Outdoor reading adventure on trail in the Poconos

Author: Amanda Eustice (WNEP)
Published: 5:07 PM EDT August 15, 2022
Updated: 7:14 PM EDT August 15, 2022

CRESCO, Pa. — If you decide to hike the trail at Barrett Township Community Park at Ice Lake, a story now comes with your visit.

The Barrett Paradise Friendly Library launched Its new "Tale on the Trail" program.

"During the pandemic, we had to shut down, and a lot of our programming was either virtual or outside, so this was something that was come up by, I think a librarian up in Vermont originally did this. We kind of just jumped on board and said, 'Hey, we have to be outside. May as well be outside reading and having fun together,'" Chelsea Corso, a children's librarian at Barrett Paradise Friendly Library, said.

Corso pushed for the outdoor reading adventure.

Right now, the featured book is "Around the Pond: Who's Been Here" by local author Lindsey Barrett George.

"It's about a 12th a 10th of a mile there to the end of the trail and back. It's rocky, but it's definitely OK for a stroller. Young children might need a little help walking, but it's pretty flat," Corso said.

Librarians tested out the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic. It worked so well that they decided to make it a permanent feature in the park.

"It can teach the kids a lot of things, but to appreciate what's going on right around them and to kind of live in the moment and enjoy the trial while they're on the trail, that's our main goal," Corso said. "Just have everybody slow down, take the time to read a book, and walk together.

A family from Staten Island was on vacation, taking a walk around the park.

"They'll know what is in the wildlife they're walking in right at that moment. Like, they'll know, let's just say tadpoles are in the pond that they're looking at right there, and it'll be like educational," Harrison Franzen said.

"They might like learn about the environment, and it can help them with maybe becoming a scientist of something," Emerson Franzen said.

The library hopes to regularly update and feature new books on the trail at Ice Lake.

https://www.facebook.com/BPFLibrary/posts/pfbi....

(source)

PUBLIC NOTICE SPECIAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Barrett Township Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting at the Barrett Township Municipal Building, 993 Route 390, Cresco, Pennsylvania 18326, on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 starting at 8 a.m. for the purpose of discussing zoning amendments, opening bids and awarding a contract for electrical work at the community park, and any taking action on other business that may come before the Board. If any person with a disability wishes to request that special accommodations be made to allow his or her participation, he or she is asked to contact the Township at 570-595-2602, at least one business day in advance to make arrangements. Weitzmann, Weitzmann & Huffman, LLC By: Todd W. Weitzmann, Esquire 700 Monroe Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Barrett Township Solicitors P - July 29

Updated 7/27/20 @ 11:55am
To include architectural drawing and PDF attachment (high-resolution drawing available on page 132 of attached PDF)

Original Post:

PUBLIC NOTICE INVITATION TO BID Barrett Township will receive Bids for one contract for the Community Park at Ice Lake located at SR 0390, Cresco, Pennsylvania 18346. The contract is for the Electrical work associated with the site and utility/bathroom building. Sealed Bids are to be submitted at the offices of Barrett Township, 993 Route 390, Cresco, PA by 4 p.m. (local time) on the 4th day of August, 2020. Bids will be opened at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors at 8 a.m. the 5th day of August, 2020. All construction work is to be included in one (1) Prime Contract for the project. Bids shall be on a lump sum and unit price basis as indicated in the Bid Form. Bidding Documents, including specifications for the work, are available electronically at no cost by contacting D&D Engineering & General Construction, LLC by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contacting Barrett Township at (570) 595-2602 to obtain a hard-copy of the documents at the Barrett Township Building. All Bids must be submitted on forms included in the Bidding Documents. Bidders shall submit Bid Security for their bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders. Bidders Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum wages and salaries in accordance with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act 442 and contained in the Contract Documents, must be paid throughout the duration of the Contract for this project. The successful Bidder for the contract will be required to furnish and pay for a satisfactory Performance, Payment, and Maintenance Bond, in such forms as meets the approval of the Township. The Performance and Payment Bonds are 100% of the contract award price. The Maintenance Bond shall be included within the Performance Bond as 10% of the contract award price. The successful Bidder for the contract will be required to provide proof of required insurance. The successful bidder shall provide a completed verification form evidencing compliance with the Commonwealth Public Works Employment Verification Act. Barrett Township reserves the right to reject any or all Bids for any cause whatsoever, to eliminate any item or items from the contract, and to waive any informalities, irregularities, or technicalities, including typographical errors, in this bid. Bids may be held by the Township for a period of not to exceed sixty days (60) from the date of the opening of Bids for the purpose of reviewing the Bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding of a Contract. This Project is being funded in whole or in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grant. The Contractor must comply with all DCNR requirements listed in the Supplementary Conditions. Barrett Township Supervisors P - July 23, July 26

From the August 28, 2019 Supervisor meeting minutes:

Supervisor May LaBar asked about an update on the Community Park at Ice Lake. It was noted that Solicitor Todd Weitzmann was waiting on the Easement Agreement being completed with Paradise Township. Executive Secretary, Pam Gardsy gave an update of the work being completed for Phase 1 of the Ice Lake Grant which includes the site grading and clearing, well, septic system and walking paths. Supervisor Patti O’Keefe asked about the type of septic system being installed. Sewage Enforcement Officer Jeryl Rinehart will provide her information on the Norweco At-Grade Septic System.

Disclaimer: The ideas expressed below are the personal thoughts and opinions of Nate Covington and do not necessarily reflect the position of Barrett Township or its Board of Auditors.

[Update 3/5/19 @ 9:15am]
To clarify, The Ordinance from 2/27/19 is adopting an amendment to the Intergovernmental agreement with Paradise (PARC) - original ordinance #135.  Development of Barrett Township’s property Community Park at Ice Lake is a separate topic.  My reason for combining these issues into a single post is since these are neighboring properties, they should be considered side-by-side.  Apologies for any confusion.  

At the Supervisor's Meeting on February 27, 2019, a new ordinance was passed with a dissenting vote.  Patty O'Keefe voted "neigh," claiming the details of Barrett's ordinance did not match the corresponding Paradise ordinance.  

Further, the meeting minutes from the Environmental Advisory Committee from January 15, 2019 include some concerns about developing the Ice Lake Community Park, which calls for an ADA accessible walking path, and handicap accessible bathrooms with flush toilets.  

Coming soon!  Plans for the park include ADA accessible walking trails and two bathrooms.  Stay tuned for details.  

Open to the Public

Owned and managed by Paradise and Barrett Townships through the Pocono Area Recreation Commission