Imagination Playground Upgrades Coming In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The Imagination Land and Inclusive Playground will be modernized.

At a recent Bensalem Township Council meeting, a resolution was presented to apply for a grant to modernize the Imagination Land and Inclusive Playground.

The estimated cost of the project is $530,000, township officials said.

A maximum grant award would be $250,000, requiring a dollar-for-dollar match from the township.

The playground, which is well-used and always crowded, will be closed during the entire deconstruction and rebuild process.

The project is expected to start in January 2025 and be completed by the following summer.

The new design will include additional accessibility features for children with disabilities, such as sensory boards and a merry-go-round accessible by wheelchair. Some older features will also be reinstated.

In other township business at its Feb. 26 meeting, the council:

• Discussed and approved fee schedule amendments and escrow releases for development projects. Council members acknowledged the cost increase over the past 14 years and aimed to cover "the actual costs of doing business," including personnel and materials. The amendments were for revisions to the building and planning, fire rescue fee schedule. Council members express their gratitude for the time and effort put into the presentation and review, and after a brief question-and-answer session, they approve the fee schedule revision.
• Approved the release of funds for Gibson Holdings LLC and Amazon Project, with some funds held back for outstanding issues.
• Approved the release of funds for Amazon.com Services LLC for various tax parcels for $189,450.
• Considered two resolutions for amendments to the township's Act 537 plan for different projects. The first is for a building on 1311 Bristol Pike, which now houses medical professionals and requires additional sewage capacity. The second is for a different company and involves a sewer facility plan revision for a new development on a parcel of land identified as DVR Care.
• Discussed the completion of various projects and the remaining budget. Council members mentioned that some work, including checking the health of declining trees and deciding on a fence material for residential properties, will have to wait until the grass grows.
• The Township Solicitor reported that the zoning hearing board had denied variance requests for a property on Byberry Road, and if Council needed to discuss it further, they should do so in executive session due to potential litigation.