Amy Stimeling
Connie Cieszynski
Doug Goodlander
Steven Baumgardner
Jay McKiernan
Judy Crocenzi
Kim Fiesta Parks & Recreation Director
(one vacant spot needing to be filled)
Department Profile
The Newberry Township Recreation Office
is located within the Newberry Township Administration Building, 1915
Old Trail Road, Etters, PA 17319. The department may be contacted by
telephone at 717-938-6992 or 717-266-4698.
The Newberry Township Recreation Board was created in 1990. The results
of surveys and public meetings indicated the desire for recreation and
leisure activities as a high priority. In order to better understand
those needs a citizen’s advisory board was created, thus the Newberry
Township Parks and Recreation Board. The Board consists of seven
volunteer members appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a term
of five years. The Parks and Recreation Board meets the third Monday of
each month at 6:00 PM. The public is encouraged to attend.
The Township of Newberry presently maintains and operates 40 acres of
public parkland. Park facilities range from wetlands and woodlands to
established baseball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a multi-use
and nature trail, pavilions and playgrounds. Our parkland includes
Shelley, White Oak and Cly with preliminary easements for walking trails
in some of the newer developments.
Park Locations and Facilities
Our oldest park, Shelley, is located on Cassel Road in the southern part
of the Township. With unprecedented insight, Buck and Kate Shelley
donated the 36 acre parcel in 1992. Shelley Park is adjacent to the York
Haven Elementary School and the Borough of York Haven. Until this year
the park had 3 baseball fields, a multi-use soccer field, a concession
stand, a storage facility and a ½ mile bituminous walking trail. A
pavilion and grill are also available. With the receipt of a PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources matching fund grant (DCNR)
in 2005, the Township has added a tot lot. The tot lot houses slides,
climbing equipment, swings, including an ADA accessible swing, and
spring toys. Another new addition in 2005 is a regulation basketball
court. Approximately 1/3 of the park is open woodland and offers an
exceptional area to picnic, cross-country ski and sled ride. Eagle Scout
Troop members, Brad and Travis Peters and Justin Shellenberger, provided
the pavilion and benches, trash can liners and the new (2005) nature
trail. Within the next year plans are underway for the additions of
picnic pavilions, a youth playground, a volleyball court and a
skateboard park. Plans for Shelley Park’s development can be viewed at
the Township’s Administration Building.
The Tot Lot was constructed in 2005 as a result of a PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources matching grant. The Tot Lot contains climbing equipment, belt and tot swings, as well as a handicapped accessible swing. the play area is for children ages 2 to 5 years old.
The Shelly Basketball Court was constructed in the fall of 2005 and was a much needed addition to the Township's recreation system. The court is protected by an eight foot fence and surrounded on 3 sides by woods.
Cly Park is located at the southern end of Goldsboro Borough, adjacent to Riverside Community and bordering the Susquehanna River. The park was donated to the Township in 2001 by the “Friends of Cly”, an organization developed in 1950 to provide recreation for the Cly community. According to local resident lore, the 6 acre park is one of “the best built” ball fields in the area. The year 2005 brought the addition of a pavilion and a basketball court. Future construction will include a playground, utilizing funds from a PA Department of Community Development Grant, and a volleyball court.
Located in the Valley Green Community on White Oak Drive and paralleling Fishing Creek, is the ‘pocket park’ of White Oak. White Oak Park is the result of resident efforts to turn an abandoned, privately owned property into a park for children and families to gather. The residents formed a committee, held a carnival for start-up funds and then approached the Newberry Township Board of Supervisors for assistance. With great commitment, the Township and Community worked together to apply for a grant from DCNR. The Township agreed to match the grant funds and White Oak park construction began! The park houses a basketball court, swings, a playground, spring toys, a bituminous walking trail, wetlands and picnic tables.
Park Funding
For the most part, funding for the development, acquisition and maintenance of township parks is generated through a fees-in-lieu ordinance. Fees per housing unit are set yearly by the Board of Supervisors. Developers of property can pay a fee or donate property as set forth in the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Park funding is also supplied through grant acquisition. Though most require a matching amount.
In order to defray maintenance costs of parkland, user fees for ball fields and picnic pavilions are assessed. For more information, please contact the Newberry Township Administration Building.
Programs and Activities
While Newberry Township, its surrounding municipalities, and the West Shore School District provide recreation facilities, it is the West Shore Recreation Commission who organizes and provides for the activities. The need for recreational opportunities motivated an inter-municipality agreement between 7 municipalities and the West Shore School District. With each Township paying a per diem to the West Shore Recreation Commission, resident user fees are kept lower and the Commission is able to provide 100’s of activities. Those activities include everything from swimming to aerobics, horseback riding, ticket discounts, sport leagues, pet classes, summer programs and travel opportunities. It is a tremendous service and residents are encouraged to take advantage of their many opportunities. For more information you may contact the West Shore Recreation Commission at 717-920-9515 or simply log on www.westshorerec.org. Registrations are accepted on-line.
Athletic Associations
There are presently 4 area athletic associations. They provide soccer and softball for area youth.
• Northeastern Youth Softball/Soccer Association
C/O 140 Meeting House Road
Manchester, PA 17345
717-266-1293
• Red Land Baseball/ Softball Association
PO Box 456
Lewisberry, PA 17339
• Red Land Soccer Association
205 Old Quaker Road
Etters, PA 17319
717-938-5320
• Red Land Girls Softball Association
PO Box 181
Lewisberry, PA 17339