BLAIR COUNTY PARK. ANDI RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD THURSDAY, OCTOBER: 7, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CONFERENCE ROOM: 2B, 2ND FLOOR, COURTHOUSE  AGENDA  *Public meetings are being held bothi in-person and by conference call. To participate. in the meeting please dial1 1-  408-419-17150 or 1-408-915-6290 and enter meeting number 2468097683#  CALLTO ORDER - President Joel Keller ROLL CALL - Melissa Harpster President. Joel Keller Vice-President Tim Hite Secretary Galen Bickel Member Fred Miller Member Phil Riccio Member Chuck Gojmerac Member Sue Kovensky  Central Blair Recreation Commission Director Mikel Hofer Valley View Park Groundskeeper Dwayne Dittsworth Valley View Park Assistant Groundskeeper Dwayne Cox  Public Works Paul Shaffer Maintenance Jim Pooler Commissioner Amy' Webster Others- OLDI BUSINESS: Motion Motion Sign Replacement.  Approval of Meeting Minutes for the month of September 2021. Acceptance ofTreasurers Report for the month of September 2021.  Second Second  Revised Rules and Regulations - solicitor reviewed and approved.  Status on updated parki map. Other discussion.  Trail Signs. DCNR Grant.  Status on Commissioners approval to rescind the Resolution that approved naming the trails after the  eight-8 PIAA school team mascots. Discussion/updates, etc. Tree Removal/Tree Maintenance. Removal of bridge abutments.  See attached information from Tom Ford. Status update- - Dwayne Dittsworth.    Road resurfacing:  The areas that need tol have the pavement replaced have been marked. Has the required PA one-call been placed for this project?  Items requested for approval consideration byt the Commissioners:  Resolution: 376-2021, dated 09/09/21, approved an allocation of Parka and Recreation Reserve Account #035 Funds for the repair of the parks power washer and the purchase ofas second power  washer for use at the parki in an amount not to exceed $600.00.  General Permit for Valley View Park Streambank stabilization:  Update - has Donna Fisher provided direction on what we can and cannot do?  Valley' View Park ADAI Evaluation: NEWE BUSINESS: Invitation Received:  Trinal has beeni invited to attend thel November or December Park and Recreation meeting.  The Park: and Recreation Advisory Board Members received an invitation to attend a dedication program for the newly constructed Morrison's Cove Gettysburg Memorial, whichi ist tol honor the 70 men from Morrison's Cove who fought at thel Battle of Gettysburg on. July 1-3: 1863. Thej program willl bel held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Morrison's Cove Memorial Park, 201 South Walnut Street, Martinsburg, PA beginning at 1 pm. Phone call reçeived from. Joe Landolfi, Athletic Director Bishop Guilfoyle expressing interest for thes school to use  AYSO Soccer Fields: thes soccer fields in 2022. Valley View Park Issues/Concerns:    BLAIR COUNTY PARK ANDI RECREATION. ADVISORY BOARD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CONFERENCE ROOM 2B, 2ND FLOOR, COURTHOUSE  MEETING MINUTES  *Publici meetings are being held bothi in-person and! by conference call. To participate in the meeting please dial 1-  408-419-17150r1-408-915-6290: and enter meeting number 2468097683#  Meeting Called to Order: President Keller called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Members Present:  Joel Keller, President Tim Hite, Vice-President Galen Bickel, Secretary Chuck Gojmerac Sue Kovensky Members Absent: Fred Miller Phil Riccio Others Present:  Dwayne Dittsworth, Groundskeeper Jim Pooler, Maintenance Amy' Webster, Commissioner  Melissa Harpster, Administrative Office Coordinator Commissioners Office  Old Business: Approval of! Minutes: changes noted. prepared.  President Keller called for corrections or changes to the minutes of August 2021. There were no corrections or  Motion by Timl Hite, seconded by Chuck Gojmerac and unanimously approved to accept the minutes as  Acceptance of Treasurers' Report for ther month of August 2021. President Keller called for the Treasurers' Report. Finance Director Sarah Chuff prepared the report.  Melissa Harpster presented the report for the month of August 2021. Mrs. Harpster stated that Assistant Motion by Chuck Gojmerac, seconded by Tim Hite and unanimously approved to accept the report as  prepared. Sign Replacement:  Melissa Harpster stated that Solicitor Karn reviewed the Rules and Regulations for the park andi requested. several changes. Mrs. Harpster stated that the: solicitors requested changes have been made tot the Rules and Regulations.  Discussion followed.    Joe Keller stated that he would contact Grant Willsi in GISI regarding the need fora an updated park mapi for  placement on ther new: sign. Discussion followed.  Trail Signs: eight PIAAschool mascots. Discussion followed.  Commissioner Webster presented discussion regarding concerns for vandalism of thet trails signs ifnamed after the  Motion by Tim Hite, seconded by Chuck Gojmerac and unanimously: approved tor recommend to the Board  of Commissioners to eliminate the school name from the: signs andj just use thes schools color.  DCNR Grant: DCNR in December.  Joe Keller stated thati itl looks like preliminary design is still ont track for November with anticipated approval by  Discussion followed. Tree Removal/Tree Maintenance: to clarify who can apply them.  Joel Keller stated that he would reach out to Tom Ford to see if he could attend our meeting in November. Mr. Keller stated that Mr. Fords should be able to provide clarification on herbicide use at the park ands should be able Tim Hite! presented discussion concerning the cost oft tree stump removal stating thati ift the county were tor rental a stump grinder the cost would only be approximately $5.00 per stump VS. $80.00 per stump using at tree  removal service. Bridge Removal: abutments. abutments.  Discussion followed.  Joe Keller stated that DEP provided approval fort the county to remove the washed out pedestrian bridge  The board requested that Dwayne Dittsworth, Groundskeeper proceed with removing the! bridge  Items requested for approval consideration byt the Commissioners:  Joe Keller stated that the Commissioners approved Resolution - 2021 approving an expenditure not to exceed $600.00 for stain and the rental ofas sprayer to stain thet two-2 newest pavilions; and] Resolution - 2021 approving ane expenditure not to exceed $5,000.00t to repair ther roadway near the playground area.  NEW BUSINESS: Power-washer:  Dwayne Dittsworth requested that the Board recommend to the Commissioners an allocation of Park: and Recreation Reserve. Account #035 Funds in an amount not to exceed $150.00 to repair the park'scurrent; power washer; and an amount next to exceed $450.001 for the purchase ofa a new power washer for use at the park.  Discussion followed.    Motion by" Tim Hite, seconded by Chuck Gojmerac and unanimously: approved to recommend toi the Commissioners: ana allocation of Park and Recreation Reserve Account #035 Funds, in an amount not to exceed $600.001 fort the repair oft they park's current power washer, and for the purchase of a new power washer for use at  the park.  General Permit for Valley' View Park Streambank Stabilization: Joe Keller stated that the permit was issued last year.  Mr. Keller stated that he would reach out to Donna Fisher at the Conversation District to see ifs she would be able tos stop by the park top provide thel board with some direction on what can and cannot be done.  Discussion followed.  Valley' View Park ADAI Evaluation Summary: Macharola for the boards review.  Melissa Harpster stated that she provided the one-1 page Park ADA Evaluation Summary prepared by Mr.  Mrs. Harpster stated: she wouldi invite Trinal Ilig to an upcoming Park and Recreation Advisory Board  Meeting to provide further discussion on ADA compliance, etc.  Discussion followed.  Adjournment:  With noi further business to discuss, President Keller called for amotion to adjourn the meeting.  Motion by Chuck Gojmerac, seconded by Tim Hite and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting.        6 2 2  - 2  2  00  0o  000 000 000    Penn State Extension  Memorandum  Date: September 21, 2021 To: Ms. Amy Webster Ms. Nicole Hemminger Ms. Melissa Harpster Mr. Joseph Keller Mr. JeffHackenberg Mr. Stan McKee  JA8  From: Thomas G. Ford, Area Commercial Horticulture Educator  Re: Tree Assessment at Valley View Park  At the request ofMr. Joseph Keller, Itook the opportunity to walk the main park area at Valley View in advance of our upcoming meeting (November 4th) to assess the condition ofthe various landscape ornamentals that have been established in the park over the years. While at the park Ih had the opportunity to converse with a member ofthe Valley View Park maintenance staffwho is charged with managing the 45 acres of land that lies within the park borders. I spent close to 4 hours at the park and evaluated the health and/or condition of over 60 trees in the main areas of Succinctly, there are many trees located in the park that are in a serious stage of decline/distress. While there is some insect/disease activity in the park, the major sources of plant injury are linked to abiotic disorders that should have been addressed years ago by professional rbonsts/noricultursts.  the park.  Almost 70% ofthe trees in the main areas of the park are dealing with stem girdling roots. Stem girdling roots can occur naturally, but because ofthe frequency oftheir occurrence at Valley View Is suspect that they were caused primarily by poor landscape installation practices (improper planting) and improper maintenance practices. In some cases, some of the smaller girdling roots that are visible above grade can be removed/excised (with some risk) by a trained arborsVhortculturs.  PENNSTATE 8  F Cooperative Extension College ofAgricultural Sciences    Large girdling roots cannot be excised because their removal may cause the tree to die quickly. *When larger girdling roots are detected, it may be prudent to establish replacement trees prior to authorizing the complete removal of the tree by an  arborist.  The large Scotts pines on the property are short-lived and are being impacted by Tip blight, Pitch Moths, Coniferous Bark Beetles, and Sapsuckers (bird). Scotts pines prefer low pH soils with a useful life of15-20 years. These pine specimens in my opinion should all be removed. The county does not have the equipment, staff, or resources to prophylactically treat these trees each year for the array of pests and diseases that are predisposing them to decline. While Ihave looked at each Scotts pine in this main area, and there are some trees that are in better shape than others, I believe that the prompt removal ofall specimens in these high traffic areas to be the In addition to the stem gridling root issues, the lack ofmulching around most ofthe trees in the park has increased the incidence ofmower blight and string trimmer injury (girdling). Wooden signposts that were set by maintenance staff years ago to accurately name trees in the park have not been moved or relocated as the trees have aged which is resulting in the injury of some specimens via girdling. Once trees Hazardous trees are trees that are diagnosed with specific defects that could make them subject to catastrophic failure during wind and storm events. Ic cannot legally assess hazard trees as a Penn State Extension Educator, but there are a significant number of specimens that require some corrective pruning to eliminate limbs where significant bark inclusions are observed. Most ofthe larger trees on the property need some, judicious pruning or thinning to improve tree health. None of the trees in Trees that show evidence of severe stem girdling roots may be subject to windfall and could pose a threat to people using the park. Hazard trees adjacent to playgrounds and pavilions should be considered for prompt removal ifthey are  best course ofaction for the County at this time.  have become girdled, they will not thrive in the landscape.  Valley View Park should be topped.  viewed as a hazard by an ISA Certified Arborist.  Red maples and at least one red oak tree in the park are suffering from iron and/or manganese deficiency. Soil tests should be taken around these chlorotic specimens sO prescriptive recommendations can be made to lower soil pH and/or increase micronutrient levels. Failure to correct these nutritional/pH issues will result in the  slow decline and death ofthese specimens.    The maintenance staff member pointed to several declining and dying trees near the amphitheater in the park. Some of the trees have declined due to grade changes in the surrounding area. Idid not evaluate the entire park, but the quality ofthe woodlot is poor due to the lack ofmanagement by the County. Woodlands need to be managed by a competent forester and there needs to be some judicious thinning oft the forest via a timber sale (selective cut) or via forest stand improvement. The county should consider bringing in a consultant forester to see ifa timber sale would be cost effective and what revenue it may bring into the county. Ifa timber harvest is done correctly, it could provide the county with some funding to make  improvements at the park.  In respect to current and past tree removal practices, all tops from removed trees should be ground and used as mulching materials around trees or be used to cover paths in the forest to lessen soil erosion. Ifa consultant forester is used, trees with value would be harvested and sold to the highest bidder. Consultant foresters get paid on a commission basis, SO it behooves them to get the highest bids possible for the timber. Trees that are cut with no value. may be used for firewood and or pulp. As per the park employee much of the cut wood is left to decay/rot on the forest floor. The county should be proactive in managing this forest resource. The Valley View Park employee disclosed to me during my review oft the trees adjacent to the amphitheater that there are plans to retrofit and/or replace it soon. While this project has merit, the emerging threat of Spotted Lanternfly in the Blair County area will make this area largely unusable due to the excretion of copious amounts ofhoneydew (sugar) during their feeding activity. The resulting rain of sugar laden excrement from above will discourage park usage in areas where there is considerable tree cover. The sugary laden honeydew will also cover the floor and the steps of the amphitheater and sooty mold will grow on the sugary substrate turning the wood black in color. In order to use this area once the Spotted Lanternfly gets established, the park staff would have to utilize a power washer to clean the honeydew off the wood surfaces almost daily. Ifan amphitheater or stage is to be built it may be prudent to build it out in the open in an area that can be serviced more readily by the modern restroom facilities and the larger parking area in the upper end oft the park. The stage could be protected by a canopy and/or roof to allow for concerts and/or weddings. A minimal amount ofl landscaping can be used around the stage to direct sound and/or beautify the area. The absence of a tree canopy around the stage will allow the area to be used for weddings and concerts even ifthe Joe Keller asked me to assist in developing a maintenance plan for the trees and landscape materials. This task is made more difficult because the county does not  Spotted Lanternfly population explodes as expected.    apparently have anyone in their employment that has the prerequisite knowledge and/or training to effectively maintain and/or manage the plant materials in the park. The county should be employing an arborist/horticulurist that can apply pesticides as needed to the park grounds to control weeds/invasive species, control stinging insects, spray along right of ways, and manage pests and diseases in the landscape when detected. The person charged with managing the park should be carrying a valid Pennsylvania Applicator license in Categories 23 and Category10. The lead maintenance person at Valley View should have some knowledge oflandscape  management practices and tree care.  The next section details my observations/recommendations for the majority oft the trees on site. In walking the site, I started at the upper parking lot and made my way to the lower end ofthe park. A site plan that delineates and inventories each tree should be developed, but in the interim here is a quick written assessment ofmy  findings. Tree Species 1. Japanese Zelkova 2. White fir 3. White pine 4. Japanese Zelkova 5. Washington Hawthorn (3) 6. Birch 7.9 Serviceberry (3) 8. Scotts pine 9. Scotts pine *All 10.Douglas fir (3) 11. Scotts pine 12. Sweetgum 13. Balsam fir 14. Linden  sue'recommendation Girdling roots Removal OK Girdling roots Pruning! thinning Dead wood removal Dead wood removal thinning Girdle (removal) Removal ofall specimens is recommended due to disease/coniferous bark beetles Needle cast disease Removal Removal Girdling root Adelgid - Removal removal Girdling roots Removal Girdling due to signpost Pitch moth Thinning and girdling  Girdling roots = thinning & dead wood Pruning thinning - pests (minor)  15 Honeylocust *multiple 16. Sweet gum 17. White fir 18. Golden rain tree 19. Scotts pine 20.Hedge maples (3)    21.Young red oak 22. Scotts Pine 23. Linden 24. Sweet gum 25. Crimson King maple 26. Chestnut oak 27. Chestnut oak 28. Red oak  Mower blight Pitch moth  Girdling roots - Dead wood - thinning Mower blight- girdling- no mulch Planting depth, vandalism, improper pruning, no mulched circle, candidate for mower blight No mulch mower blight Mower blight, pruning Anthracnose, slime flux, corrective pruning Tip blight - removal Plant bug/mimosa webworm Mower blight, improper planting, stem Mulching, mower blight, girdling Dead wood removal and thinning Mulching and thinning Thinning =J mulching Tar spot (disease) - hazard tree Girdling roots Girdling roots Girdling roots Girdling roots  29. Scotts pine (playground) 30. Honey locust 31. Chinese elm 32. Japanese tree lilacs 33. Redbud *multiple 34. Kousa dogwood 35. Crabapple (2) 36. Maple 37. Zelkova 38. Zelkova 39. Red oak 40. Red oak * multiple 41. Red maples *multiple 42. Red oak 43. Hemlock  girdling  Manganese/iron deficiency (high pH) and planting depth and girdling roots Iron Deficiency (high pH) Remoyal E pathogen or girdling  The final section ofmy report provides a visual record ofmy observations at the park. Itis a separate attachment and can be reviewed independently oft this memorandum. Most horticulturists and/or arborists would concur after looking at the photos that most of the plant materials in the managed areas oft the park are in serious trouble and prompt intervention is needed. Ilook forward to our meeting on November 4th. Ifyou have any questions, please email me at tgf2@psu.edu or call  me at 814-937-1630.    Photographic Record Documenting Plant Issues at Valley View Park--9/21/2021 by Tom Ford, Penn State Extension  Photo 1: Pitch Moth  Photo 2: Pitch Moth    Photo 3: Diplodia Tip blight  Photo 4: Coniferous bark beetle (small holes) and woodpecker damage    Photo 5: Stem Girdling Root Pine  Photo 6: Decline and death of pines due to disease and insects    Photo 7: White Fir--Decline (Aesthetically unpleasing)  Photo 8: Adelgidinjury- Balsam Fir    Photo 9: Improper pruning practices that leads to canker development and/or de-  cay  Photo 10: Post placement causing girdling injury and girdling roots    Photo 11: Tree removal in grove area that can de-stabilize the remaining trees  and make them subject to windfall.  Photo 12: Bark inclusion- Hazard Tree?    Photo 13: Stem girdling roots  Photo 14: Stem girdling roots-Japanese Zelkova    Photo 15: Girdling roots- Red Oak  Photo 16: Black plastic used to limit weeds encourages surface rooting/girdling  roots (Crabapple at entrance)    Photo 17: Iron deficiency in Red Oak (near front entrance) due to elevated soil pH  Photo 18: Iron/Manganese deficiency in maple due to elevated soil pH    Photo 19: Abnormal trunk flare due to subsurface girdling roots (front entrance)  Photo 20: Water line excavation adjacent to hazard tree will expedite tree decline  and death    Photo 21: Hazard tree near lower parking area adjacent to restroom. The severe barki inclusion coupled with its proximity to a parking area justify its immediate  removal  Photo 22: Chinese elm with girdling root and sign post causing additional girdling  issues (xylem tissue is being crushed)    Photo 23: Slime flux on wound to root flare from string trimming/mowing  Photo 24: Glyphosate uptake injury on oak from historic misapplication    Photo 25: Crimson King Red Maple-No mulching predisposes the tree to string  trimmer injury and mower blight  Photo 26: Vandalism to lower limbs of small trees    Photo 27: Improper pruning cuts (stubs) on Crimson King Maple which may facili-  tate canker/disease development  Photo 28: Improper planting/staking of immature red oak    Photo 29: The absence of mulch predisposes the tree to mower blight/ string trimmer injury. Once injured the tree is never going to perform well in the landscape  Photo 30: Newly planted red oak (as seen in Photo 29) with mower blight/string trimmer injury due to the absence of a mulched circle    Photo 31: Improper use of herbicide on park property that can lead to erosion  and soil instability.