In spring 2020, locals will be able to take advantage of the latest outdoor space to open to the Bucks County public – Lions Pride Park.
Located in Warrington Township on Bradley Road, where Twin Oaks Day Camp was formerly held, the area is quickly being converted into a state-of-the-art, 17-acre recreational, educational and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant park for visitors of all ages and abilities.
Since the groundbreaking ceremony held on March 29, the township and Warrington Lions Club, with support from numerous community partners, have raised more than $1.65 million of the total $2 million park cost.
According to Barry Luber, Warrington Township manager, the remaining gap of $350,000 should be quickly closed thanks to Lindy Communities Property Management Company, which has pledged to match all new donations through Dec. 31, up to $100,000. The funds raised will be used toward the construction and maintenance of the park.
“We are excited to have Lindy Communities as one of the major donors to Lions Pride Park,” Luber said. “Their generosity will help significantly in reaching our fundraising goals.”
Carolyn Hirsh Lindy, of Lindy Communities Property Management Company, is spearheading the matching initiative.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this innovate community asset, which will foster connection through shared experiences with neighbors,” said Hirsh. “Lindy Communities – The Park at Westminster Apartment Homes and Lindy Communities – Warrington Crossings Apartment Homes, both located in Warrington Township, are proud to participate and sponsor.”
The park is currently under construction at Folly and Bradley roads. Highlights will be Kids Mountain, a play area that will include swings, slides, climbing towers and rope bridges; The Grove, which will have picnic tables and shuffleboard and bocce courts; and a walking trail around the park that connects to other township walking paths, such as the 202 Bicycle Path and trails along the Neshaminy Creek from Peace Valley Park out to the Delaware River.
The space is expected to enhance the local environment with features such as a recently completed rain garden, and meadows and wetlands that provide habitat for birds, wildlife and bees.
Currently, a smart phone app is under development that will enable people who are differently abled to learn about the park and find their way through it. Beacons will be located near informative signs and when a smartphone app detects a beacon, a description will be played through the phone’s speaker. The description could be as simple as “oak tree” or as detailed as a web page.
Lions Pride Park will be one of the first parks in the Philadelphia area to have this app, which will also include GPS navigation to help the visually impaired move about the park more easily.
“This new multigenerational, all-inclusive park/playground will bring people of all ages and abilities together in a modern, yet natural setting to enhance the quality of life and recreation in the community,” said Jim Furlong, campaign chairman. “Thanks to the beacon app, people can learn more about the park’s plants, trees and amenities. We want our park to be one that engages people with the outdoors and educates them about the environment around them.”
Donations are currently being accepted at lionspridepark.org/donate. Recognition of gifts of $100 and up will be inscribed on donor walls in the park. Donations of $100-$499 will receive one line of text (23 characters max, including spaces and punctuation), while donations of $500-$5,000 will receive two lines of text (same rules apply).
“The Lions Club and Warrington Township are very excited that construction is moving along nicely for a spring 2020 grand opening,” added Furlong. “The Lindy Communities’ matching donation challenge gives us the opportunity to reach our goal and complete phase one of the multigenerational park with playground equipment designed for children of all abilities, including special needs. I am asking everyone to please donate what you can to help us make this dream become a reality for our community.” ••
Visit lionspridepark.org for additional information.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
