| Berks County has 13 parks for you to visit and enjoy, including Gring's Mill Recreation Area, the Union Canal Walking & Bicycle Trail, Kaercher Creek Park, Antietam Lake and the Berks County Heritage Center. The following are some of the many parks in Reading and Berks County. |
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Allegheny Aqueduct Historical Park
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The Allegheny aqueduct is a massive 112 1/2 foot structure consisting of five red sandstone and brownstone arches done with the "keystone" theme.
Located adjacent to the aqueduct, the Beidler House was built in 1783 by Conrad Beidler to serve as a home for the operator of the nearby mill.
The Beidler House is open to the public for an "Open House" in the Spring for an Interpretive Program about the history of the house, mill and aqueduct conducted by costumed guides.
The Beidler House is also open in December for a "Colonial Candlelight Holiday Reception".
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Antietam Lake is a reservoir located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The lake was formerly owned by the city of Reading. It was purchased by Berks County in 2006.
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Berks County Heritage Center
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The Berks County Heritage Center is a historical interpretive complex commemorating important eras of our cultural history. The Gruber Wagon Works, a National Historic Landmark, the C. Howard Hiester Canal Center, Wertz's Covered Bridge, Melcher's Grist Mill, Deppen Cemetery, Bicentennial Eagle Memorial, Police and Veteran's Memorial, Doctor's Grove, the Distlefink and a salad and herb garden are all encompassed within the Heritage Center.
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The Berks Leisure Area is a recreational facility which includes a picnic pavilion, badminton and shuffleboard courts, quoit and horseshoe pits. The iron and wood footbridge provides access to the Union Canal Bicycle and Walking Trail on the opposite side of Tulpehocken Creek. This bridge marks the location of a mule bridge that was used in conjunction with the operation of the Union Canal. Crossing over the bridge from the Berks Leisure Area, the remains of lift Lock No. 51 of the Union Canal can be found.
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Blue Marsh Lake is a popular recreation site, offering hiking, boating, and fishing. The lake is also important for water supply, flood control, and wildlife habitat.
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The primary function of Camp Joy is to serve as a weekday resident/day camp during the summer months. Located on a 22-acre site behind the Berks Heim Annex, the camp is also available to organized groups for picnics, retreats, and other special events on summer weekends and throughout the week during the autumn, winter and spring. A central lodge houses kitchen and dining facilities, showers, restrooms and a multi-purpose room. Outdoor facilitites include three picnic pavillions, softball field, volleyball and basketball courts, quoit and horseshoe pits, a swimming pool and bathhouse, six overnight cabins, and an outdoor education.
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Set amidst the old, quaint and picturesque farmland of southeast Pennsylvania, French Creek offers two lakes--Hopewell and Scotts Run, extensive forests and almost 40 miles of hiking trails. Adjacent to the park lies Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site that features a cold-blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance.
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Gring's Mill Recreational Area
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The historic buildings at Gring's Mill Recreation Area house the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department's administration and maintenance offices. An information center, group meeting facilities, snack bar, and restrooms are located in the adjoining barn. Recreation facilities include six tennis courts, a softball field, an eighteen station exercise course, one sand volleyball court, and a ranch-theme children's play area. A game court area features volleyball and shuffleboard courts, quoits, and horseshoe pits.
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This 49-acre park is located in Longswamp Township. Hunsicker's Grove is available by reservation for large group picnics.
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Located just east of Hamburg along old Route 22, Kaercher Creek Park offers recreation opportunities in northern Berks County. The park is developed around a 40-acre lake, complete with a fishing dock, boat dock and a boat launching ramp. The lake is stocked with a variety of fish by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. Family oriented facilities feature a lodge, picnic pavilion, children's play apparatus, volleyball courts, sand volleyball court, quoit and horseshoe pits. Several summer concerts and interpretive programs are presented at Kaercher Creek Park.
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The Leesport Lock House, built in 1834 by the Schuylkill Navigation Company, was an integral part of canal development and community and rural life from 1820 to the early 1900's. Through local research and an archaeological study, the stone house has been restored to its condition in the 1880-1910 period when the canal still functioned and horse and wagon served as the major form of transportation.
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Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation
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This facility, located at the intersection of County and Upper Van Reed Roads in Bern Township, is comprised of four soccer fields (one lighted) and four ball fields - a Legion field, Little League field, lighted Softball field and Tee-ball field. Teams interested in scheduling use of these fields can call the Park Office at (610) 372-8939.
The YRF is also home to the annual "Go Fly A Kite" Day
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Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center
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The Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center offers environmental education programs. Contact the center office for a listing of upcoming educational programs. The center covers more than 665 acres of beautiful deciduous woodlands and coniferous plantations. The office and mansion parking lot are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. All other areas are open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
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Red Bridge Recreation Area
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The Red Bridge, originally known as Wertz's Bridge, at 204 feet is the longest single span covered bridge in Pennsylvania. Built in 1867 and one of five remaining in Berks County, the covered bridge allows pedestrians to pass over the Tulpehocken Creek to the Union Canal Bicycle and Walking Trail and the Berks County Heritage Center. The Red Bridge Recreation Area, located just south of Wertz's Bridge on Tulpehocken Road, consists of a picnic pavilion, badminton court, horseshoe and quoit pits and a children's play area with a fort and Native American log houses depicting the early settlement of Berks County.
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Stonecliffe Recreation Area
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Stonecliffe Recreation Area provides opportunities for family-oriented recreation and athletics. Facilities include an Action Park for skates and bikes, two volleyball courts, a basketball court, shuffleboard courts, and a combination football/soccer field. There is also a fitness station for both able-bodied and physically challenged persons. A centrally located children's play area is adjacent to the fishing dock and picnic area.
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Youth Recreation Facility
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This facility, located at the intersection of County and Upper Van Reed Roads in Bern Township, is comprised of four soccer fields (one lighted) and four ball fields - a Legion field, Little League field, lighted Softball field and Tee-ball field. Teams interested in scheduling use of these fields can call the Park Office at (610) 372-8939.
The YRF is also home to the annual "Go Fly A Kite" Day
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