Comprehensive Plan Update

We want to hear from you! 

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.

Is Your Lawn Stormwater Friendly?

Achieving a lush green lawn, beautiful spring flowers, and hearty summer crops are understandable gardening goals, and applying pesticides and fertilizers is a common practice for many gardeners. Unfortunately, those lawn care chemicals often wind up washing right into local waters. The excess nutrients from fertilizers can cause drinking water contamination, massive algal blooms, and fish kills. The contaminants from pesticides can result in waters that are not fishable or drinkable. Here are a few gardening tips that will help minimize the effect that fertilizers and pesticides have on water resources: 

• September is the best month to fertilize but if you want to fertilize more than once, don’t fertilize in the spring until you have mowed the lawn three times. 
• More is not always better! Skip the “step programs” offered by many lawn care companies, and be sure to apply fertilizers and pesticides only as directed, no more than one to two pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Using less will save you money, too! If you do use a lawn care company, ask them about their environmental options and certifications. 
• Mow high and leave grass clippings on the lawn. It helps improve the lawn’s health and quality, and you’re less likely to need fertilizer. 
•  Avoid using fertilizers or pesticides near wellheads or within 75 feet of waterways. 
•  Check the weather forecast before applications, and don’t apply fertilizers or pesticides when there is rain predicted.
  
  Visit the website: http://www.ristormwatersolutions.org for more information.   

Okehocking Preserve Tree Care Event

Willistown Parks and Recreation and CRC Watersheds Association

Saturday, April 15, 9-11 am, 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.

Summer Fun Camps at Sugartown Elementary School 

Still a Few Spots Available

Eight weeks of fun for kids in grades K-5 | Choose as many weeks as you like!

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 games, arts and crafts, water play, sports, and more for children entering grades K through 5. 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.

2023 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.

For more information, including weekly camp themes and how to register visit our 2023 Summer Fun Camp page.

Philadelphia Union Youth Soccer Camp

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

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

Description: The Philadelphia Union Youth training programs offer a variety of summer camps throughout PA, NJ, and DE for players who want a fantastic camp experience, additional training outside of their club schedule, and to be part of the Philadelphia Union family.

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.

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

Registration is now open. Please sign up for the Willistown Parks and Recreation Breaking Good News electronic newsletter for announcements.

Malvern Library News 

For The Kids: 

Tinker Time! March 29 and April 27 at 4:30pm
Learn how to use Tinkercad to make designs ready for 3D printing with Ms. Megan at the library. All attendees’ designs will be printed on the Malvern Library's brand- new 3D printer! 

Bunny Storytime! April 4 at 10:30am
Hop on over to the library and join Ms. Megan for a Bunny themed storytime! We'll sing, play, and read as usual and then make a very special bunny craft! 

For the Adults

Martha Schofield: Forgotten Feminist March 28 at 6:00pm
In celebration of Women’s History Month, come learn about Martha Schofield, local abolitionist and suffragist whose childhood home was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Intro to Braver Angels: Crossing the Divide April 15 at 9:30am.
Tired of the divide in America and want to be part of the solution? Come learn about Braver Angels and the grassroots, non-partisan movement which seeks to depolarize American politics. 

Poetry Circle - April 3, 2:00 pm

Poetry Circle Writing Group - April 17, 2:00 pm 

Book Club- April 18, 9:30 am

FULL LIST OF PROGRAMS: malvern-library.org/calendar

NEW for Malvern Library Cardholders! Access Kanopy PLUS, a FREE streaming service with an expertly curated collection of light-hearted films, compelling world cinema, documentaries, and kids’ favorites. To get started go to https://ccls.kanopy.com