Bucks County Residents are fighting a youth camp expansion development proposal
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Concerned Neighbors of
Springfield Township PA
Concerned Neighbors of
Springfield Township PA
Click here to read article and listen to the WHYY interview with Zoe Read - February 27th, 2024
(Keep in mind that the statements made by the Camp's Executive Director David Stiansen during this interview were not cross checked against the transcripts of his testimony and are inconsistent)
concerns about traffic, wildlife, noise, sewage and how development will impact the environment and our quiet country neighborhood
concerns about traffic, wildlife, noise, sewage and how development will impact the environment and our quiet country neighborhood
Please Support our efforts to preserve your community all donations help with legal costs in our fight to keep this place we ALL call home rural, peaceful and safe!
SEE THE EVENTS PAGE FOR UPCOMING FUN OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT AND MEET THE NEIGHBORS!
Judy Popivchak and her husband Chuck are some of the concerned neighbors. They are both retired. They live on her heritage conserved "Springfield Farms" which she bought back in the 1960s, about the same time Haycock Camp was starting with it's first campers. Judy misses the warm, neighborly relationship she once enjoyed with the camp before the current administration took over. Her place is a haven for dozens of animals including cows, horses, sheep, birds, pigs, goats and more, that would otherwise be put down. Rescuing large farm animals is just one of the ways Judy gives back. She worries about their well being, especially all the camp traffic continually driving down the single lane road in front of her home to the camp, causing dust, noise and dangerous accidents. She hopes the camp will follow the conditions laid down by the townshipto limiy their attendees to campers only, and better manage their sewage lagoon, loud shooting at all hours and non-permitted building and logging. Also to protect the natural wetlands and habitats of endangered species known to be in the area. Keeping the camp adhered to their original rustic roots and preserving the natural environment for all to enjoy is Judy's main concern
Purpose
Purpose
In the summer of 2023, neighbors on the quiet roads surrounding the Haycock Camping Ministries in Kintnersville PA, learned that this youth camp has been secretly working on a large 30 year expansion project that will effect the people, roads and properties around the camp. Furthermore they have been making additions to buildings and tearing down trees without proper permits with no concern for wildlife and waterways.
They want to increase the amount of people coming into the camp, and make it available to the public as well as open up the usage to year round, not strictly seasonal. This is a non profit rustic Christian Camp and they will profit greatly from the increased attendance, not taking into consideration the effects on surrounding neighbors.
The camp intends to make many new structures and areas for certain activities such as go carts, paint ball, gymnasium, water park and gun ranges, this of course will make it more inviting to the public and the camp's desire to rent out cottages to people not associated with the camp.
The Concerned Neighbors group has been attending Township meetings and have even retained their own lawyer to help fight the expansion and limit the camp to protect our community. We are seeking support from the community in this matter as this expansion will not stay contained to the roads surrounding the camp. Development will impact the streams, noise, wetlands, traffic, wildlife, roadways etc. We are hoping with your help we can restrict the camp's expansion plan and keep our community peaceful and safe.
Springfield Township Bucks County PA proud to be a BIRD TOWN
Not all wild animals adapt to humans, planning for trails and other projects should take into account the impacts we have on them--whether we can see them or not.
For animals that survive by the grace of their hearing, traffic's "masking effect" can be fatal. Ambient road noise drowns out songbirds' alarm calls and prevents owls from detecting rodents.
Country roads can have blind curves, hills and animals. It is important to note that drivers not accustomed to our roads may speed and not be familiar with the hazards of rural areas.
Narrow country roads can be especially dangerous when large vehicles are using them as throughways. Many country roads are curved and winding with hills, creating an even greater visibility challenge and and causing maneuverability challenges for the driver of the large vehicle. Additionally, the road's narrowness (and often absence of a shoulder) might make it impossible for an oncoming vehicle to pass safely. If the country roads are gravel or dirt, this magnifies the danger of the situation, as traction becomes more of a challenge.
Rural America is important to our nation. It's communities are innovative and resilient.
The Camp would need to encompass at least 20 acres to accommodate a new sewage treatment facility as the existing lagoon is failing to keep up with the amount of campers and staff on property.
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