Community Input Sought On Polo Field Proposal In Haverford

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — A new taskforce has been formed to help gather feedback on the polo field planned for use by Lower Merion Middle School athletics.

The Brynford Civic Association in Haverford Township formed a special Polo Field Task Force to gather feedback on a Lower Merion proposal to give Haverford sole ownership of the field at 109 County Line Road in the Bryn Mawr while allowing new use for Lower Merion students.

Neighborhood feedback on issues such as traffic, parking, buses, maintenance and scheduling is sought from community members to present to the Haverford Board of Commissioners.

Feedback is specifically sought from residents between County Line Road, Dayton Road, Penn Street and Railroad Avenue.

Based on the input received, a list of community priorities will be formulated and presented to the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners, the Township Manager and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Haverford Commissioners will decide whether to accept, amend or reject the proposal.

Lower Merion's proposal would clarify ownership of the 18-acre field, which is jointly operated by Haverford and Lower Merion townships, even though its Bryn Mawr location is entirely within the boundaries of Haverford Township.

Under the proposal, students at Lower Merion’s new Black Rock Middle School would be allowed to use the baseball and softball diamonds for games and practices in the spring, starting in 2024.

Haverford and Lower Merion townships would share responsibilities for mowing and maintenance of the field.

Under the proposal, the Lower Merion School District would provide roughly $275,000 for improvements playground and community space improvements on the site.

Haverford Township will determine how the money is spent.

Township officials have publicly assured the community that neighborhood input will be solicited regarding the priorities for the $275,000 and that no agreement will be finalized without community involvement.

Task force members are Gail Lovett (Dayton Road), Chair; Brian Cody (Penn Street); Kristen Dodge (County Line Road); Peter Landry (Polo Road); Wendy McGarvey (Old Lancaster Road); and Ken Sands (Dayton Road).

The task force will work with Ward 5 Haverford Commissioner Laura Cavender to solicit input from the community, both informally and through a survey.

Residents with questions, concerns, suggestions or recommendation may contact members of the Polo Field Task Force or email BrynfordCA@gmail.com.

Learn more about the Brynford Civic Association's work on the field proposal online here.