Dauphin County Commissioners invite residents to participate in the third public meeting for the Detweiler Park Master Site Plan on Sept. 21

HARRISBURG, PA (September 15, 2020) – As part of a 12-month master site plan process for Dauphin County’s Detweiler Park in Middle Paxton Township, County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III are hosting a series of public meetings that will help determine the future of the 411-acre park. 

The third public meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 21. An open house to view the initial plan will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Stone Stables at Fort Hunter Park. For everyone’s safety, face masks are required, and no more than 25 people will be admitted at one time. 

Following the open house, a virtual town hall meeting to discuss the plan and provide feedback is scheduled for the same evening from 7 to 9 p.m. Both video and phone conferencing options are available. Visit www.DetweilerPark.orgfor complete instructions on how to participate in the virtual public meeting. 

“We are excited at the progress of the master plan and thank everyone who has provided feedback and contributed to the process,” said Haste, who oversees the county’s Parks and Recreation Department. “To date, more than 900 residents have responded to the survey on the future of the park.” 

Acquired from the Detweiler Family in late 2016 and opened to the public in June of 2017, the park features seven miles of walking trails through various habitats and a fish hatchery maintained by the Dauphin County Anglers and Conservation Club on Clark’s Creek. Additionally, there are two fields, each approximately 75 acres. Since it opened, the number of park visitors has ranged from 400 to 1,000 per month, depending on the time of year. 

“Preserving green space and providing more opportunities for outdoor recreation improves our quality of life,” said Pries. “We encourage you to weigh in and let us know what you think.”

Simone Collins Landscape Architecture based on Norristown, PA, is working with a multi-disciplinary team to develop the master plan, which is scheduled to be completed by December 2020. A final public meeting has been scheduled for December 7.  

“We have a chance to preserve and enhance the county’s latest and largest park for future generations,” said Hartwick. “As we develop this master plan, we want to hear from county residents.”

The county received a $75,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the planning process, which the commissioners matched with a $75,000 gaming grant. 

To learn more about Detweiler Park, go to www.DetweilerPark.org.