the park, but at a different location in the borough. She said she is concerned about parking in the area.

Malvern Borough Manager Chris Bashore said the borough is taking time for public comment and is seeking input on the comprehensive plan that is in the works now. Malvern Borough is currently asking residents to answer a survey about the comprehensive plan. The borough's comprehensive plan serves as a community’s vision for the future by providing guidance on the environment, roads, parks, local regulations, and other municipal activities over the next 10 years.

Bashore explained that in 2017 the borough discovered mountain biking in Randolph Woods was causing damage and erosion on trails. He said a task force examined the problem and made recommendations after a year. The pump park was suggested as a way to provide opportunities for older children and adults to engage in outdoor activities.

"We have also been reviewing the age-appropriateness of our recreational offerings. We have playgrounds for younger children, basketball courts for adults and older kids, and baseball and softball fields for little league. We have large open and wooded areas where people of all ages can walk and run. However, we lack a safe place for children in their middle years to explore independently," Bashore said.

He added, "Community support for biking alternatives is very high, and today's toddlers will eventually outgrow the playgrounds and need other safe family options. This project is intended to fill an important gap in the Borough’s recreational portfolio."

The land where the pump park would be located is not part of the Randolph Woods conservation easement, Bashore said. He said the borough began in 2019 to develop the plan as a way to discourage mountain biking on the trails. Throughout 2020 the plan was in the works, with a public review and Bashore said once a plan was created it was up for public review for 45 days.

Bashore said the borough is now seeking grant funding for the park project and that the application is due Feb. 26. Council President Dr. Amy Finkbiner said that a grant could potentially cover up to 50 percent of the proposed construction cost.

Once funding is obtained, bids would be taken for the project, Daley said.

"It is the borough’s hope that this project will become a valuable community asset," said Bashore.

But some of those who signed the petition opposing the pump park think money could be better spent in other ways. Marie Bartling wrote, "I agree with the opposition regarding this petition! There is a beautiful park in Malvern. There is a basketball court and many back streets to ride one’s bike. A pump park sounds like throwing money away when so much good could come from directing $100,000 to much better causes."

Stephanie Prohaska signed the petition and wrote, "Extremely reckless and irresponsible of the borough to use funds for this when they could be helping small businesses and restaurants in the borough. I just moved to the borough in August 2020 and definitely would consider moving away if this is going to be built two blocks from my house. Absolutely disgusted."

Bashore said the Randolph Woods Nature Preserve Master Plan process addressed the entire 43-acre parcel and involved the formation of a large task force, numerous public meetings, a community survey, a 45-day public comment period on the draft plan, and a review at a public meeting of Borough Council.

The possibility of a pump track was first raised on Jan. 22, 2020. Bashore said prior to the Feb. 2 borough council meeting where the pump track project was discussed, "the borough took extensive efforts to communicate this project to those who would be the most significantly impacted."

"This included hand-delivering notifications to residents along Ruthland Avenue and meeting with them. Additionally, members of the Borough Council and the Borough administration held a private meeting with residents to hear their concerns. We have attempted to address those concerns to the greatest extent possible in the planning process," he said.

Not everyone in Malvern opposes the pump park. Resident Cecelia Youngblood Oswald pointed opponents to the borough's overall plan and encouraged them to answer the borough's survey on the comprehensive plan.

"The idea here is interesting and there appears to be a need in the Borough for more biking recreation based on the voices at Borough meetings. However, in my opinion, this proposal should be considered within the context of the larger recreation and open space context," said Oswald.

She encouraged her fellow residents to answer the survey. "The Borough is currently working on its Comprehensive Development Plan, in which the Borough's wants and needs are balanced and an overall plan is created. Borough Residents will be getting a postcard with a link to the survey to complete about the Comp Plan. Answer this survey."

"I know kids are anxious for things to do now, but the Borough has very little open space and owns very little property, so development needs to thoughtfully, within existing zoning and ordinances. Other residents are voicing the need (or) want for a dog park. Would this use be better here? Maybe open space (existing use) is appropriate given the proximity to the fire station? These are the conversations that need to happen, respectfully. I am sharing these thoughts as a 6-yr former member of the Planning Commission and committee member of the last Comp Plan. Planning is the key here," Oswald wrote in a comment on the survey.

In a December borough council meeting, Vice-President Jamie Grossman asked if there would be a potential hazard or issue with the Malvern Fire Company. Malvern Police Chief Louis Marcelli said in the meeting that the Malvern Fire Company already exercises caution when responding, noting that there are a number of people who currently walk in this area.

Bashore said representatives from Borough Council and the Borough administration also met with the leadership of the Malvern Fire Company to discuss this project. "We will continue to engage in communication with them during this project to ensure that this will not impact their service to the community," said Bashore.

Council Member Brendan Phillips in the December council meeting said the Borough contacted other municipalities who constructed similar facilities in recent years, as well as to West Goshen Township to discuss their experience with their skate park. Phillips said that West Goshen Township’s facility has been open for 16 years and it is the borough’s understanding that no injury liability claims have been filed in that time.

Mayor David Burton said he thinks the concern about parking is legitimate and asked if parking limits could be established and the permit parking program be expanded. Bashore said in December that this could be done.

Malvern Borough asks residents to complete this survey on the Comprehensive Plan. A full statement from the borough can be read here.

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