Open space, whether reserved for the preservation of land in the future or for development, is an issue small and large governments on a local level deal with when considering the needs of their communities. Although the sluggish economy has placed such issues on the back burner, for Coplay the matter is important and comes down to land closer to the Lehigh River.

The only available open tract of land is the former General Supply property off Bridge Street, just south of the Coplay-Northampton Bridge. It has seemed as the borough would acquire several acres from General Supply, going as far as making a deposit on the tract, which would keep the lumber and building supply company from selling the property.

On development and completion of a borough comprehensive plan, opposition exists in some quarters of the town to borough council moving ahead with such a purchase, however, the borough decided against the acquisition. There have been many ideas circulating of what the borough would do with the property if it actually bought the tract. These include erecting a building housing the office and sheds where lumber was stored.

Everything from the public works department, equipment, back hoe, road trucks, garbage trucks and the manner in which personnel would relocate from its crowded quarters at borough hall have been discussed. Another suggestion would be to use the land for recreation and possibly a second park. The Ironton Rail-Trail passes through the tract.

Zoned industrial, General Supply or a future buyer would have to seek a variance from the borough's zoning hearing appeals board if a nonindustrial use was to materialize.such as apartments, homes or townhouses.

A question exists about whether there are any grants the borough could seek to obtain ownership of the property. Whitehall Township hopes to receive good news soon on its application to the state for the purchase of the Prydon Farm.

The land where Sammy Balliet Stadium and the Coplay Sports Inc. complex now sits was a borough playground and home to the Coplay High School football teams, born out of the WPA projects completed during the Great Depression.

Many years later the ball field, called Saylor Field, was born, compliments of then Coplay Cement. The World War II grounds were victory gardens for residents living nearby, permitting corn, potatoes and tomatoes.

The last major project involving lands obtained by the borough was in the early 1970s when Coplay Cement came forward and donated 11.5 acres to the borough with a bit of a push for a parkway, which was quickly developed via grants.

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The Coplay Public Library is selling pies. Pick up is Dec. 21, just in time for Christmas! Pick-up is at 3 p.m. unless prior arrangements are made because the pies are frozen.

Orders and money are due by Dec. 14.

To order, visit the library website at www.coplaypubliclibrary.org and go to the Fundraisers tab.

The library is also selling Giant Gift cards and 2013 Entertainment books. Information is available on the website or by calling 610-262-7351.