Borough Of Carlisle

We are pleased to announce that Carlisle Borough has been recognized as the 64th Bird Town Pennsylvania Community! We are the fourth municipality in Cumberland County, PA to achieve this distinction, joining the Borough of Mechanicsburg, South Middleton Township, and Upper Allen Township. Bird Town Pennsylvania works with local municipalities and like-minded organizations to promote community-based conservation actions to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people. To be recognized as a Bird Town, Borough Council passed a resolution committing to ecological initiatives that provide a healthier environment for the people and birds of Carlisle. A Bird Town Committee was also formed, led by Carlisle Parks and Recreation Director Andrea Crouse, and consisting of Borough staff members and community volunteers. The committee submitted the Bird Town application and will work to carry out the program’s goals. The Bird Town committee meets bimonthly on the second Monday at 4:30 p.m. at the Stuart Community Center, 415 Franklin Street. Meetings are open to the public. Visit https://lnkd.in/gMgRTu6e to learn more about the committee's work and how you can get involved!

A Story Forest has sprouted up around Fort Letort! This interactive installation features pages from a children's book displayed on cut-out tree-shaped boards. The boards line the perimeter of the playground. Carlisle Borough partnered with the Bosler Memorial Library to bring this literacy project to life. The boards were constructed by Joe Bott, a Boy Scout with Troop 180 of New Kingston, as part of his Eagle Scout project. "Priscilla and her Pals in the Park," written by Pat LaMarche and illustrated by Bonnie Tweedy Shaw, is the first book on display. The library will rotate stories yearly and showcase local children's book authors. As part of our partnership with Bosler, the library has provided, and will continue to offer, outreach activities in our parks, such as this summer's Storytime in the Park. 

The Borough's Land Use Reform subcommittee, formed in early 2023, continues reviewing Carlisle's adopted land use policies and recommending improvements to Borough Council. Here is an update on several initiatives currently underway. Minimum Bicycle Parking: The Subcommittee proposed a text amendment to the zoning ordinance requiring at least two bicycle parking spaces for every 10 vehicle spaces in new developments. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): A text amendment standard would allow ADUs to be created through renovation, addition, or a new building on any lot with a legal dwelling. Additionally, the Subcommittee is developing form-based code standards for accessory buildings, permitting ADUS on lots adjacent to alleys. Artisan Industry/Manufacturing: Artisan Industry supports small-scale manufacturing, including arts and crafts, foods, beverages, clothing, and other similar products. This land-use typically contains a retail component. Currently, this manufacturing is only allowed in downtown Carlisle through special exceptions. The Subcommittee recommends a text amendment allowing light manufacturing in the downtown district. Small Area Planning: The Subcommittee is looking to develop small area plans for two Borough gateways - North Hanover Street from North East Street to Ashburn Drive and East High Street in the area of the former Frog, Switch& Manufacturing property. These areas, which show signs of disinvestment and are largely car-oriented, could see improvements that benefit existing property owners and surrounding neighborhoods. For more details on these initiatives, visit www.carlislepa.org/lur.

Our Mayor Sean Shultz is participating in the Mayors Institute on Pedestrian Safety! Providing safe and accessible infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists is a priority for the Mayor and the rest of Borough Council.

Despite the change of venue to indoors, everyone had a great time at National Night Out last night! Each year, the Carlisle Borough Police Department and the North Middleton Township Police Department join forces to host this community-building event at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. Due to the forecast of severe storms, Carlisle Events graciously allowed the event to move indoors into one of its exhibition buildings. Thank you to the local first responders and agencies who participated this year! The goal of National Night Out is to strengthen police-community partnerships, encourage neighborhood camaraderie, and make communities safer and more caring places to live.

"If you've gotta take a break, you've gotta take a break. You've gotta get out of the heat, you've gotta get out of the heat." The high temperature is expected to rise above 90 degrees again today. Working inside on a hot and humid day like this isn't typically an option for our Field Operations Crews. We caught up with Crew Leader Jason Pote and Maintainer Javier Luviano while they worked on repairing a storm drain on West Penn Street. Both from California, they're used to high temperatures, but the humidity here can take its toll! Jason shared some insight into how they stay cool and safe on these extremely hot days.

This week, the Parks and Recreation summer day campers are learning all about the environment! On Monday, our MS4 Coordinator Tiffany Strine led the kids in several interactive and nature-themed activities highlighting the importance of keeping our land and waterways clean. These projects are not only fun for the kids (and for Tiffany!), but they also help us meet the public education requirements of our MS4 Permit.

As Parks and Recreation month winds down, we want to take a moment to recognize our amazing Carlisle Parks and Recreation staff! Thank you for providing our Borough with great parks, exciting recreational opportunities, and access to beautiful public spaces. We also want to shout out those not pictured, including our many program instructors, camp counselors, pool employees, and center supervisors. Thanks for everything you do. The show couldn't go on without you!

We are hiring a Water Resources Director/Assistant Engineer! The Borough of Carlisle's Water Resources Department is building sustainable utility operations to meet the social, economic, and environmental demands of the 21st Century. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a vital department with limitless potential and manage multiple projects currently underway, as well as plan for the future needs of our dynamic community! For more information on this position, visit https://lnkd.in/eVeyj6D.

The Carlisle Pumptrack held its grand opening this weekend! Located in Valley Meadows Park, the pumptrack is a self-contained bicycling circuit designed for riders of all levels to develop better bike handling skills and cardiovascular fitness while having fun! Spearheaded by Cumberland Youth Cycling Development (CYCD), the pumptrack has been several years in the making. CYCD first presented the idea to the Carlisle Parks and Recreation Board in 2019! In addition to Carlisle Borough, CYCD collaborated with the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation, Partnership for Better Health, and various local businesses and individuals to bring the Carlisle Pumptrack to life.