March 23, 2023

Greetings Willistown Parks & Recreation Friends,

We're celebrating 20 years of the Willistown Parks and Recreation Department with some special fun to mark the occasion and commemorate the memories we’ve shared along the way. We’ll also plant an anniversary tree, and we’re inviting you to share your stories and photos of your favorite parks, park parties, and programs with us. And, of course, there will be cake!  

In this edition:

20 Years of Parks and Recreation Celebration: Calling all photographers!

Okehocking Tree Care Day w/ CRC April 15, 9-11am 

Our Summer Fun Camp registration is ongoing, and all weeks still have openings.

Philly Union Youth Soccer Camp at Rita Reves Park July 17-20, registration is open.

2023 Spring Recycling Program event dates released. 

Comprehensive Plan Chapter 7 released for public comment and call for photographs.

As always, please share your thoughts and constructive criticism, and contact me with any questions.

Can't wait to see you in the park,

Mary 

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

Celebrating 20 Years of Willistown Parks & Rec
Through Photos

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!
Please submit your photographs to be considered for inclusion in the celebration of 20 years of Parks and Recreation in Willistown Township. Your photos will add to our celebration of two decades of fun in the sun in Willistown. You may submit photos from Willistown Parks and Rec events, your outings in Willistown's parks and preserves, and from your GO WilMa! outdoor adventures. Your photos may be used in a number of ways including social media posts, our Breaking Good News Enewsletter, the Towne Crier, the website, and, depending on the amount of submissions we receive, a special Greentree ArtLit exhibit: Walk Down Memory Lane. 

ENTER ONLINE 
Please complete our online form to enter your photograph. One photo per form, please. Ideal resolution for submitted photographs is 300 DPI or greater. Please submit your images in the highest resolution available.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 
Submitted photographs must have been taken in Willistown Township's parks and preserves at events or on your own, or while on Willistown Parks and Rec's GO WilMa! outdoor adventure program outings. Photographs must be submitted by end of day April 10, 2023. Thank you for helping us celebrate!

Okehocking Tree Care Day w/ CRC 20 

Saturday, April 15, 9-11am 
Preregistration Required

Join Willistown Parks and Recreation and Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association for some fresh air and tree care at Willistown’s Okehocking Preserve. We will be tending to the 100-tree planting from last year and previous years by pulling weeds, adjusting deer protection cages, and mulching, and there may be some vine cutting to free some trees as well. Preregistration required. Register through CRC by emailing Lynn Meza, Director of Volunteerism. Please email Mary, Willistown’s Director of Parks and Recreation, with questions.

Willistown Summer Fun Camps

June 19 - August 11

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.

Philadelphia Union Camp @ Rita Reves Park 
July 17 - July 20, 9am-12pm 

Willistown Parks and Recreation is pleased to partner with the Philadelphia Union's youth soccer program for another four-day week of soccer camp this summer.

LOCATION

Rita Reves Park, 1040 Garrett Mill Road, Newtown Square, PA 19073 

TIMING

The week-long camp will run Monday, July 17 through Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 9am to 12pm. Friday, July 21 will be used in the event of a weather-related cancellation.

DESCRIPTION
The unique camp programs are designed to enhance individual skill levels, possess a fun element, and allow players from different soccer organizations to come together to play the beautiful game.

The Philadelphia Union is dedicated to growing the love of the game through cost-effective programs that will allow us to capture the hearts and minds of families and create lifelong Union fans. 

Every participant is given the opportunity to attend a Union game for free to watch their heroes play and enjoy the atmosphere and passion of the Philadelphia Union Soccer fans, who are, without a doubt, the best in the country. Find details about camp benefits and cancellation and refund policies here.

FEE

$189 Resident*/$209 Non-Resident
*Willistown residents: Please get in touch with Mary, our Parks & Recreation Director, with your address for resident verification to receive a discount code before registering.

REGISTRATION

Register here. Scroll to the bottom of the page and create an account if you do not already have one, and off you go!

Willistown Recycling Events
Environmental Sustainability Committee

Earth Month in Willistown

Willistown Parks and Recreation is all about adventuring outside and enjoying our beautiful landscape. We also like to give back to the environment that gives us so much, and recycling is a part of that effort. 

Thank you to our Environmental Sustainability Committee for organizing these events. All three events will be held on the Township campus at 688 Sugartown Road, Malvern from 9 am to 12 pm. Please note all events are for Willistown Residents only:

Saturday, April 1 - Chipping Day

Saturday, April 15 - E-Waste Recycling Drop Off

Saturday, April 29 - Document Shredding 

Comprehensive Plan Update 

We want to hear from you!

Deadline for Chapter 7 Comments: March 31

 
The Willistown Township Planning Commission, consultants, and staff are working to finalize the latest update to the Township Comprehensive Plan, Guidelines for Growth and Sustainability.

The draft for Chapter 7 has been posted and we are accepting your comments now through Friday, March 31. Missed the comment periods for previous chapters? A full plan draft will be shared in April, and public comments will be accepted through April 21.

A Public Meeting presenting the final draft is planned for late May. Sign up for the Comprehensive Plan Update Bulletins to be notified of the upcoming news on the Comprehensive Plan.