December 9, 2022

Greetings Willistown Parks & Recreation Friends,

On behalf of the Parks and Recreation Board and myself, we wish you the happiest and most peaceful of holidays!

Especially this time of year, we think about what we are truly grateful for—and it comes down to sharing time with others and experiencing a feeling of belonging, a sense of community. We are thankful for all of our Parks and Recreation park, preserve, and trail friends and programming fans...we're very lucky to serve such a wonderful community. YOU are what makes these places and happenings magical!

This edition of the Willistown Parks and Recreation Breaking Good News includes our Greentree In Tune and On Tap Music Series Survey (closing December 19), Willistown Community Garden openings (inquiry deadline February 14, 2023), and Santa's coming to town with our local Fire Companies! You may visit Santa at the Newtown Square Fire Company firehouse on December 11, and you'll spot him on the firetruck cruising Paoli Fire Company's service area on December 17 and traveling around Malvern Fire Company's service area on December 18. You'll also find info on upcoming events hosted by some of our GO WilMa! Outdoor Adventure Program partners including Historic Sugartown, Paoli Battlefield, and Malvern and Paoli Libraries...starting tomorrow! Details below.

Happy scrolling, and, as always, please contact me with any questions, ideas, or constructive criticism.

See you in the park,

Mary

Mary N. Hundt
Director of Parks and Recreation
Email
610-647-5300 x224

Greentree In Tune and On Tap
Music Survey RSVP by December 19

Greentree In Tune and On Tap is a music series hosted by Willistown Parks and Recreation at Greentree Park. We currently host 3 events all highlighting local music, food, beer, and wine. Due to its popularity, we are adding a fourth event to the series, and we'd like your opinion on what type of band you'd like to see and hear!

Please feel free to share with your friends and neighbors and let them know it closes December 19!

Take the survey now.

Willistown Township Community Garden
Spring 2023 Openings

Located in Sugartown Preserve, the Willistown Community Garden is a volunteer garden under the oversight of Willistown Parks and Recreation where Willistown and area residents share fellowship over growing organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

The gardeners donate a portion of their harvest to local Chester County Food Bank food cupboards. Historically, the gardeners have donated close to 900 pounds of fresh produce per year for Chester County neighbors in need.

Gardeners sign a pledge outlining expectations, requirements, and agreements required of being a gardener as well as volunteer liability waiver(s).

If you are considering becoming a member, please review the Pledge and Waiver(s) to be sure you are comfortable with the time and diligence needed to participate in the garden. Contact Mary, Director of Parks and Recreation, with any questions after reviewing the materials. If interested, kindly execute this Willistown Community Garden Interest Form. The deadline for membership inquiries is February 14, 2023.

Santa's Coming to Town!
Thanks to our local fire companies for hosting him!

Willistown Township is served by four fire companies, and Santa is stopping by each one of them! View the Township map depicting their territories if you are unsure of which company serves you.

Paoli Fire Company's firetruck tour with Santa is Saturday, December 17. The trip through Paoli Fire Company’s response area begins at 9am. Listen for the sirens so you can pop out of your house and wave to Santa. Santa’s firefighting elves will be handing out candy canes and special treats for furry friends.

Malvern Fire Company will be driving Santa Claus throughout it's response area on Sunday, December 18 from noon to 3pm. They offer a service area map on their home page.

You'll find Santa resting and welcoming photos with kids at the Newtown Square Fire Company firehouse, 2 Charles Ellis Drive, from noon to 3pm this Saturday, December 11. The firehouse is collecting non-perishable food donations for the Marple Newtown Kids Against Hunger Food Pantry. View the Kids Against Hunger donation list.

Goshen Fire Company is escorting Santa throughout their service area this Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11. Check out his schedule here.

Historic Sugartown Holiday Craft Market
December 10, Noon-4PM

Get into the holiday spirit at Historic Sugartown! Enjoy a Holiday Market featuring over 40 local crafters and artisans in the beautiful historic village. Locust Lane Craft Brewery, Chaddsford Winery and Manatawny Still Works will offer a Biergarten where you can purchase beverages to enjoy while you’re shopping or to purchase as gifts. Stop by Buddy’s Burgers, East Coast Mini Donuts and the hot cocoa bar to warm up. Santa will also be on-hand to greet shoppers! See a list of vendors and more details.

Admission: $5 for Adults (18+). Children are free. | Your admission supports the ongoing preservation of the 19th-century village.
Directions: The Craft Market will take place in the field behind Historic Sugartown’s c. 1805 William Garrett House at 260 Spring Road, Malvern, PA. Event parking: 260 Spring Road, Malvern.
Follow signs when you arrive in the village.

Wreaths Across America at Paoli Battlefield
December 17, 11AM

Observed annually in December, National Wreaths Across America Day is a movement to cover all Veterans grave markers with a Christmas wreath.

Remember. Honor. Teach: This is the mission of Wreaths Across America. By coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and other veteran cemeteries around the country, Wreaths Across America strives to remember our fallen heroes, honor those who serve, and teach our children about the sacrifices made by veterans and their families to preserve our freedoms. Find out more here.

Malvern & Paoli Library Events
Lots to do at our libraries!

Check out Malvern Library's upcoming events.

Find Paoli Library children and youth programs here.
Find Paoli Library adult program information here.

Comprehensive Plan Update

Willistown Township is updating our Comprehensive Plan, Guidelines for Growth. The Plan explores Willistown history, considers current conditions, and charts a vision for the Township’s future including how to grow, develop, and improve facilities and services. We want to keep you up to date and would like to hear from you about this important plan. Find out more:

Extensive information about the Comp Plan Update and public comment is available on our website: willistown.pa.us/CompPlan

Sign up for Comp Plan Update Bulletins: willistown.pa.us/NotifyMe

Head Outdoors in Willistown's Parks and Preserves

Enjoy Willistown and surrounding area public lands:

Check out our Willistown Township Park Land and Open Space Fund Map, an at-a-glance view including short descriptions of the wonderful recreational assets Willistown has to offer.
Check out Chester County's Parks & Trails
Get the dirt on the best trail navigation and exploration mobile map applications here.
Locate PA state parks through PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource and their Find a Park by Region service

Township News

Towne Crier Newsletter

Check out the latest WillisTowne Crier where you'll find Parks & Rec and other Township News in brief. You can sign up to receive the Crier directly through Notify Me here.