Sliding in Van Buskirk/Haney Park

Kids in Ross Township will soon have their very own playground to swing and slide in.

Several members of the Ross Toss Park Committee, volunteers and Bernie Kozen, executive director of the West End Park and Open Space Commission, got together on Saturday to install another piece of playground equipment at the VanBuskirk/Haney Park, located next to the Ross Township municipal building on Anchorage Road in Saylorsburg.

There are now six pieces of playground equipment, all paid for by Ross Township.

Howard Beers, Ross Township supervisor, said that about $32,000 was spent for the equipment and a person to supervise volunteers to put the equipment together.

Stones and mulch will be added in the spring. The whole project should cost a little over $40,000.

The township bought the property from Jean (VanBuskirk) and Jim Haney of Saylorsburg to be specifically used as a recreation park for the township.

"We bought the property and put in the playground so that our kids in Ross Township has someplace to go instead of having to go to Chestnuthill's park or Wind Gap. Now our kids have their own place to play," said Beers.

He added that there is also a walking trail, which will be expanded in the near future.

"We're also looking to put in an all-purpose field next spring where the kids can play football, soccer and whatever. We have a pavilion with picnic tables but plan to put up another enclosed pavilion," he added.

Judy Breidinger, Chairman of the Ross Township Park Committee, said they were very fortunate to have dedicated members to help put the equipment together and said that people are already taking advantage of the walking trail and pavilion.