Greetings, Willistown Parks & Recreation Friends!

It's a cold, rainy spring day and I keep reminding myself April showers bring May flowers to make this dreary day more bearable. I am looking forward to getting into the garden and enjoying long walks in Willistown parks and preserves in the sunnier days ahead.

We have two upcoming events in our Hike Willistown series. Join us for an PA Earth Day Walk in Okehocking Preserve on Tuesday, April 22 and a Serpentine Barrens Tour on Tuesday, May 13 at Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves. Pre-registration is required for both events.

Registration is also open for Willistown Township's 2025 Weekly Summer Camps. If you're looking for an affordable and fun summer camp for children aged 5-12, check out our partnership with Jump Start Sports. The camp kicks off the week of June 16th at Sugartown Elementary School (611 Sugartown Road, Malvern). Full-day and half-day options, along with before and after care are available.

Finally, save the dates for our annual park parties at Greentree Park in June, July and August!

See you in the parks,

Jennifer Jacobs
Community Outreach and Recreation Coordinator
Email
610-647-5300 X 236

Hike Willistown Series

PA Wildlife Earth Day Walk
Tuesday, April 22 10:00 am – 11:30 am (rain date April 23)
Okehocking Preserve -Ages 12 and up
Pre-registration required – WillistownEarthDayWalk.eventbrite.com

Join environmental educator Dawn White, of Indian Run Environmental Education Center, and her animal ambassadors to learn more about our local wildlife.

Meet live birds of prey and reptiles, discover their roles in our local ecosystems, and find out how we can better accommodate wildlife in our yards and neighborhoods. The program will be followed by a nature walk through the woods and fields of Okehocking Preserve, to discover various species of plants and animals. Please leave dogs at home for this program.

Serpentine Barrens Tour at Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves
Tuesday, May 13, 10:00 am -11:30 am (rain date: Tuesday, May 20)
Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves - Ages 12 and up
Pre-registration required - WillistownSerpentineTour.eventbrite.com

Join us for an enlightening tour of the Serpentine Barrens at Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves, hosted by our expert Willisbrook Preserve Manager Erin Smith. This special event is designed specifically for local residents who may be unfamiliar with this unique and fascinating ecosystem.

In early spring, the Serpentine Barrens come alive with a vibrant display of native plants and wildlife that thrive in this rare and distinctive landscape. Erin will guide you through the preserve, explaining the geological history that shaped the barrens and how it supports a variety of rare and specialized species. This tour will provide a deeper understanding of the preserve’s importance to local biodiversity, as well as conservation efforts underway to protect this natural treasure.

Whether you're a longtime resident or new to the area, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with the local environment and learn more about the incredible flora and fauna that make Serpentine & Willisbrook Preserves a hidden gem. Perfect for nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the natural world around them.

Willistown 2025 Summer Camps

Jump Start Sports provides Willistown's Summer Fun Camps, and we include more than sports! Children ages 5-12 will enjoy games, arts and crafts, water play, sports, free play, and more. We focus on cooperation, teamwork, sportsmcanship, and summertime fun. Themes change weekly. Each day features a full-camp game in the morning, skill instruction in a sport, and recreational games and activities.
RATES:
*Resident: Half Day $180 week or $1300 all 8 weeks
Full Day $225 week or $1600 all 8 weeks

Non-Resident: Half Day $190 week or $1350 all 8 weeks
Full Day $235 week or $1650 all 8 weeks

Before Camp Care: 8-9 AM $200 for all 8 weeks or $40/week
After Camp Care: 3-5:30 PM $350 for all 8 weeks or $60/week

RESIDENT DISCOUNT CODE:
*Willistown residents: email parks@willistown.pa.us with you name and address to receive the resident discount code.

SIGN UP
More information at willistown.pa.us/camps
Register at jumpstartsportsphilly.com

Save the dates for our upcoming summer park parties at Greentree Park.

Enjoy Willistown and surrounding area public lands:

Plan a get together and rent one of our park pavilions.
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.
Find a new or old favorite hike at Chester County's Parks & Trails guide.
Locate PA state parks through PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resource and their interactive map.