Parks and Recreation
Parks & Playgrounds
Recreation areas in Rush Township include:
- Ryan /Old Hauto Road Park/Playground
- Kelly Park
- Lincoln Playground
- Miller Park/Ball Field
- Quakake Park/Playground
- Grier City Park/Playground
The Ryan Memorial Park is comprised of four tracts of land totaling 26.44 acres. The southern boundary of the property is located on the Ye Old Hauto Road and Keller Road. The western boundary is on Pa. Route 309 and the residential properties along Laurelwood Street define the northern boundary of the property. The park currently includes one tennis court, and a few picnic tables and benches are present on the site. Ryan Park also holds a Disc Golf course. Rush Township would like to thank Stephen Behun, IV for his great work on building stairs, a bench, and a rope handrail to help visitors navigate the steep hills in the course. His hard work was part of his Eagle Scout Service Project. Additionally, Rush Township has applied for a small community development conservation partnerships program grant through DCNR. The ultimate plan at the Ryan Memorial Park is to construct a coarse walking and biking trail through the park and around the adjacent residential area. The walking and biking trail will give the community a safe local area to walk and bike. Besides recreation, the township desires to enhance the aesthetics, protect the watershed, and improve wildlife habitat to ensure their health and use for the future generations to enjoy. To accomplish these goals, the Supervisors voted to accept Forest Stewardship Plan prepared for the park through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Kelly Park is sometimes referred to as “Triangle Park” because of its shape. It is located between Lynwood and Holland Streets. Even though this park is small in size, it is a great place where neighbors can come and relax under the shade of the trees. The park holds three benches, and a Little Library box has been added to Kelly Park as well for people to give and take books.
Lincoln Park is located on Lincoln Street and has a full size basketball court for all to enjoy. A shaded tree area covers part of the park. This park has the potential to be developed for the tots and teens in our community.
Miller Park is composed of three acres of land located along Miller Avenue. In January, 1974, William and Richard Miller generously donated this land to the township. Youth baseball and soccer teams are using the full-sized field for practice and games. Renovations to the park included a pavilion and picnic area, a small children’s play section, and a Little Library box.
Quakake Park is located on the corner of Rogosky Street and Route 1019 in Quakake. With the assistance of Jason Boris, of the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Agency, a grant in the amount of $27,500.00 was received from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The township matched $7,500.00 with in-kind labor and donations. Renovations to the park included a full-size basketball court, a parking area, and a tot swing set. Volunteers assisted with excavating and grading the basketball court area, spreading stone and mulch, installing the basketball posts, painting lines, and assembling the swing set. A Little Library is set up to take and share a book.
Grier City Park is located at the end of Messerschmidt Street in Grier City. In 1892, the Grier City Union Sunday School was built and established on land that was donated to them by the Grier City residents. The Sunday school started a park/playground and other recreational facilities on the grounds for the residents to enjoy. In 2015, The Grier City Union Sunday School Association decided to turn over ownership of the park/playground and the other facilities on the property to Rush Township. We will be able to update and maintain the equipment, facilities and the property. Grier City Park/ Playground is an area of land approximately eight acres in size, which includes a pavilion, baseball field, volleyball court, tennis court, basketball court, along with play equipment for small children ages 9-14 and public restrooms. A Little Library sits next to the pavilion; please feel free to take and give books for everyone to enjoy!
The Rush Township Board of Supervisors are asking for the support of our community to help improve these parks and playgrounds. Companies are encouraged to adopt a park, playground, or ball field. A sign bearing the company name would be placed at that park, but the township would still own the property, take care of the insurance coverage, maintain the park, collect garbage, and repair equipment. Funds generated by the adopt-a-park plan will be used to purchase picnic tables, benches, swing sets, merry-go-rounds, slides, pavilions, etc. Walking paths and trails will also be mapped out. Our ultimate goal is to have the young and the old alike enjoy the many parks located within Rush Township. Any contribution will be greatly appreciated.
Tuscarora State Park
Tuscarora State Park is 1,618 acres that includes a day use area for boating, swimming, picnicking, and more.
About half of the park is in Rush Township, and the township is home to almost all of Tuscarora’s amenities.
In order to preserve Tuscarora’s natural beauty, only electric motors (or rowing!) is permitted on Tuscarora Lake. There is a boat launch, and mooring spaces are available through the state. A boat rental near the beach is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day (weekends during Spring and Fall). Rowboats, canoes and specialty craft, like pedal boats and kayaks, are available for rent on an hourly or daily basis.
The beach is open from late-May to mid-September, 8 a.m. to sunset. Swimming is permitted “at your own risk.” Swimming areas are marked with buoys and have a maximum depth of 5 1/2 feet.
More than 250 picnic tables and some charcoal grills are available year-round. Modern restrooms are available beginning the Friday before the regional opening day of Trout Season until mid-October. Two picnic pavilions may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Unreserved picnic pavilions are open on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those looking to stay overnight can rent a cottage or yurt. A cottage can sleep five people in double/single bunks, and have three windows, porch, picnic table, a fire ring, and electric heat, lights, and outlets. A yurt – a really big tent – can sleep five people in double/single bunks and have a refrigerator, four-burner electric range, counter-top and oak cabinetry, kitchen table and chairs, wall mounted fan, skylight, vented roof, two windows, wood flooring, a large deck, picnic table and a fire ring, and electric heat, lights, and outlets. Cottages and yurts are available the Friday before the regional opening day of trout season until mid-October. Pets are prohibited in both.
Tuscarora State Park offers a wide variety of environmental education and interpretive programs. Through hands-on activities, guided walks and evening programs, participants gain appreciation, understanding and develop a sense of stewardship toward natural and cultural resources.
Sections of the park and numerous park amenities are handicap-accessible.
Fishing, hunting, and trapping
Fishing in Tuscarora Lake consists primarily of warm water game fish including bass, muskellunge, pickerel, catfish, yellow perch, and sunfish. Night fishing is permitted. Ice fishing is permitted during the winter season, with trout being the primary species caught. The ice is not monitored for safety, so fishermen are advised to be sure that the ice is at least four inches thick and to carry safety equipment.
About 1,100 acres of Tuscarora State Park are open to hunting, trapping, and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, woodcock, turkey, grouse, and dove. Special regulations areas allowing only bow and arrow and flintlock muzzleloader hunting are located in several areas of Tuscarora State Park.
Hiking
Seven trails crisscross Tuscarora State Park. They offer easy and moderate hiking.
For more information about Tuscarora State Park, click here.
Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission
Since 1997, the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission has been working to increase the recreational opportunities in Eastern Schuylkill County, with an emphasis on park and trail development and recreational rehabilitation.
The ESRC consists of the Borough of Tamaqua, the Borough of Coaldale, Rush Township, Schuylkill Township, Walker Township, West Penn Township, the Tamaqua YMCA, the Tamaqua School District, and the Borough of Middleport.
Discounted in stock park tickets can be purchased for the following recreation areas: Camel Beach, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, Knoebels, PA Renaissance Faire, Philadelphia Zoo, Ride the Ducks, Sesame Place, Sno Cove, Great Adventure. Please contact the ESRC Executive Director Sarah Connely (by phone or email), or simply stop in at the ESRC office located in the Tamaqua Area School District Administration Building at 138 West Broad Street in Tamaqua. The phone number is (570) 668-2919 or email esrcrec@hotmail.com
Township representatives on the commission are:
- Member Christine Marcolla (Secretary/Treasurer)
- Supervisor Member Robert J. Leibensperger
ESRC MEETING DATES
Tamaqua Community Center – 6:00 p.m.
Vacant, Executive Director
http://esrcrec.wix.com/esrc
Phone: 570-668-2919
Meeting date to be announced one week prior.
