Young Cora Schafer joined her father Darryl on the recent walk-around by the Northwestern Recreation Comission and Northwestern Youth Athletic Association.

Each year, they check on problem areas before the new sports seasons begin.

The bleachers, ordered last year, are set up. On each is a sign showing they were purchased through a grant from Nestlé Waters North America.

Members discussed when and for what the fields need to be tested as far as fertilizer and lime applications.

Lynn Township representative Justin Smith said he would send someone out to check the fields. The objective is to keep the grass growing even with hard use.

Chairman Don Link, said that would be a good item to place on the rhythm list so members of future boards would know what to do and when to do it.

He said there is $6,000 budgeted for lawn care. If that amount has to be increased, it will be discussed at a monthly meeting.

Grass is growing into the walking path but it will be worn clear when people start using it again with better weather.

"That's a tripper," said Steve Bachman, Heidelberg representative, as he pointed to a groundhog holes.

Members discussed capping what was planned as a barbecue pit at the pavilion.

People have been burning wood in it, though it has never worked out for its planned purpose even though well built.

Those who use the pavilion have access to the nearby toilets.

The pear trees that broke during the winter storms are piled across the creek, which is not a creek but merely a site that collects run off. Arrangements have been made to have them removed.

Grass is growing better on that side of the creek but the field is not even in places. Smith recommended using sand for leveling.

The pile of dirt has expanded but no one knows where the shale part that is spreading out came from. Link suggested getting the new dirt consolidated with that which had been there.

The open area that had once been planned as an ice skating field is under an acre but members of NYAA said it would definitely be used for soccer and/or lacrosse, if fixed as a sports field.

Bachman said they could use the topsoil, shale soil and mulch to make a base, with possibly some mushroom soil.

Schafer said it is a solid stone base to build on. If a cover crop is planted, it should be usable in a year.

There has been no summer basketball tournaments recently. The cracks in the court remain even though they have been fixed several times.

Smith said they have to find out what the surface is before it can be properly fixed or possibly one of the townships can use crack seal as they do on the roads.

A lip around the baseball fields develops even with careful dragging and has to be cleared each year. David Laudenslager said his brother-in-law cares for the fields at Kutztown University and recommends a sod cutter to remove the sod, removal of some soil underneath and then replacement of the sod.

Field 5 still has a drainage problem but a swale to help would have to go across the field, an impossibility. Smith suggested underground pipes. He asked if it is bad enough to do something or to repair the lip yearly.

LeRoy Sorensen said a little ridge holds the water and a different pattern of dragging may be helpful.

Although a major swale was placed at field 2, some water still runs on the field.

The softball fields each have a sign reading, "Girls Win When They are Having Fun."

Adults in the program point to it when parents or friends get upset about something that goes on in the game.

On softball field 1, the backstop has been painted but needs work again. Link said painting them is hard work. There is already graffiti on the new bleachers.

Schafer pointed to one lonesome swing and said it still needs sand. The dugouts still need roofs and landscaping.

Members stopped to look at the new Kubota tractor, purchased last fall.

No one is aware of much use at the skateboard site. There was discussion about possible alternate uses. This was also discussed before approval was given because of the possibility that use would end.

The last stop was to see if the lights are still available in the potato barn. Fourteen are on the upper level. Heidelberg Township, which rents the building, asked for lighting and some of them will be installed.