HUNLOCK CREEK MUNICIPAL PARK - MASTER SITE PLAN

Hunlock Township wanted to redevelop existing Recreational Fields located off Township Route 481, on Sunset Lake Road in Hunlock Township, Luzerne County. The existing site is adjacent to a Northwest Area School District Elementary School is a 18.5 acre site. Currently the park holds two baseball fields and the footprint of another field. There are also a few structures in fair to poor condition, which include a small pavilion, storage building and a concession stand. The development of the Master Site Plan responded to the community’s needs established during an in-depth planning process. Since this is only one of two parks within the township, the other being the Susquehanna riverfront boat launch and park, the new park will offer recreational activities that are lacking to the greater Hunlock Township community. The design offers the full development potential of the site while minimizing environmental impacts and protecting desirable open spaces. The developed portion of the parcel is concentrated on those areas most suitable for recreational development, such as upland areas or areas with well-drained soils. The mostly undeveloped minimal disruption portion includes such ecologically or culturally-rich areas as wetlands, forest land, riparian zones (vegetated waterway buffers), wildlife habitat, and scenic view sheds  where fitness trails, environmental education nodes and vista opportunities may be created. During the community participation process a survey was randomly distributed to fourteen percent (14%) of households with a thirty-three percent (33%) response.  Eighty-two percent (82%) of survey respondents indicated they would begin to use or increase usage of the recreation facilities if improvements are made.  Fifty-five percent (55%) of these same respondents indicated that they currently use the facility at some level.