PARKS & RECREATION

When it comes time for outdoor fun, there are lots of options in the Greencastle-Antrim area, whether your idea of recreation is taking a nice long walk, hitting a few balls or just sitting on a bench enjoying the fresh air.

JEROME R. KING PLAYGROUND

Due to generous donors, Greencastle has a community park that is not maintained with tax dollars, but offers a large parcel of land for many types of recreation. The Jerome R. King Playground is located at 240 N. Carlisle St., with its origins dating to 1922 when David D. King, a Greencastle native living in Chicago at the time, gave the little town $5,000 in memory of his brother Jerome. The idea he had was to develop a playground for the children of the community. This generous donation was used to purchase five acres of land and with additional donations from residents a play area was ready for the 1923 Old Home Week celebration.

In 1941 Jesse McLanahan Nelson donated a wooded plot of land just south of the original playground as a tribute to her son Daniel. This area quickly became a favorite picnic area for the community and in 1946 a large rustic pavilion was constructed and named after the family. In this immediate area a band shell was constructed in 1956 as a memorial to the veterans of the Greencastle-Antrim community.

Another expansion of the playground occurred in 1962 as land to the north of the original five acres was purchased with funds donated by Mrs. Frances Winger Davison as a memorial to her late husband William R. Davison Esq. On this tract of land Mrs. Jesse Spielman Omwake donated funds to erect a large picnic pavilion in memory of, and named for, her late husband J. Edward Omwake, who served as the fifth president of the playground.

The final acquisition came in 1973 with the purchase of approximately two acres of land next to the Edwin Bittner Bridge that connects to U.S. 11. This land was purchased from Penn Central Corp. with public donations and a grant from Greencastle Borough Council.

Today the Jerome R. King Playground is comprised of 15 acres, with three large picnic pavilions, three separate children’s play areas, newly renovated tennis courts, basketball courts, softball field and the original baseball diamond.

Jerome R. King Playground is within walking distance for people who live in Greencastle.

The playground is open year-round from dawn to dusk, but people can stay later for scheduled events, such as the new movie series, which drew an average of 225 people to the park on three nights in the summer of 2022.

Barkdoll Field is part of the original five-acre playground. In 1999 it was named after Charles “Whitey” Barkdoll, who was active in Greencastle baseball his whole life, and for many years served in various capacities on the playground board. The field is home to the American Legion Post 373 team, GABSA senior league and other area organized baseball teams. It also is host to the OHW old-timers game and various weekend baseball tournaments. The iconic wooden grandstand provides shade from the sun as spectators enjoy America’s favorite pastime.

The playground is managed by the Jerome R. King Playground Association, a small group of volunteers that maintains, makes improvements and additions to the playground.

It seeks to provide a safe, clean and welcoming environment for family picnics, athletic events, children’s play time and traditional get-togethers for the residents of Greencastle, Antrim Township and outlying communities. The playground is in walking distance for many people, and a short drive for the rest. There is something for everyone, absolutely free.

Anyone interested in reserving a pavilion may call 717-597-8648. As a

reminder, the association sends out an annual spring fundraising appeal but donations are welcome at any time as this serves as the primary source of income to keep the playground a beautiful recreational asset to the community.

ANTRIM TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

Antrim Township Community Park (ATCP) is the largest of three parks in the township. It is located on Grant Shook Road with 136 acres of open space.

Since the land purchase in 1999, the board of supervisors has worked hard to develop the land into a park for people with many recreational interests. The work was completed in phases, using township money and grants.

The park features paved walking and biking paths, playground equipment, trails to the nearby Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge Park, pavilions, soccer/multi-use fields, softball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts. An access road runs through the entire park, and multiple parking lots have been installed. Woods line two sides of the park to remind visitors of the rural setting.

A most unusual feature of ATCP is Whispering Falls Disc Golf Course. The 717 Flying Disc Club (named after the area code) proposed the idea in 2006, and was actively involved in its creation. It has 27 holes winding through the wooded area, and players of all abilities are encouraged to try the sport. The goal is to land a flying disc, slightly more high-tech than a Frisbee, into baskets perched on poles. The club hosts tournaments and draws large crowds to Antrim Township each year.

A popular feature is the dog park, which has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset.

The fields and pavilions may be reserved for a fee by filling out a form, which is available at the township office at 10655 Antrim Church Road, or online at www.twp.antrim.pa.us.

Antrim has a park committee which analyzes needs and makes recommendations for features and improvements. A parks director manages Antrim’s parks. Part-time employees open and close the park, and do some mowing.

In addition to the Antrim Township Community Park and nearby Martin’s Mill Bridge Park, the township also owns Enoch Brown Park.

Located as the site of the 1764 massacre of schoolmaster Enoch Brown and 10 of his students, the park features a common grave and monument in their memory. Its 3 quiet, wooded acres are improved with walking trails, play equipment and a pavilion.

Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1849 over the Conococheague Creek, was restored in 1965. In 1972, the bridge was severely damaged by Hurricane Agnes and, once again, rebuilt.

OUT AND ABOUT

Recreation is important for people of all ages. The Greencastle-Antrim community has several outlets for play, both serious and amateur. People may participate in many activities throughout the year.

Summer is a popular time to exercise by having fun. Swimming is one such outlet. The Moss Spring swimming pool is for members only, but they are allowed to bring guests. Anyone interested in purchasing a membership may leave their name at the pool. The season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Lakes are in short supply in the immediate area, but many people don’t think twice about running up to Cowans Gap for an afternoon of swimming and lounging. The manmade lake of 42 acres was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression, and has been a respite on hot summer days ever since.

Closer to home, rafting, kayaking and tubing on the east branch of the Conococheague Creek in Antrim Township are a popular warm-weather activity. Locally, the Conococheague in known as “the Jig” and floating the Jig” is a summertime rite of passage.

Greencastle Golf Club is a 200-acre, 18-hole golf course with a Par 72 layout on 6,900 yards. It may be a difficult course for some, with lakes and ponds on 10 holes, but avid golfers love the challenge. With Pennsylvania weather, the course is open year round. There are a number of other golf courses nearby, including Whitetail near Mercersburg, which is just down the road from Whitetail Ski Resort for winter fun.

The young are not neglected as far as sports opportunities. Youth athletic leagues are sponsored by community organizations, with soccer, baseball, softball and football in particular reaching many boys and girls. The sports are played on school property or at area parks or on private fields.

Parents volunteer as coaches, help with fundraisers, and transport their kids to practice and games. The activities develop early skills for the players, and the programs feed the high school teams.

People who put the rubber to the road have many chances to compete in fun runs or walks. Various organizations sponsor events, usually to raise money, but athletes register for the love of the sport. The Greencastle Flyers Turkey Trot in November attracts 500 people for a 5K run and a 1K kids race and the Kaley Run in August has been going on for 30 years.

And as always, people can just stroll through their neighborhoods or carefully along country roads, taking in the scenery as they get in some exercise.