The West Torresdale Civic Association expects to see what the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale has in store for its trap shooting range by the end of the month.
During a May 26 meeting, the civic group’s new president, Ken Law, told neighbors that Union League officials said they would prepare a plan by July 1 for addressing noise complaints. Law and other West Torresdale residents say that the shotgun blasts emanating from the golf club disturb their quality of life.
The golf club is at Frankford and Grant avenues, although the shooting most affects neighbors living along the club’s northeastern property line. The closest residential streets include Chesterfield Road, Whitehall Lane, West Crown Avenue, Sussex Lane, Berea Street, Glenn Street, President Street and Outlook Street.
The shooting began last fall and continued until the start of golf season earlier this spring. During the shooting season, the city’s Office of Air Management Services visited the neighborhood several times at residents’ request and issued violations to the Union League for the noise.
A Union League representative was unable to attend the May 26 civic meeting, but an employee supervisor for the club, Jeff McFadden, said at the group’s April 11 meeting that the Union League was considering several changes to mitigate the noise. McFadden said that the club could change the direction of the shooting away from the West Torresdale residences and that the club could install sound buffers including trees and berms.
Law said that leaders of the civic group expect to review the Union League’s mitigation plan in advance of the group’s next meeting on July 21, when the plan will be shared with residents. The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at the 8th Police District, Academy and Red Lion roads.
In unrelated business, the WTCA elected a new executive board. The new officers include President Ken Law, Vice President John Kucowski, Recording Secretary Tom Kilfeather and Treasurer Michael Garozzo. Past president Judd Newton said he will remain an active member of the association.
The new board is hoping to redefine the geographic area represented by the association and to organize more community events such as Byberry Creek clean-up days, block parties and holiday celebrations. They also want to improve traffic safety and enforcement on local streets as a means to protect children.
The civic association is planning a fall cleanup day. A date has not been determined. For information about the event and other community activities, follow the “West Torresdale Civic Association” page on Facebook. ••
