Even if there wasn't a new park being built there, the intersection of Weaver and Petersburg roads could use a new traffic signal, Manheim Township officials say.
And that's what the crossroads between East Petersburg and Neffsville will be getting in coming months, thanks to a vote by the township commissioners Monday night.
The township board agreed to apply for a permit from the state to install and operate a four-way traffic signal there.
Township officials said they hope it's operating by the time the new 40-acre park for Manheim Township fall sports opens in August.
The new park site, at 312 Weaver Road, is expected to serve as a community hub for football, soccer, lacrosse and other sports.
"That area of the township has developed a lot over the last five, six years … even before the Weaver Road park" was discussed, Carol Simpson, president of the commissioners' board, said.
So the new traffic signal will mean much more than a safe entrance and exit for the new park, she said.
The park, being planned for the east side of Weaver Road, will feature two synthetic fields for sports and also could be used for other community activities.
The township had bought the land last summer to ease overcrowding at other fields near the township municipal complex.
The township youth football club had lost its former practice field next to Highland Presbyterian Church, and the township let the players practice, short-term, on the fields near the township building.
Also Monday:
• The commissioners approved a contract to build a new mile-long trail for hiking and nonmotorized biking in the township.
The commissioners approved a $403,506 contract with Horst Excavating, a subsidiary of the Horst Group Inc., to develop the C-shaped trail in the area of Landis Valley Road and Landis Valley Farm Museum.
Work isn't expected to begin until spring, township officials said Monday. Eighty percent of the trail cost is to be paid with federal money and 20 percent by the township, officials said.
The entire trail is along township-owned land, officials said.
• The commissioners announced they would hold a special meeting on the township's proposed new comprehensive plan on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the township building, 1840 Municipal Drive.
They plan to continue a discussion on the updated comprehensive plan they had started in January and possibly set a date for approval, the commissioners said.