At the May 14 East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisors approved a recommendation to award a bid for planned Jacksonville Park improvements. In 2025, supervisors voted to proceed with design of the redevelopment of the park.

Part of the plan is to remove the basketball court determined to have an unsafe court surface. The low bidder was Grace Industries, which submitted a bid of $207,577.74. Because of the park’s history, there is a plan to hold a dedication ceremony upon the project completion.

Jacksonville Park, often referred to as the Jacksonville Recreation Park, is a neighborhood park located on Jacksonville Road. Jacksonville is a rural-suburban village within East Allen Township. The park and village share a deep agrarian history in its surrounding fertile farmlands.

Jacksonville traces its roots to the mid-18th century. Originally formed as part of a 23,000-acre tract known as John and Richard Penn’s Manor of Fermor. The region was historically dominated by Pennsylvania Dutch farmers cultivating some of the most fertile limestone soil in Pennsylvania.

Manor of Fermor refers to an occupational surname of medieval English origin around the year 1066 that translates to farmer or tenant for a fixed sum. Historically, it also refers to a tax farmer, a person who was granted the right to collect taxes, tariffs or tithes for the crown or a major landowner. Fermors acted as financial brokers or lessees who managed land and revenue, rather than just physically tilling the soil.

In the early 20th century, with the establishment of large-scale cement operations, the area experienced an increase of housing growth. However, Jacksonville largely maintained its rural charm.

Recognizing the need for localized outdoor recreation, East Allen Township adopted a formal parks, recreation and open space plan in 1990. By 2010, the township drafted and adopted a master plan for Jacksonville Park to outline major improvements.

Currently, Jacksonville Park serves as a community hub for local residents. The park offers baseball, soccer and lacrosse fields. It has a dedicated basketball court, a child’s play park and kiddie playground, an exercise walking path and a community pavilion.

In other business, supervisors approved an updated proposal for the township’s purchase of a tandem axle truck. The total cost of $320,326 has been increased by $3,510.

The board approved allocating money from the township’s general fund for the purpose of recruitment and retention for the East Allen Township Volunteer Fire Department. The department is requesting $13,890 as payments for firefighters who attended fire calls, trainings, meetings and staffing shifts from the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.

In the township treasurer’s report, it was noted that more than 90% of the township’s property taxes have been collected so far.

The supervisors approved the minutes of the April 9 meeting. The board also voted to ratify general fund, escrow fund and fire fund checks totaling $6,959.08.

The next East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 28 at the township municipal building, 5344 Nor-Bath Blvd. This workshop meeting has both in-person and virtual options. Visit eatwp.org to review the meeting’s agenda and to access the meeting virtually.