Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Lehigh) said Gov. Tom Corbett has signed House Bill 1052 (Freeman-D-Lehigh) into law gives municipalities the ability to direct recreation fees for the benefit of all residents of their communities.

The new law, Act 135 of 2014, permits municipalities to use recreation fees received from new development to operate, maintain or expand any recreational facilities within the municipality. Prior to this law, municipalities were required to use that money to provide a park in the development where the recreation fee was generated, which Rep. Freeman said tended to result in creation of pocket parks that ended up being underutilized.

"Parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities are important to our quality of life," said Freeman, D-Northampton. "They promote green space in the community, safeguard the environment and give people of all ages a place for exercise and recreation.

"By allowing those fees to go to any park or recreation facility in a community, those dollars can be more wisely used to provide quality recreational opportunities for the benefit of all residents of a municipality.”

The bill goes into effect in 60 days.  A summary and House Fiscal Note are available.

9/29/2014