A Look at Our Hometown Parks, Pocono Living

Pocono Living Magazine©
is published in the Pocono Mountains of
Northeastern Pennsylvania by
Pocono Mts. Publications, LLC
1929 North Fifth Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-424-1000
[email protected]
Publisher/Editor
Larry R. Sebring
Assistant Editor/Proofreader
Cheryl Feder
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Mark Feder
Graphic Design
Barbara McMahon
Photographers
Robert Bruce
Dean Curtis
Vinzon Lee
Marlana Holsten
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Pocono Living Magazine© is published bi-monthly and distributed in northeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New Jersey. The editorial and opinions of
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photo:
MarlAnA Holsten
October/November 2009
What’s Inside
2 A Look at Our Hometown Parks
featuring the Stroud Region
12 Scenic Fall Day Trips
14 Fall is For Planting
16 Monroe County Environmental
Education Center Fall Programs
18 Bring Back the
Front Porch
by Suzanne McCool
20 The Poconos Are
Just Ducky
“Success is not the
key to happiness.
Happiness is the key
to success. If you
love what you are
doing, you will be
successful.”
ALBERT SCHWEITZER
by Katherine Uhler
23Pocono Environmental
Education Center Events Calendar
On Our Cover:
Mallard Ducks are well
represented in the many
ponds and streams in
our hometown parks.
This handsome drake
was photographed by
Marlana Holsten.
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine© 1
[top photo] A resident of Zacharias Pond in East Stroudsburg. [middle]
The playground at Jay Albertson Park in Stroudsburg and [bottomphoto from Tim Herd, SROSRC] one of the many activities for residents
of all ages provided by Stroud Region Open Space & Recreation.
2
Pocono Living Magazine© October/November 2009
A Look
at Our
Hometown
Parks
The Poconos abound with recreational opportunities. Recognizing the value to
our quality of life, virtually hundreds of new recreational areas and activities have
been created by our local government bodies in the past dozen years or so.
In this issue of Pocono Living Magazine©, we will take a closer look at some of
our “Hometown Parks.” “Hometown” in this respect referring to the parks that can
be found in the core municipalities of East Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg, and Stroud
Township.
Once known as our local towns & villages, they are now fast becoming cities.
We can thank our “Township & Boro Fathers” for having the foresight to save some
of these uniquely beautiful & natural areas of our landscape before they were
consumed by development.
This is by no stretch a complete look at all the parks available in these three
municipalities, but a view at some of the more popular and larger ones that offer the
greatest variety of recreational opportunities. In fact, within the three municipalities,
there are no less than 28 parks or recreation areas ranging in size from 0.15 acre to
more than 200 acres. And, on an interesting note, practically all of these parks are
within a 20 minute drive from the center of the county seat – Stroudsburg.
We hope you enjoy this feature and enjoy our parks in the Poconos. Have fun!
Looking south on the Brodhead
Creek–the backbone of the Levee
Loop Trail–from the banks of
PInebrook Park in Stroudsburg
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine© 3
Stroud Township Parks
Jay Albertson Park, named after retired
Township Supervisor and dedicated public
servant, Mr. Jay Albertson, is the cornerstone
of Stroud Township recreation facilities. This
park, locally known as “the duck pond”
provides a lovely setting for the Stroud
Township Municipal Building. The park has
playground equipment, and across the street
from the pond on Wallace St. is part of the
park and has a gazebo for our Concert in the
Park series.
Pinebrook Park located off Route 191 near
Pinebrook Bible Camp, is nestled along
Brodhead Creek offering an ideal spot for
walking, picnics, fishing, nature watching
and tubing. Two entrances, known as the
north entrance and the south entrance, are
off of Rt. 191 and lead into parking areas
for visitors. Walking trails have been cut
through the wooded areas from the northern
end connected by a bridge to the southern
section. There are picnic sites with tables and
grills for public enjoyment.
Big Pines Park is part of a long-term goal
of establishing small neighborhood parks
throughout the Township. Big Pines Park is
located near the Stroudsburg Middle School
off of Cranberry Road, at Brown Road. A
secondary entrance is located at Big Pines
Lane and Brown Rd. Big Pines is a twentyfive acre park with a soccer/baseball field,
parking area and a picnic pavilion with grills,
and port-a-potties.
Brodhead Creek Park is on Route 191 north of
the Big Wheel Roller skating Rink. It is a 34acre property that older locals may remember
as the Titus Swimming Beach. It encompasses
a pristine stretch of the Brodhead Creek,
which is perfect for observing nature and for
fishing. There is a small pond for children
under 12 to fish in, and a future access point
is planned for handicapped individuals. The
property adjoins Stroudsburg Municipal
Authority ball fields, and provides parking for
their usage.
Yetter Park is situated off of Stokes Rd. along
the scenic Brodhead Creek. It offers beautiful
walking and jogging trails leading to East
Stroudsburg along a portion of the Levee
Loop Trail. An 18-hole disc golf course
extends throughout the woods. A parking
area off Roosevelt and Wilson Avenues
provides easy access.
Kovarick Park Lands Consisting of approximately
13 acres, located off Glenview Avenue and
Paula and Michael Drives, this beautiful
property features undeveloped woodlands
with great potential for passive recreational
opportunities including walking, picnicking,
and fishing.
Michael Moore Park Playground equipment is
installed for this neighborhood “pocket park”
of approximately one-half acre on White
Birch Street off Stokes Avenue. Neighbors
participated as an advisory board in choosing
the equipment, which includes two swings,
a satellite climber, two diggers, two spring
rockers and a ball chute game.
Creekview Park Currently under development
for athletic fields, Creekview Park is a 25-acre
property off Avenue C along the Brodhead
Creek. When fully developed, Creekview
will also offer many passive recreational
opportunities, including walking, jogging,
hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. A portion
of the Levee Loop Trail system runs along the
park’s border.
Glen Brook Golf Club is a 224-acre,18-hole
public golf course off Hickory Valley Road
along two miles of the McMichael Creek. A
master site plan is now underway to consider
its further development as a regional park.
Stroudsburg Borough Parks
Stroudsburg Borough Park is located off West
Main Street adjacent to the High School.
This park contains a playground, the pool
complex, which includes a toddler pool
and spray pool; a skatepark, and picnic
pavilions. Situated along Pocono Creek, the
park is well-situated for fishing, walking, and
picnicking.
West Gate Park is located on the corner of West
Main Street and Dreher Ave. Picnic tables and
shade trees provide a comfortable resting
spot.
East Stroudsburg
Borough Parks
Dansbury Park is located along Day Street and
is a popular destination for a wide variety
of recreational activities. The park includes
tennis courts, basketball courts, softball,
baseball, and soccer fields, skatepark
and playground areas, a large pavilion,
concession stand, and a newly remodeled
borough swimming pool, including a splash
park area and giant 22-foot water slide. The
pool has a zero depth entry and separate
lap swim area. The Day Street Community
Center, which houses the offices of the
Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation
Commission, is adjacent to the park. A
trailhead to the Levee Loop Trail system,
situated in the park’s northwest corner, is
expected to open in spring 2008.
Zacharias Pond Park is located at the end of
East Third Street off North Courtland Street.
The park includes a picnic pavilion, fishing
pond, and a one-half mile paved jogging and
walking trail.
Gregory’s Pond Park is a 16-acre park located
along Route 447 at Poole Road and is
bordered on three sides by the Terra Greens
Golf Course, and offers a peaceful spot for
fishing.
Helen Amhurst (Third Street) Park is located on
Third Street and provides lighted basketball
courts, a playground, a large grassy play
area, and a sand volleyball court.
David W. Miller Park is an in-town passive park
with flower gardens and plantings, and is
accessed from the municipal parking lot on
South Kistler Street.
Bryant Park is a charming Neighborhood
Pocket Park at the corner of Bryant Street and
Park Avenue, developed in a formerly vacant
lot. Community volunteers have provided
the park with new trees, fencing, a 16-foot
gazebo, and flower gardens.
Van D. Yetter Park is a scenic 15-acre tract of
open space along Brodhead Creek offering
walking, hiking and fishing opportunities.
Glen Park, at the end of Collins Street in south
Stroudsburg, offers softball and soccer fields
and bike trails. Fishing is available along the
Brodhead Creek.
Katz Park Located at Wedgewood Lake
& Heritage Drive, Katz Park contains
7.2 acres including a pond, walking trail
and picnic area.
4
Rotary Creek and Ann Street Parks are found at
the corner of Broad and Ann Streets on both
sides of the McMichael Creek. They offer
excellent fishing along the creek, and a scenic
patio to view the falls.
Pocono Living Magazine© October/November 2009
Terra Greens Golf Course is a 111-acre, 9-hole
public golf course along Route 447 and
Poole Road, and is one of the few remaining
large tracts of open space in close proximity
to the borough. A Master Site study plan
is now underway to determine what types
of additional recreation facilities may be
developed on the site.
Regional Trail Systems
Contribute to a
distinctive community!
Recreational trails provide unique exercise
opportunities and transportation routes, preserve
critical open space, create natural corridors for
wildlife, and enhance the communities through
which they pass. As highly desirable destinations
for an increasing number of residents and tourists,
regional trails also contribute to the local economy.
By preserving the Brodhead and McMichael
Greenway through the development of regional
trails, the Stroud Region presents an extraordinary
park system for generations to enjoy. No matter
what the season, everyone can find a special
place here. Our regional trails are a cherished
community asset!
Levee Loop Trail
Constructed in the deadly aftermath of severe
flooding in the 1950s, the levee separating
the residents of Stroudsburg and East
Stroudsburg from the torrential tendencies
of the Brodhead Creek now foster a more
unifying function - the Levee Loop Trail!
From the Levee Loop Trail encircling a
picturesque portion of the Brodhead Creek,
one can easily and safely touch fourteen
public parks, three playgrounds, two skate
parks, several ball fields, two swimming
Hiking the Levee Loop Trail
[photo-Tim Herd, SROSRC]
pools, two fishing ponds, one disc golf
course, a regular golf course, nine schools,
a university, a Community Center, and the
historic downtown districts of Stroudsburg
and East Stroudsburg. When its southern
end is completed, the trail will connect with
a route to neighboring Delaware Water Gap
NRA, the Appalachian Trail, and unlimited
destinations north and south.
Dansbury Trailhead
The first major trailhead to the Levee Loop
Trail, now under construction in Dansbury
Park, includes an access road, parking,
concrete stairs and paved ADA-compliant
ramps to the top of the levee, bike racks,
shade trees, and information kiosk, and a
scenic vista of the park and the Brodhead
Creek corridor.
Totts Gap Trailhead
The Totts Gap Trailhead off Totts Gap Road
in Stroud Township provides access to the
famed 2,160-mile Appalachian Trail as it
passes along Kittatiny Ridge.
Regional Park Trails
Contained within the following Stroud Region
Parks are individual trails suitable for walking,
jogging, birdwatching, nature study, and
other companionable pursuits: Big Pines
Park, Brodhead Creek Park, Creekview Park,
Glen Park, Hickory Valley Park, Katz Park,
Pinebrook Park, Yetter Park, and Zacharias
Pond Park.
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine©
5
The lovely and tranquil Zacharias Pond in East Stroudsburg, a super spot
to fish and picnic. Greater access to the 36.5 acres in this park has been
provided by the recent expansion of the wooded trail around the pond.
Personal Care with Gracious Hospitality
Serving People of All Faiths
570-426-4000
329 E. Brown Street • East Stroudsburg, PA
Many Hands. One Heart
™
Visit us online at: www.diakon.org/pocono
Not all these parks are recent additions to our area.
Dansbury Park in East Stroudsburg was created in
1916 when the borough of East Stroudsburg purchased
the land from the East Stroudsburg Athletic and
Playground Association for the sum of $560.00. Now,
there was a bargain. Dansbury Park, formerly known
as simply the East Stroudsburg Borough Park, is
believed to be the oldest park in the area.
This historical statistic was provided by Tim Herd,
Director of the SROSRC. Thanks Tim!
6 Pocono Living Magazine©
October/November 2009
Glen Brook Golf Club - a 224 acre, 18-hole
public golf course, along two miles of the
McMichael Creek. [photo: Linnette Zaccaro]
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine© 7
[top left] The skatepark at
Stroudsburg Borough Park.
[top right] A view looking North on
the Brodhead Creek. Dansbury Park
and the Levee Loop Trail are to the
right. photo: Linnette Zaccaro.
[bottom right] The swimming pool at
Dansbury Park in East Stroudsburg.
photo: Tim Herd, SROSRC.
[bottom left] The picnic pavillion at
Pinebrook Park in Stroudsburg. Most
of the larger parks feature pavillions
with charcoal grills and picnic tables.
8 Pocono Living Magazine©
October/November 2009
15 Day Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Tel: 570-426-1512
www.scosrc.org • [email protected]
S
troud Region runs programs
of interest to the community
throughout the year. Listed
below are some offerings for
the coming months. For more information
and to register, please contact Stroud
Region Recreation at (570) 426-1512 or
visit www.srosrc.org.
Walks in the Parks
Four separate sessions of free, family-oriented
guided Walks in the Parks (Animal Autographs, Fall
Foliage Foray, Autumn Woods Scavenger Hunt,
and What Happens in Winter) meet at different
area parks throughout the fall and winter starting
Saturday, September 26. Participants are asked to
register one week in advance.
Fall Seasonings
This zesty hands-on nature series for budding naturalists
ages 4-6 on the cycles and changes of the seasons!
Fall Seasonings meets Saturdays, October 3-24
from 9:15 – 10:45 am at the Day Street Community
Center in East Stroudsburg. Cost is $40 per
participant.
October Fest
& Pass-the-Pumpkin
Fun Run/Relay
[above] Many activities and programs are
scheduled at the Day Street Community
Center in East Stroudsburg. [upper right]
Fishing along the Brodhead. photos: Tim
Herd, SROSRC.
Bring the whole family and enjoy a wonderful autumn
day in the park making fresh apple cider, decorating
pumpkins, face painting, potato sack races, and
many other fun activities for all ages! While there,
ages 9-13 with parent/guardian limber up for some
new fun with a little orange gourd at our Pass-thePumpkin 1-mile fun run, ages 5-8 participate in
autumn-related relay races, and grown-ups summon
their inner “Flash-Gourdon” in a sprint of strength
and speed to determine who can “squash” the
competition in a strong-man race around the bases
of a ball field while carrying a massive pumpkin!
October Fest takes place at Dansbury Park on
Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm;
relay races/fun run begin at 10:30 am. Festival fee
is $25/family (for 2 parents and up to 4 children);
fun run fee is $5/entry. Registration deadline is
October 9.
Brodhead atershed A
W
ciation
sso
The Day Street Community Center,
by its unique location, purpose, and
mission, possesses both the opportunity
and responsibility to create a fun, safe
environment in which teens and youth
of the Stroud Region may gather and
socialize. Video games such as Wii
bowling and tennis, a Dance Dance
Revolution (DDR) system, as well as the
more traditional but always popular
basketball, foosball, and pingpong games
will provide exercise while players build
teamwork and sportsmanship skills
through competition and tournaments.
The addition of a transverse climbing
wall system in the gym will round out a
purposeful Youth Activities Program in a
public facility that, when fully developed,
will be a unique and prized attraction in
the Stroud Region.
Just about all of our “hometown” parks are
within the watershed of the Brodhead Creek, so
we should mention The Brodhead Watershed
Association, a non-profit environmental
organization celebrating their
20th aniversary this year.
The BWA is dedicated to protecting and
improving water resources and the environment
in the Brodhead and Cherry Creek watershed.
Their first and longest running program is the
highly successful Volunteer Streamwatch–a
group who monitors and acts as stewards of the
streams near their homes by collecting water
quality data. The data provides a graphic, longterm snapshot of the health of the streams.
Check out their website at www.
brodheadwatershed.org for more information
about this very important organization.
Sensational Global Soups Cooking Demo With Chef Alice
Soups are good for the body and soul as well as
perfect cold weather fare. This demo, led by local
culinary expert Chef Alice, will incorporate global
ingredients and essential techniques such as knife
skills, sweating, sautéing, and poaching to create a
trio of savory soups. Those registered will be treated to
samples, recipes of items featured, and a kitchen gif.
Sensational Global Soups Cooking Demo with
Chef Alice takes place Thursday, November 5
at 6:00 pm at the Day Street Community Center
in East Stroudsburg. Cost is $35 per person and
registration deadline is October 30.
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine©
9
10
Pocono Living Magazine© October/November 2009
Announces that our members will receive discounts
from the following businesses:
Dansbury Depot
Sweet Creams Café
The River Room
Sam Snead's Tavern
Istanbul Grill
Stroudsmoor Country Inn
Vinny D's Deli
Ichiban Restaurant
Great Day Massage Works
Peppe's Ristorante
Josephine's Fleur de Lis
The Potting Shed
Dale's Café
Atlantic Cigar Company
The Willow Tree Inn
Very Truly Yours
Decorative Art
Deer Head Inn
The Landmark Café
Woodwind Instructions
Four Corners Health & Fitness
Top Notch Services
Subaru of Mt. Olive
The Forwardian Art Society
Mollie's Restaurant
Kost Tire and Auto Service
Stroudsburg Foto Shop
Hollywood Tans
Dunkelberger's Sport Outfitters
Coming Soon
500 Days of Summer, The Answer Man,
Shrink, In the Loop, Julie & Julia, Cold
Souls, It Might Get Loud, Taking Woodstock,
The September Issue, The Informant!, Coco
Before Chanel, The Invention of Lying,
Capitalism: A Love Story
88 South Courtland St.
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-421-FILM (3456)
www.PoconoCommunityTheater.org
There’s great variety to be found in
our Hometown Parks - from the rugged
woodsy trails of Glen Park to the
beautiful gazebo in the garden at Bryant
Park in Stroudsburg
October/November 2009 Pocono Living Magazine©
11