Playground, Restrooms Coming to Quaker Penn Park

Fun will be in full swing at Quaker Penn Park this summer with the addition of a swing set and playground equipment.

In an effort to increase visits to Quaker Penn Park – while saving the Township money in annual costs – the Falls Supervisors authorized the purchase of a playground, swings and three compost toilet facilities.

Seventy-five percent of the total $237,180 project costs would be covered by a Bucks County open space grant. Falls Township would pay 25 percent of the projected cost, or $59,295.

The playground, which features poured-in-place rubber surfacing, a slide, steering wheel, 30-inch crawl tube and swings, could be installed as early as July. Riverfront cleanup, including the removal of dead trees to provide a better riverfront view is also planned for this summer. New picnic tables would be installed closer to the river as well.

With the addition of the so-called compost toilets, Falls Township Parks and Recreation Director Brian Andrews said the Township would save $1,000 per year in portable toilet costs. Oldcastle Precast will install three toilets, including one that’s handicap accessible.

Falls would also save on maintenance costs and could cut back on the expense of running water. The facility would be relatively maintenance-free for 20 years other than adding fresh wood chips every few years.

Electricity is part of the grant also. Andrews said he would like to add street lighting at the entrance, as well as in the parking lot.

“We need light down there,” he said. “That’s always been a problem.”

With the addition of the play area and restroom facility, Andrews said he envisions more residents visiting the park.

“We can get more activity down there,” Andrews said. “We could get revenue from the pavilion rentals.”