Manheim Township -

ADMINISTRATION

Vision Statement – To continue with innovative and progressive development of staff, parks, facilities and programs.

Mission Statement – To provide to all people quality service through the continued maintenance and development of diversified parks, facilities and programs.

Value Statements – All people are important and should be treated with fairness, respect and honesty. To provide the best possible service for quality leisure service.

This Plan was updated in April, 1998. The Comprehensive Plan Update Team members are Dave Blackman, Jeff Butler, Pete Fogle, Mike Keene, Ray Lee, Darrell Lovelette and Karen Melchionni.

GOALS & OBJECTIVES

Administration Goal – To provide fiscally responsible management and effective utilization of human resources to support all elements of this Plan. Objectives are to:

Provide facilities and services from an operating budget primarily financed by fees and donations.Operate the Parks and Recreation Department based on Total Quality Improvement principles.Provide open lines of communication to all customers.
Provide personnel to meet the service needs, plan goals, and objectives.

Program Goal - To provide a plan for balanced programming and to anticipate future requirements. Objectives are to:

Provide a full complement of programs. Continually survey customers to meet their needs, requirements, and expectations.
Monitor trends for the purpose of forecasting future needs.

Parks Goal - To provide parkland standards for Manheim Township and develop methods for implementation. Objectives are to:

Update parkland standards for Manheim Township. Provide a balance of active, passive and conservation lands.
Establish an acquisition strategy based on the parkland standards.

Greenways Goal - To provide a plan for a greenways system to link parks, schools, and neighborhoods; and preserve natural and environmentally sensitive areas. Objectives are to:

Create scenic preservation greenways system. Create resource conservation greenways system.
Create linear parks and trail greenways system.

Facilities Goal - To provide a plan for existing facilities and to anticipate future requirements. Objectives are to:

Develop a plan for optimizing the use of existing Township Parks and Recreation facilities. Promote cooperation between the Manheim Township Parks and Recreation Department and the Manheim Township School District to provide the best recreational opportunities. Promote cooperation with other public, private, and non-profit agencies to provide recreational opportunities.
Develop a plan to meet future facility needs.

PARKS AND GREENWAYS RECOMMENDATIONS

1.) Continue with the development of a township wide network of non-motorized paths (linear parks and trail greenways) for recreation and transportation uses. The design of these paths should link schools, parks and residential developments and, if possible, tie in with neighboring township pathways.

2.) Acquire land and/or easements to expand linear parks and trail, scenic preservation and resource conservation greenways. Supplemental to the non-motorized paths are greenways that provide vital links in the circulation network of the township. They provide opportunities for various recreational activities, both active and passive. The expansion of greenways can lead to the development of linear parks and preservation of public and private land. Acquisition of the Papermill property is a beginning in the development of the Conestoga River as a recreation alternative for residents. The Conestoga Watershed is a natural heritage to be conserved through direct purchase, land donations, and easements.

3.) Acquire land within the Urban and Village growth boundaries for the development of parks to meet future needs. The northeast corner of the Township (between Neffsville and Oregon) is not within the service area of an existing park. Land should be identified for acquisition for the development of a neighborhood park to address future growth. There is inadequate parkland in the southeastern area of the Township to address both present and future needs of the residents. The Gammache property has been identified as a possible location for a neighborhood park to serve the southeast quandrant. With the proximity of this property to the Conestoga River, the acquisition could provide for the continued expansion of the greenways system, also.

4.) Acquire the Schwartz property. Surrounding the Overlook Golf Course, Township's only regional park, and Overlook Park, a community park, is the Schwartz property. This property is centrally located. The acquisition of this property will enable the Township to increase their acreage for regional and community parkland and eliminate most of the deficiency in these areas through the year 2010. The property will enable the Township to add needed sports fields, to expand the golf course, and serve as an excellent location for a Community Center.

FACILITY RECOMMENDATIONS

1.) Design and construct a Community Center to provide indoor facilities for programs, community activities, and special events. A Community Center is an essential building block in the promotion and maintenance of a strong Township identity. The structure will serve as a meetinghouse for people of all ages and as a cornerstone for community activities. Situated on centrally located land, the Schwartz land, the Center will be easily accessible both by motorized and non-motorized methods. The design will reflect a warm and inviting atmosphere yet remain functional. Active and passive activities will occur throughout the day all year. Current deficiencies in indoor programs, specific uses, and community needs will be met at the Center. An aquatic facility will be designed and built within the new Community Center.

2.) Complete, over the next five years, the projects that are listed in the needs section under facilities.

3.) Construct a year round skating facility. Skating remains popular in the Township. Demand for skating facilities is high. A facility designed to function year round could serve those involved in ice hockey, ice skating teams, family skating, street hockey, in-line skating and skateboarding.

4.) Continue the construction of the linear parks and trail greenways system so parks, schools, and residential developments can be accessed by non-motorized paths. Safe non-motorized passage throughout the Township is a high priority. Greenways and neighborhood parks must continue to grow and feed into the linkage system. It is imperative to continue to create a total Township linkage system. Pedestrians must be able to cross the six major state roads by methods such as pedestrian bridges or tunnels.

5.) Work with school officials to determine exactly which facilities are available to the public, what hours they are available, and work toward utilizing them.

6.) A team needs to be set up to research skateboard facilities and determine if this should be a priority in the Township.

7.) Maintain affordable user fees, without increasing tax revenue, which requires the evaluation of all services for cost effectiveness.

8.) Explore avenues to generate alternative revenue sources through donations, fees, foundations, grants, partnerships and "fund raising" activities. Evaluate the feasibility of hiring or retaining a development director to guide efforts in alternative funding areas.

ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATIONS

1.) Evaluate the staffing within the Recreation Department to determine the need for additional levels of program personnel. To ensure all participants' expectations are met and programs are properly managed, the Recreation Division of the Department should be evaluated to determine adequate staffing levels.

2.) In order to ensure the best design of the Community Center, an Advisory Committee should be formed. This Committee should include residents (of all ages) and Parks and Recreation staff.

3.) The operating budget relies heavily on program and user fees. An effort to continually increase participation in programs and use of facilities is essential to increase revenues. A marketing plan that optimizes participation in Department programs should be developed and implemented.

4.) With the continued expansion of Township services and increases in township employees and facilities, the duties and size of the Custodial Unit may change. To ensure that the level of service provided to all facilities meets expectations, an evaluation should be completed on a regular basis that matches expectations with Unit responsibilities and staffing.

5.) Provide increased funding for staff related education and training opportunities.

6.) Provide services which match user needs and demands which is vital to maintaining, or increasing, use of facilities and participation in programs. To ensure customer satisfaction, develop customers surveys, hire professional shoppers, conduct telephone surveys, have suggestion boxes available, conduct quality audits and hold focus groups.

PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

After evaluating data on current programming:

1.) Expand Performing Arts programs for all age groups.

2.) Expand environmental programs utilizing existing parks and facilities (all ages).

3.) Offer additional youth sport coaches certification courses.

4.) Offer winter sport leagues and/or programs i.e. soccer, baseball, and roller hockey, etc.

5.) Offer a defensive driving course.

6.) Establish a Teen Council to help develop and implement additional teen programs.

7.) Expand arts and craft programs in preschool, elementary and middle school age groups.

8.) Expand fine art classes for all age groups.

9.) Offer weight training classes at the high school fitness center for all ages.

10.) Offer classes in metal work, woodworking, robotics, computers, etc., utilizing existing school facilities for all ages. Offer after school programs for the elementary and middle age students. These programs could include environmental issues, sports, arts and crafts, music and speakers.

PLAN VISION

In the year 2010, the Plan envisions unique and vibrant neighborhoods where residents share a sense of pride and ownership in an active, suburban environment. Individuals enjoy the integrity of a healthy, suburban area where everyone can relax, walk, bike, socialize, celebrate and play. The Parks and Recreation Department, operating within its resources, manages the developed and natural environment so valued by its residents while reflecting the Township’s prosperity and sense of safety and community. Residents fulfill a majority of their leisure time activities at the Community Center. The Community Center offers a variety of recreational programs such as toddler swim lessons, teen dances, live concert performances for adults and educational lectures for Seniors. The Community Center is a key component in the Overlook Complex that serves as a recreational "hub" and promotes a centralized identity for residents. The Overlook Complex consists of the Community Center, the Activities Center/Outdoor Pool and the Overlook Golf Course. Sustainability of the neighborhoods is due to the success of the Township-wide linkage system. The Overlook Complex, as well as schools, parks and neighborhoods are accessed by this linkage system. Using linear parks, greenways, non-motorized paths, hiking trails, open spaces, schools, pedestrian bridges and tunnels, pedestrian friendly streets and parks, the linkage system acts as a transportation "web" for the residents. This web allows daily movement to occur easily by non-motorized methods. Many successful Parks and Recreation programs are available due to a cooperative relationship between the Manheim Township Commissioners, Manheim Township School District, and the Manheim Township Parks and Recreation Department. This positive relationship allows the Township’s Parks and Recreation Department to utilize many of the School District’s unique facilities. For the vision to be realized in Manheim Township, all will need to play an active role. Township residents, Manheim Township Commissioners, Manheim Township School District and businesses must engage in continued commitment and cooperation. The Parks and Recreation Department must provide for the needs of the community to be met by proactive methods of assessment and by updating and expanding facilities and programs accordingly. We all must work to preserve, protect and strengthen our resources. The future livability of our community is driven by the actions that are taken now and each day hereafter.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

2010 Summer

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Part-time positions available for:

OVERLOOK & SKYLINE OUTDOOR POOLS

• Lifeguards •

• Pool Managers •

• Pool Office Attendants •

• Pool Maintenance •

• Snack Bar / Concession Attendants •

• Swim Lesson Instructors & Aides •

OVERLOOK FALLS MINI-GOLF

• Course Attendants •

OVERLOOK DAY CAMP/

SUMMER PLAYGROUND

• Counselor Positions •

• Leader Positions •

(Weekday hours)

APPLY TO:

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP

Recreation Department

Stauffer Mansion, 1241 Lititz Pike

Lancaster, PA 17601-4396

Weekdays, 8 AM to 5 PM

E.O.E.