January 20, 2022

Greetings, and Happy New Year Willistown Parks & Recreation Friends!

We're kicking off 2023 in the great outdoors. Join us for our Winter in Willistown Hike at Okehocking Preserve with CRC Watersheds Association. I'll be leading the moderate to challenging hike on Saturday, February 4th at 10 AM. Dogs on leash are welcome. Please scroll for more details and register for this free event. Note: it is filling up fast!

Stay tuned for two spring outings in our Hike Willistown Series, one led by a watershed historian from CRC and one with Historic Sugartown.

Willistown Summer Fun Camp registration is open, and the week-long Philly Union Soccer Camp registration opens on February 1.

We also continue to accept membership inquiries for the Willistown Community Garden. Please scroll for info.

As always, contact me with any questions, ideas, or constructive criticism.

See you in the preserve,

Mary 

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

Winter in Willistown Hike 
Willistown Parks and Rec and CRC Watersheds Association

February 4, 10-11:30 AM

Willistown Parks and Recreation's Hike Willistown Series
The Hike Willistown Series brings a variety of entertaining guides and storytellers to our preserves and trails for fresh-air outings to walk and talk with Willistown residents, neighbors, and friends about the properties and topics including conservation, resource protection, land management, wildlife watching, local history, and more. It's all about enjoying the great outdoors! As always, ideas and suggestions are welcome—email us.

About the Winter in Willistown Hike
Join Willistown Parks & Recreation and CRC Watersheds Association for a moderate to challenging hike at the Township’s 185-acre Okehocking Preserve. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress for the day's weather, keeping in mind the hill climbs and open meadows offered by this beautiful nature preserve.

We’ll get lots of fresh air walking through meadows, old field, successional areas, and mature woodlands in this section of the Ridley Creek valley. You’ll hear about these habitats and their management, the partnership efforts of Willistown Parks and Recreation and CRC Watersheds, any winter wildlife that’s out and about, and more. You can view the event flier here for a short guide bio and more event information.

Parking
Please be sure to park at the 996 Delchester Road parking area and walk the gravel drive to the Leash Free Field where we'll gather before the hike. 

Four-Legged Friends
Dogs are welcome on leash.

Questions and Inclement Weather
Please contact Mary with event questions and stay tuned to the Township’s social media or call for a recorded message in the event of inclement weather at 610-647-5300 x224.

Registration
Walk-ins welcome. Preregistration is preferred.

DESCRIPTION
Jump Start Sports is known for its excellent sports camps. At the request of Willistown Parks and Recreation, Jump Start provides Willistown's Summer Fun camps that include more than sports. Children entering grades K through 5 will enjoy games, arts and crafts, water play, sports, free play, and more. We focus on cooperation, teamwork, sportsmanship, and summertime fun.  Sports include innovative drills, competitions, and games to help teach children at their level of skill and understanding. Our fun-oriented and instructional camps create an atmosphere that enables children to learn, grow, make friends, and have a meaningful summer experience.  

Each day features a full-camp game in the morning, skill instruction in a sport, and recreational games and activities. 

STAFF to CAMPER RATIO
The ratio of campers to staff is a maximum of 10:1. All counselors are college-age or higher, and there are no counselors in training. You may sign up for individual weeks or the whole summer. Register here. Download the Summer Fun Camp flier here.

PARENT MANUAL
Download the Parent Manual for more information on drop-off/pickup procedures, what to bring, etc. Here’s to a wonderful summer!

RATES
Half Day: Resident*: $130 per week/$950 all 8 weeks
                Non-Resident: $140 per week
Full Day: Resident*: $190 per week/$1400 all 8 weeks
                Non-Resident: $200 per week
Before Camp Care: 8-9 AM $20/week
After Camp Care: 3-5:30 PM $30/week
ADDITIONAL FEE: Please Note: There is a 5% processing fee added to each week due to third party registration charges.
RESIDENT DISCOUNT CODE: *Are you a Willistown resident? Contact Mary with your address for verification and she will email you the discount code.

SIGN UP
Register here. Please contact Mary Hundt, Willistown’s Director of Parks and Recreation, or Tom Stackhouse from Jump Start Sports with any questions you may have.

WILLISTOWN SUMMER FUN CAMP FLIER

Download a PDF of the flier.

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). 

• Willistown Community Garden Pledge (PDF)
• Adult Volunteer Waiver (PDF)
• Youth Volunteer Waiver (PDF)

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.