Parks And Recreation: About Park Information Programs Bus Trips Special Events Forms/Rental Info

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Don't miss the upcoming PA Police Work Dog Association K9 Triathlon at Willow Mill Park on Saturday, September 25, 2010 from 9am - 2pm. Spectators can show up at any time. Officer Dave Jenkins and his K9 will be racing for Silver Spring Township. For registration or questions contact Corporal Dave Miller, Carlisle Police Department at 717.243.5252

 

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Office Hours:  Monday - Friday     8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Office Location: Silver Spring Township, 6475 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Staff:    Director - Jeff Williams   |   Assistant Director - Kristy Owens

                                                         

About the Department

Silver Spring Township currently owns and maintains six parks, providing a full range of recreational activities to residents. Parks in the Township range from small neighborhood parks to a community athletic facility. Overall, Silver Spring maintains over 180 acres of parkland and open space. About 55 additional acres are undeveloped. The six parks that are partially or fully developed are: Hidden Creek Park, Paul Walters Memorial Park, Pleasant View Park, Potteiger Park, Stony Ridge Park and Willow Mill Park. We also offer a diverse array of programs, special events and monthly bus trips throughout the year. Seasonal ski and amusement tickets are sold at a discounted rate for residents and non-residents.  


Recreation Advisory Council - RAC

RAC represents the community in providing recommendations regarding the development and improvement of recreational facilities, programs and services for Silver Spring Township. Meetings are open to the public. We welcome your input.

For a list of members and meeting minutes, go to the Boards and Committees page. Meetings are held at 6:00 pm in the Township Administration Building (Door on left), 6475 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. Meeting dates are as follows:

                                                               July 6, 2010                  October 5, 2010
                                                               August 3, 2010              November 9, 2010
                                                              September 14, 2010       December 7, 2010                 
                                                                               
    
Current Park Projects
The Department has created a parks development Strategic Plan to coordinate development of parkland and facilties.  In FY 2010, the Board has approved the further development of Stony Ridge Park with the Phase III plan.  Two parking lots, a picnic pavilion, walking path and four Little League fields will be constructed during the summer of 2010.  This spring, 25 trees will be planted along Bernheisel Bridge Road through the "TreeVitalize" grant program managed by Cumberland County Planning Department and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  A pathway extension is being added at Hidden Creek Park along the Condoquinet Creek.  Combining an established path with the new addition will create a half mile, scenic walkway.

Discounts for Pavilion, Court, Concession and Field Rentals
Facility, Pavilion and Field Rentals are available for weddings, reunions, birthday parties, sporting events, meetings, company picnics, special occasions and much more! Please call the Township office to check availability and to reserve your dates.  

Discount Amusement Tickets
Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, Cedar Point, Clementon Park, DelGrosso's Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hersheypark, Idlewild and Soak Zone, Kennywood, Knoebels, Morey's Pier, PA Renaissance Faire, Philadelphia Zoo, Pittsburg Zoo, Ride the Ducks - Philadelphia, Roundtop Mountain Adventures, Sandcastle, Six Flags America (MD), Six Flags Great Adventure (NJ). To check ticket availability and prices, please e-mail your request or call 717.766.0178. Tickets are available until the end of the season in September.

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Annual Events

Egg Hunt                                               March 17         10:30 am

Veteran's Memorial 5K                        May 22             9:00 am(Kids Fit Run at 10am)    

BBQ & Bluegrass                                July 10               5:00 pm

Willow Mill Fall Festival                     October 2          10 am-4 pm

Tree Lighting Ceremony                       December 1       6:30 pm


Huston Mill Capital Campaign - The Friends of Willow Mill

The purpose of the Friend of Willow Mill is to preserve and sensitively develop the historic Huston Mill and its environs at Willow Mill Park, as a renovated community facility. This facility will provide space for educational, environmental, historic, health and fitness programming. In addition, cultural programming to include art, dance, music and theatre special events is anticipated. The Friends $1.8 million capital campaign currently underway has raised almost $450,000 to date that equates to 25% of the goal. If you would like to be a part of this project or would like to send us a donation, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 717.766.0178 or e-mail Jeff Williams

View Photos of the Huston Mill

Conodoguinet Creek Clean-Up
On Saturday, May 15th, from 8:45 am - noonish, the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association and the Mechanicsburg Area Environmental Club will host the first clean-up of 2010. Anyone is welcome to help. At or before 8:45 am, park your vehicle and assemble by the Willow Mill Park picnic pavilion. Vans will then transport volunteers to the "entry point." Upon completion, vans will drive everyone back to their vehicles in Willow Mill Park. Consider wearing sturdy creek shoes, sun block, a hat with a visor, and appropriate gloves. The objects in the water and the creek's shale bed can be dangerously sharp. If you have any questions, please contact creek clean-up leader, Paul Garret; 717.737.2554 (home), or e-mail paulgarrett40@comcast.net. Consider becoming a member of the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association.

Job Opportunities
Instructors  Do you have a special talent or unique skill? We are looking for instructors interested in teaching early childhood, youth, adult and/or senior adult educational or fitness & wellness  programs. Please complete an Instructor Proposal Form and send to Silver Spring Parks and Recreation, 6475 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 or fax to 717.766.1696. 

Dogs in the Park
Dogs are permitted at Willow Mill Park and Pleasant View Park. Dogs must be leashed at all times and not walked in the playground or athletic field areas. Bags for waste disposal will be provided on site. Dog owners are asked to clean-up after their dog and encourage other owners to do the same. All other parks remain closed to pets per Township ordinance.

 

SPORTS AND LEISURE RESOURCES

Local Sports Organizations
Eagle Soccer Academy - call Coach Billman at 717.258.0076
(HMMS) Hampden, Middlesex, Monroe, Silver Spring Soccer
(SSYBA) Silver Spring Youth Baseball Association 
(CVMFA) Cumberland Valley Midget Football Association 
(CVYRA) Cumberland Valley Youth Rugby Association
(CV Softball) Cumberland Valley Girls Softball
(CVYBA) Cumberland Valley Youth Basketball Association
(CVLAX) Cumberland Valley Youth Lacrosse Club
(CVYWA) Cumberland Valley Youth Wrestling Association
(CVYCA) Cumberland Valley Youth Cheerleading Association

Connect with other Recreation-Related Resources...

American Canoe Association

American Trails

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Boy Scouts of America 

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

City of Harrisburg - Parks and Recreation

Climbnasium

Conodoguinet Creek Water Trail - Access Points

Conodoguinet Creek - Water Levels (presented by NOAA)

Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association 

Crone's Tae Kwon Do - New Kingstown

Cumberland County Conservation District

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

Earth Science Gateway for a Safer Outdoor Experience (USGS Recreation)

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Huston Mill, Willow Mill Park - Photos

Locate the nearest Geocache

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

PA Fish & Boat Commission

Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS)

Rich Valley Golf Course - Mechanicsburg

Trails Across the Country

U.S. Census Bureau

 

Silver Spring Township Department of Parks and Recreation, 6475 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

717.766.0178 (phone)  |  717.766.1696 (fax)