Walnutport makes changes for recreation

Walnutport has agreed to move in one of its ball field fences to help its growing recreation program.

Brian Filchner, president of the Walnutport Playground Association, told borough council on Thursday that the group had its largest sign-ups ever.

Filchner said 110 girls signed up, which will constitute nine teams.

“That’s the largest we’ve ever had,” Filchner said.

In total, Filchner said there are 125 youth signed up. Of those, 110 are girls, and 15 boys.

“I don’t know why the boys’ teams are down,” he said. “The numbers have dropped drastically.”

Filchner, on behalf of the playground association, asked council if it would be possible to move the fence in on field No. 1 from 275 feet to 200 feet.

“The field that is opposite of that field is too small to accommodate older players,” he said. “That would allow us to put the older teams there.”

Filchner said they currently have two ball fields that are regulation size, and one field that is for T-ball.

“We’ll have three fields where we can put any teams on at any time,” he said.

“And, it will create more open space for the playground.”

Afterward, council on a 5-2 vote agreed to move the fence and scoreboard between fields 1 to 3 in to 200 feet.

Councilmen Michael Gaston and Harold Greene were opposed.