May 3, 2023

Greetings Willistown Parks & Recreation Friends,

We definitely needed some rain, and we certainly have gotten it! Are you looking for something fun to do in the sun? Join Willistown Parks and Recreation and Historic Sugartown for our next Hike Willistown event at Okehocking Preserve this Saturday. Forecast is for sun! Deetails below.

Also in this edition of Breaking Good News: Summer camp and recycling event info as well as a save the date for the final Comprehensive Plan Update public meeting May 11 @ 7PM at General Wayne Elementary.

Check out our parks and recreation calendar of events here.

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

HIKE WILLISTOWN SERIES PRESENTS:
Zach Biro at Okehocking Preserve

Saturday, May 6, 3-5pm
Preregistration Required

Join Willistown Parks and Recreation and Zach Biro, Executive Director of Historic Sugartown for a moderate to challenging hike at the Township’s 185-acre Okehocking Preserve.

About Zach Biro

Zach is the Executive Director of Historic Sugartown. He is originally from Bethlehem, Pa. and has a Master's in history from Lehigh University. Zack's background includes work with the history of the Moravian Church, the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC, and the Science History Institute in Philadelphia.

Walk and Talk Description
The 1684 Welsh Tract West of Philadelphia was established by William Penn as a place for Quakers to establish their own communities in the new world. The 40,000 acres of the Welsh Tract included present day Willistown. Zach's talk will explore the initial Quaker settlers of Willistown, their communities, and the impact their presence had on the local native population by looking at the experience of the Okehocking people in Willistown. Registration is required.

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 together! As always, ideas and suggestions are welcome—email us.

Questions
Please contact Mary with event questions.

Inclement Weather
Please call Mary for a recorded message in the event of inclement weather at 610-647-5300 x224.

Gear
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.

Parking
5316 West Chester Pike parking area at Okehocking Preserve.

Registration
Register here.

Willistown Summer Fun Camps

June 19 - August 11

Camps are filling up!

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 12:1. 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
Please Note the Additional Fee: 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 Theme 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!

Comprehensive Plan Update: Save the Date

Final Public Meeting May 11, 7PM

General Wayne Elementary School

The Willistown Township Planning Commission, consultants, and staff have finalized the latest update to the Township Comprehensive Plan, Guidelines for Growth and Sustainability. Throughout the process, drafts of each chapter have been released for public comment, and you can now view the full draft plan here. You may provide feedback on the play through May 19th.

Click on the map to see the key describing each property.

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.