Parks and Rec Committee Discusses New Township Gift Guide

Last night’s Parks and Recreation Committee discussed revisions to the township’s gift guide policy.

According to Pat Stasio, director of the township’s Parks and Recreation department, the gift guide is an opportunity for someone to make a donation to Upper Moreland in remembrance of someone or for any other reason. Gifts that might  be most familiar to residents are the placards placed on township park benches bearing the names of passed loved ones.

The gifts made to the township are tax-deductable and may be turned into a range of items found or yet-to-be found in the township’s 19 parks; from a memorial tree to play equipment.

The recommended revisions come from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Council. Stasio said, one of the major changes to the guide would be the incorporation of maintenance and care of the gift made to the township.  

The recommended revised guide also includes a expiration caveat of gifts and recognitions after 25 years from the date of the gift. During this time period, the township will assume responsibility of  any repairs needed to the item.

The recommended revised gift guide also explains that donations totaling the desired item are not necessary, and that partial donations are accepted.

The other major difference is the gift guide’s pricing outline.

In the previous outline, a $25-249 donation would purchase plantings of shrubs, flowers and other smaller items in various township parks. The revised guide prices such donations as gifts $750 and under.

Gifts to the township exceeding $750, through the recommended revised guide, would allow the donor to plant a small shade tree, park bench, picnic table and other small miscellaneous items. The cost of the selected item and its accompanying memorial plaque are then extra, as the donated amount would go toward the item’s maintenance. In this option, the donor is allowed to choose the park in which the item is placed, pending the director’s approval.

The most expensive gifts may exceed $3,000, again, not including the price of the item and plaque, and would be used for major purchases by the Parks and Recreation Department. According to the discussed revised guide, such items include play structures and landscaping projects.

The revised gift guide is set for further discussion at next month’s committee meeting.

For more information,  contact the 's Parks and Recreation Department at 215-659-3100, Ext. 1049.