Since our previous newsletter last fall, we have been very busy in the Hills. In February 2012, I attended County Executive Rushern Baker’s Public Budget Hearing at Harmony Hall and spoke on behalf of PHCA to the panel on the benefits of restoring the leaf vacuum program. We’ve held two quarterly association meeting already this year, and discussed a plethora of topics including, but not limited to, security measures within the neighborhood, and Neighborhood Watch; the opening of the Tucker Road Sport & Learning Complex and the National Harbor Tanger Outlet; and upcoming volunteer opportunities within the neighborhood.

As I mentioned in my last column, my focus is getting more input from the community on what issues are important and of interest to you, and you responded loud and clear!! The hottest topic at our last quarterly meeting was the construction of a community playground at the Waterfront Park.
Although our community is uniquely different from other traditional neighborhoods, and we haven’t had a lot of small children in the neighborhood for many years, we should still offer standard amenities available in all other neighborhoods, and that includes a nearby playground for our families to utilize without driving out of Piscataway Hills. A committee of families in the neighborhood has been formed to create a design of the playground for board approval, and it will be voted on during our next quarterly meeting (June 26). Please contact Maureen Bartee if you are interest- ed in participating in the design and fundraising efforts for the waterfront playground.

Speaking of our waterfront park, and as we move into warmer months for water activities, we would ask that anyone who has a kayak or canoe stored at the waterfront park kayak rack and hasn’t used their boat for the last couple of summers, please consider storing your boat at home to free up rack spots for others in the neighborhood that kayak and/or canoe more frequently. We will also be discussing at our next meeting the possibility of building additional kayak/ canoe racks to accommodate increased water activities and population in the neighborhood.
With so many outdoor activities to do, I look forward to seeing each and every one of you at upcoming events, out on the water, or just walking through the neighborhood. If I don’t see you between now and the end of the summer, here’s wishing each of you and your family happy travels during summer vacation and safe Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays.
Peace & Blessings,
Gwynn Roberson PHCA President