COUNTY PARKS

Chester County Parks & Recreation Department

235 W. Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382 - 610-344-6415

Hibernia County Park 610.384.0290

800 acres of woodlands and meadows. Hibernia Mansion, an 18th century Historical ironmaster's  home, overlooks the park. Miles of multi-use trails, open fields, picnic areas, primitive family camping areas, playground areas, children's pond, Brandywine Creek, hayrides (Apr.-Nov.) and five pavilions are scattered throughout the park.

Nottingham County Park 610.932.9195

The oldest county park, its 651 acres encompasses an extensive bike trail system, two family camp areas, fishing in the 2.6 acre MacPherson Lake, 8 miles of multi-use trails winding through the pitch pine forest in the Serpentine Barrens; plus nine pavilions and sports and playground areas.

Springton Manor Farm 610-942-2450

This 300-acre demonstration farm features a petting area, agricultural museum and outbuildings. Dedicated in 1988, it is the newest county park and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Struble Trail (c/o Springton Manor Farm) 610.942.2450

This 2 1/2 mile nature trail, parallels the east branch of the Brandywine Creek, providing walking, jogging and biking opportunities. There are plans to extend the trail to 16 miles long.

Struble Lake (c/o Warwick County Park) 610.469-9461

Owned by the PA Fish and Boat Commission, it is associated with Warwick County Park, and lies due south of Morgantown. This 146-acre lake supports a wide variety of fish and facilities include picnic tables and a boat-launch ramp. The Chester County Parks & Recreation Dept.. sponsors activities year-round in the park.

Warwick County Park 610.469.9461

This 455-acre park includes 2 miles of scenic French Creek (stocked annually) and is a favorite spot for fisherman. The Horse Shoe Trail, which extends from Valley Forge to Harrisburg, joins the many miles of multi-use trail system in the park.

STATE PARKS

PA Parks & Recreation

Brandywine Battlefield State Park 610.459.3342

French Creek State Park 610.582.1514

Located in Elverson, this 7,339-acre park is a hiker's paradise with over 40 miles of trails. Water-activity areas include the 68-acre Hopewell Lake, for fishing, boating and boat rental and the 21-acre Scotts Run Lake, which is strictly for fishing. Other amenities include camping areas, cabins, 18-hole Frisbee golf course, informal athletic field, football-size swimming pool, hunting and trapping and horseback riding is permitted.

Marsh Creek State Park 610.458.8515

This 1700+ acre park offers numerous recreational activities for both summer and winter enthusiasts. The 55-acre lake offers two boat launches and 216 mooring slips; boat rentals include canoes, wind-surfers, sailboats and pedal boats; swimming pools; picnic areas; playground; 6 miles of bridle and hiking trails. Winter sports such as ice skating, ice boating and ice fishing are popular, as well as sledding and tobogganing on a designated 7 acres.

State Gamelands #43 1.800.228.0791

Located near Elverson, PA, this 1,060 acre area is managed by the PA Game Commission. Although it is basically used for hunting, the area also offers a shooting range, and opportunities for hiking, bicycling and cross-country activities.

White Clay Creek Preserve 610.255.5415

The Du Pont Company donated these lands in 1984 to try and preserve the area's diverse and unique plant and animal species. The White Clay Creek valley forms the core of the preserve and is the only land designated as such in the PA Bureau of State Parks system. The preserve includes 8 miles of hiking and bridle trails, although fishing is the major activity -- White Clay Creek is stocked with trout five times a year.

OTHER PARKS

Hopewell Village National Historic Park, Elverson, PA

This restored, 214-acre park, is typical of an American iron-making community in 1820-1840.

Valley Forge National Historic Park Valley Forge, PA

A 2,700 acre area, which was the site of George Washington's winter encampment in 1777-1778

Everhart Park West Chester, PA

Hoopes Park West Chester, PA

Marshall Square Park West Chester, PA

OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES:

Skiing -- The Pocono Mountain Resort lie just 1 hour to the North

Ballooning -- Many enthusiast live in the area, making the sport and business of ballooning a year-round event.

River Journeys -- Canoeing or tubing down the Brandywine River is a popular and favorite warm-weather pastime.

Equestrian Events -- Chester County is horse country, offering an abundance of riding stables, breeding farms, training facilities and horse sports of all types. Special summer Horse Show events are:

Radnor Hunt Races (racing) -- Spring

Willowdale Steeplechases (Racing) -- Mother;s Day

The Devon Horse Show -- End Of May

Brandywine Carriage Driving Show -- Mid-June

Ludwig's Corner Hose Show -- Labor Day Weekend

The American Gold Cup -- Mid-September

The Laurels CDE (Combined Driving) -- Mid-September

Dressage at Devon -- Mid-September

Radnor Three Day Event (Combined Training) -- October

Licenses must be obtained if you wish to take advantage of the abundant hunting and fishing in Chester County.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses are available at most sporting goods stores and the Department of Licenses in the Courthouse. In addition to the fee, hunters are asked to show proof of a prior hunting license, proof of Hunter Education Training, or to sign an affidavit stating they attended the training.

HUNTING - Resident Adult $12.75, Resident Junior $ 5.75, Resident Senior $10.75

FISHING - Resident $7.00, Resident Senior (65+) $ 4.00

Department of Licenses, County Courthouse
High & Market Street
West Chester, PA

Arrowhead Golf Course Douglasville, PA PUBLIC $14.50 - $21.00

Chester Valley Golf Club Malvern, PA

Coatesville Country Club Coatesville, PA

Downingtown Country Club Downingtown, PA PUBLIC $25 - $49

Glen Hardie Country Club Wayne, PA

Hartfeld National Golf Course Avondale, PA PUBLIC $50 - $95

Hershey's Mill Golf Club West Chester, PA

Ingleside Golf Club Thorndale, PA PUBLIC $15 - $22

Kennett Square Golf & Country Club Kennett Square, PA

Kimberton Golf Club Kimberton, PA PUBLIC $ 9.00 - $25.00

Loch Naim Golf Course Avondale, PA PUBLIC $14.00 - $24.00

Meadowbrook Golf Club Phoenixville, PA PUBLIC $ 9.50 - $17.00

Moccasin Run Golf Course Atglen, PA PUBLIC $15.00 - $28.00

Penn Oaks Country Club West Chester, PA

Phoenixville Country Club Valley Forge, PA

Pickering Valley Golf Club Phoenixville, PA PUBLIC $20 - $37

Radley Run Country Club West Chester, PA

Saint Davids Golf Club Wayne, PA

Spring Hallow Golf Course Spring City, PA PUBLIC $14 - $20

Spring Lake Recreation Center Concord Twp. PUBLIC $7

Valley Forge Golf Club King of Prussia, PA PUBLIC $19 - $23

Waynesborough Country Club Paoli, PA

West Chester Golf & Country Club West Chester, PA

White Manor Country Club Malvern, PA

Whitford Country Club Exton, PA

Wyncote Golf Club Oxford, PA Semi-Private $49 - $75

Golf Association of Philadelphia 610.687-2340

700 Croton Road

Wayne, PA 19087

Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville PA 610.384.5084

This facility includes 2 gymnasiums, a 3,200 sq. ft. fitness center (with over 26 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, strength-training machines and free weight training area), a six-lane pool, 2 racquetball courts, child care center and nursery school. There is also 2 outdoor pools, sports fields, 4 tennis courts and a jogging trail.

Kennett Area YMCA, Kennett Square, PA 610.444.1930

A branch of the Central Chester County YMCA, this center offers youth sports programs, day camps, a summer backyard pool program, teen center and Red Cross safety classes. There is also a fitness center equipped with Cybex machines, cardiovascular circuit, aerobics classes, sauna and steam rooms and nearby child care available.

Lionville Community YMCA, Exton, PA 610.363.9622

The facility offers pre-school and after-school programs, summer camp programs, as well as youth and family programs. There is a full-size outdoor pool and 2 above-ground teaching pools, open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A number of aquatic programs are held at the center, supported by a competitive swim team.

Lionville Community YMCA, Eagleview, PA 610.458.9090

The YMCA in the Eagleview Corporate Center offers a full-service Fitness Center equipped with the latest in exercise technology including Cybex Strength systems, Keiser Strength systems, Paramount Free Weights, dumbbells, recumber and upright bikes, treadmills, stair climbers and rowers. The center also offers aerobics classes, racquetball courts, saunas, and licensed child care and baby-sitting services.

Phoenixville Area YMCA, Phoenixville, PA 610.933.5861

This YMCA is located in a 51-acre park-like setting with outdoor facilities including 4 swimming pools, 3 softball fields, 2 large picnic pavilions, 4 tennis courts, a children's playground, Dek hockey rink, 2 sand volleyball courts, soccer fields and a basketball court. Indoor facilities include 2 Olympic-size pools, 2 large gymnasiums, an elevated 16th-of-a-mile jogging/walking track, 2 racquetball courts, a game room, Olympic free weight room, the Wellness Center and 6 locker rooms.

Southern Chester County YMCA, West Grove, PA 610.869.8001

Affiliated with the Brandywine YMCA, this facility includes both indoor and outdoor pools, outdoor basketball courts, and a Nautilus fitness center with Universal and Nautilus machines, Life-cycles, abdominal machines , stair climbers and wind racers.

Upper Main Line YMCA, Berwyn, PA 610.647-YMCA

Facilities include a gymnasium and a CAM II Fitness Center. There are also, 20 outdoor tennis courts, 4 indoor tennis courts, 3 racquetball courts, 2 squash courts, 2 indoor pools, 8 outdoor pools, an outdoor track and picnic area.

YWCA of Central Chester County, West Chester, PA 610.692.8440

Branch facility includes 2 indoor pools for competitive teams, recreation, exercise, instruction and rental; full-size gymnasium with regulation basketball court and suspended running/walking track; 3 racquetball courts, 1 squash court; fitness center with ÒNext generation' Nautilus strength training circuit; free weight room, aerobic studio with free classes; private dressing locker room and handicapped accessible. Baby-sitting playroom and indoor playground are also available, as well as a full-day licensed Child Care Department serving infant - school-age.

YWCA of Greater Chester County

Distinct from its counterpart the YMCA, the YWCA offers programs and services designed to empower women of all ages and their families, emphasizing peace, justice, freedom, dignity and the elimination of racism.

Core programs include: Homeshare, mother's Center, WIN, Community Outreach and Mentoring. Seasonal programs include: SEP, women's Conference, Womenfree, New Choices, Science in the Summer, Health & Fitness, Innerfaith housing Assistance Corp., English as a Second Languar and Adult Literacy Tutoring.

Recipients of these programs are primarily women (annual income up to $12K) who are going through some transition in life such as divorce, being widowed, being released from institutions or shelters, etc..