JULY 2024

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS MEET WITH PennDOT DISTRICT 6 DELEGATES

On June 20, 2024, key officials from West Pikeland Township held a productive meeting with the leadership of PennDOT District 6 to discuss pressing infrastructure concerns and chart a path forward for the community's development and safety.

The meeting was attended by Vice-President of the West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors Harold Hallman, Township Manager Joe Romano, Public Works Foreman Spike Cowan, Police Chief Shane Clark, and Township Engineer Dan Daley. The delegation met with representatives from PennDOT District 6 to highlight local infrastructure challenges and collaborate on potential solutions.

ENJOY TOWNSHIP PARKS AND TRAILS THIS SUMMER

Did you know the township has three parks and miles of trails? Check out the route for your next hike or visit a park here

SUMMER IN THE PARK SERIES @ PINE CREEK PARK

Check out the lineup this year! These wonderful performers put on fun shows for the whole family. No registration required.

Summer in the Park is brought to you by Chester Springs Library and the West Pikeland Township Parks and Recreation Committee.

All events begin at 10:30am

Join us for a musical storytelling performance from Mister Boom Boom from Music Play Patrol! We'll use our imaginations, learn about friendship, and even take part in a parade!

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No Registration Required. Recommended for Children of All Ages.

June 26 - Talewise Science Heroes

Science and stories collide in this interactive STEM show!

Join Talewise on a treasure-hunting adventure deep within the jungle! The audience will help the performer act out the tale, as they use the events in the story to explore several exciting science concepts including air pressure, energy transfer, physical & chemical changes, and much more! 

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No Registration Required. Recommended for Children of All Ages.

July 17 - Digger & David

Digger and David are back again to perform their BRAND-NEW show: Eat Like a Pirate! This show is great for little ones featuring good dose of puppetry, silly-gentle humor, and a little bit of wonder and magic.

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No Registration Required

July 24 - Repco Wildlife

Repco Wildlife is bringing their travelling zoo show to Pine Creek Park! They'll show off a variety of animals including snakes, lizards, and turtles and allow the audience to pet and see the animals up close. This is a great opportunity to meet animals you might not see every day!

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No Registration Required. Recommended for Children of All Ages. 

July 31 - Magic of Ed Schmitt

Join us for a spectacular show by Magician Ed Schmitt! There'll be laughs, tricks, and maybe even a furry surprise!

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No Registration Required. Recommended for Children of All Ages. 

August 7 - Mother Goose

Enjoy rhymes, fairytales, and audience participation with Mother Goose. There'll be lots of laughter and fun for children!

This program will be held at Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs.

No registration required 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ANNOUNCE REVISED MEETING SCHEDULE

On May 24, 2024, the West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors announced a revised meeting schedule for the summer months. Board of Supervisors meetings have been cancelled for July 1, 2024, and August 5, 2024.

Previously scheduled meetings for July 15, and August 19, 2024 remain unchanged and will take place as scheduled.

TOWNSHIP CONTINUES "DID YOU KNOW" CAMPAIGN

The West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors has launched a multi-step campaign series aimed at providing township residents with a clearer understanding of their annual property tax bills. Recognizing the importance of transparency and community engagement, the initiative seeks to demystify the complex components of Property Taxes: School, County and Township. The campaign series will also explain township expenses and how our township compares to neighboring townships.

Residents can expect to receive three postcards during this campaign, which ends in September. Additionally, our website will be updated for each informational phase, so check back often!

The first phase of the Did You Know Campaign explained the different types of property taxes township residents receive. It will also explain township expenses. You can view the 2024 West Pikeland Township budget here

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The second phase of the Did You Know Campaign provided a comparison between our township and neighboring townships regarding millage rates.  Public comment will be available on this page and by email.

The third phase of the Did You Know Campaign will share the public comments the Township has collected and what we have heard from residents. It will also discuss how proposed changes, if any, will affect residents.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL NEWS

SUSTAINABLE SATURDAY

July 20 @ 10:30am

Join us at the Chester Springs Library (1709 Art School Road, Chester Springs) to learn more about installing Rain Gardens and Native Plantings at your home. After a brief introduction at the library the group will caravan to a resident’s home to see an actual installation.

September 21 @ 10:30am



Join us at the Chester Springs Library (1709 Art School Road, Chester Springs) to learn more about installing a solar and battery backup system in your home. After a brief introduction at the library the group will caravan to a resident’s home to see a system in operation.

Join the Environmental Advisory Council as they present an ongoing event series, Sustainable Saturdays, April through September 2024. At these events, township residents can learn about sustainable systems for their homes by attending several speaker series at either the township building or the Chester Springs Library. In addition, attendees will be able to visit various West Pikeland Township resident’s homes for demonstrations of sustainable systems. This series will occur throughout the summer as residents and experts share their knowledge on creating a sustainable home. Sponsored by the EAC and Chester Springs Library

Sustainable Saturdays through the summer will highlight what some Township residents have done to reduce their energy consumption and save money. The residents will give an introductory talk at the Chester Springs Library and then take the group to their home to see the ideas and systems in practice.

LIGHTS OUT FOR LIGHTNING BUGS

Starting June 1 thru the month of June and part of July, you can do your part to help protect and conserve the fireflies in your backyard.

The decline of fireflies world wide is due to several factors: habitat loss, pesticides, and light pollution among others. Lights interfere with the mating behavior of fireflies. Fireflies’ lighting displays are how they find mates and bright artificial light diminishes their visibility and therefore interferes with their mating ritual.

We can help by simply turning off outdoor lighting during the mating season. If you can’t turn off your lights consider: using light only if needed, directing light so it shines only where needed, using the lowest light level possible, and using timers and motion detectors so lights are turned off when not necessary.

Reducing or eliminating lighting also helps other nocturnal species of insects, birds, and mammals. Humans also benefit from darkness by improving natural circadian rhythms and a host of other health benefits.

We hope you will join us in the Lights Out For Lightning Bugs this June and July

Go outside and watch for fireflies and enjoy the dark skies in your favorite park or backyard

Meeting information, including agendas, can be found on our website

Summer Fun at the Library

By: Susie Hawkins

Summer Reading is in full swing! So far, we’ve made sand art, danced with Mr. Boom Boom, gone on a dinosaur egg hunt, practiced yoga with Miss Amanda, and so much more. View our calendar here to explore all the events we have coming up!

Highlights for July:

July 8 & 9 @ 2-4pm: 2-Day LEGO Stop Motion Video Class - Learn the fundamentals of animation and create a LEGO stop motion video with Kebiru Sketch’s Keville Bowen. For grades 3 and up. Register here.

July 17, 24, & 31 @ 10:30am: Summer in the Park Series - Join us at Pine Creek Park for family friendly performances by Digger and David, Repco Wildlife, and Magician Ed Schmitt! Recommended for children of all ages. No registration. Summer in the Park is co-sponsored by the library and the West Pikeland Parks and Recreation Committee.

July 20 @ 10:30am: Rain Gardens and Native Plantings - Join the West Pikeland Township Environmental Advisory Council for a Sustainable Saturday Discussion about planning a rain garden using native plants. For adults. No registration. Held at the library.

July 23 @ 12:30 & 1:30pm: STEM Spark - Habitat Engineering - Learn about elements of survival in an ecosystem and build an animal home with STEM Spark. For school-age children. Registration required. For 12:30 session register here. For 1:30 session register here.

If you haven’t joined our Summer Reading Program yet, there’s plenty of time! Pick up a reading log at the library or download the pdf and log the reading you’ve done since June 8. If you’d prefer to track your reading online, try out Beanstack. Read to earn raffle tickets towards prizes in our End-of-Summer prize raffle. Thank you to everyone who’s donated prizes so far! View the prizes on our website or stop by the library to browse them on display.



Stay cool, and we hope to see you soon!

Thursday, June 27 Upper Uwchlan

Explore the historic farmhouse, barn, and corncrib of Upland Farm successfully preserved and adaptively reused as a park with hiking trails. Both floors of the historic barn and two of the first floor rooms in the historic farmhouse will be open for the tour.

Parking & Registration: Upland Farm Park, 301 Pottstown Pike, Chester Springs

Thursday, July 11 West Bradford

Highland Orchards has been a long-time staple in the West Bradford Township community since 1941. Visitors will be guided through 200 acres of orchards and farmland on wagons to learn more about the agribusiness and how it has enabled the preservation of land, structures, and viewsheds.

Parking & Registration: 1000 Marshallton Thorndale Road, West Chester

Thursday, July 18 East Whiteland

Explore the Village of White Horse, mapped and settled since the early 18th century. Primarily an agricultural and limestone mining area in 1777, the Village became associated with the Battle of the Brandywine, the Battle of the Clouds and Paoli, all in September of that year, and was a prime military and supply center.

Parking & Registration: Park at 969 (Home of the Sparrow) or 967 (adapted barn) E. Swedesford Road, Exton. Volunteers will direct parking. The tour will start in the area of these two buildings.

Thursday, July 25 Uwchlan

Tour the Baird House/Uwchlan Township Building and grounds. This property dates from 1735 with a log house that remains inside, existing alongside its other early additions. The grounds will be open for exploration and contain connecting ponds, outbuildings, log house replica, gardens, and the Veterans' Memorial.

Parking & Registration: 715 N. Ship Road, Exton

Thursday, August 1 Tredyffrin

The tour will focus on the Baptist Church in the Great Valley, founded in 1711 by Welsh settlers. Visitors will tour the 1805 structure, as well as learn the stories of burial ground residents, including: Rev. David Jones (d. 1820), chaplain to Gen. Anthony Wayne and Rev. Leonard Fletcher (d. 1859), leader of the anti-slavery Chester County Wilberforce Society.

Parking & Registration: 945 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon

Thursday, August 8 North Coventry

Enjoy a village walk at Coventry Woods. Multiple programs will be offered and focus on the Lenape presence in Chester County, the early iron industry in northern Chester County, "Free Love Valley" and the Battleaxe Movement, and Hopewell Big Woods, Camp Fernbrook and today's Coventry Woods.

Parking & Registration: 1954 St. Peter's Road, Pottstown