[Adopted 12-12-1921 by Ord. No. 1271 (Article 164 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances); amended in its entirety 10-4-2023 by Ord. No. 15947]
A. 
There shall be a body to be known as the "Board of Parks and Recreation."
B. 
Said Board of Parks and Recreation shall consist of 12 members who are residents of the City. Ten of said members shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval and confirmation of the Council, who shall serve for terms of five years or until their successors are duly appointed; two of said members shall be appointed from among the members of the Board of School Directors of the School District of the City of Allentown upon the recommendation of said Board of School Directors, and they shall be members of the Board of Parks and Recreation only so long as they continue to be members of said Board of School Directors; one of said members shall be a representative of the Allentown Youth Organizations United To Help (A-Youth), and said member shall be recommended from among the Board of the A-Youth Organizations United To Help (A-Youth) and shall serve only so long as he/she continues to be a member of said organization. Two of said members shall be ex officio members who shall serve only in an advisory manner except in the case of a voting tie.
C. 
One ex officio member shall be a member of City Council, who shall be appointed by resolution of City Council, whose term of office shall not continue beyond the term of his/her office. One ex officio member shall be the Mayor of the City of Allentown. Both ex officio members shall serve as advisory members only with no voting rights except in the event of a tie where they may vote to break the tie. If both ex officio members are present at the meeting in which a voting tie occurs, they will flip a coin to decide who gets the tiebreaking vote.
The Board of Parks and Recreation shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction, which rules and regulations shall be subject to the approval of City Council. The Board rules and regulations shall aim to hold organizations conducting business within its jurisdiction accountable, and shall include provisions that organizations conducting business within its jurisdiction have the responsibility to report abuse and neglect, must maintain programs inclusive of all ages, races, and creeds, and must maintain programs that shall not be offensive to any religion.
Members must attend 50% of meetings, either virtually or in person. Failure to attend meeting status may be forwarded to the ex officio member that is representing City Council so that said attendance record may be used in consideration for reappointment.
With respect for the strong history of collaboration between the Allentown School District (ASD) and the City of Allentown, and in acknowledgment of the relationship between strong schools and strong cities, the Board of Parks and Recreation shall work to maximize recreation for students and residents within the City. The Board of Parks and Recreation shall have the following powers and duties:
A. 
Identify recreation solutions and make recommendations to Allentown City Council and City of Allentown departments and administration;
B. 
Recommend and implement programs to the appropriate agencies for the improvement of the quality of life within the City of Allentown;
C. 
Make recommendations as to the potential use and development of parks, trails, and other recreation amenities such as the skate park, pools and water parks, fields, courts and structures within the City of Allentown;
D. 
Promote recreation programs;
E. 
Advise City Council and City of Allentown departments and administration on park and recreation planning, including promoting recreation programs and use of facilities;
F. 
Consider such parks and recreation tasks as requested by Allentown City Council and City of Allentown departments and administration.
The Board of Parks and Recreation shall annually prepare a written report of the year's activities, a one-year plan and long-term goals and scenarios to enhance the City's recreational programs and facilities using a template provided by City Council. The report shall be provided to the Mayor and Allentown School District, and shall be presented to Allentown City Council at a public meeting. The Board will provide updates to the Parks and Recreation Committee as requested.