Lower Macungie residents who are interested in the township's plans for its parks and recreation programs are welcome to attend meetings of a new panel charged with making recommendations. 

The Citizen Task Force for Comprehensive Recreation & Open Space is expecting to begin meeting in September to provide input to the township commissioners and staff on a comprehensive plan for the parks, officials said.

"We'll probably come up with a long term plan rather than do things piecemeal," said Commissioner Roger Reis, who sits on the Public Works Committee.

The panel, organized by Sara Pandl, township director of planning, includes about a dozen volunteers representing various interests. But the public is welcome to attend the meetings and make suggestions of their own, commissioners said.