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All Parks

• Parks are open from sunrise to sunset. After dusk, you must have a permit or risk being fined.
• Parks are officially closed during winter weather conditions. Park parking lots, paths and trails are not maintained and may remain snow and ice covered for extended periods. Surfaces may be slippery. Guests may still access park for winter recreational activities; however, they do so at their own peril. Anti-slip winter footwear is recommended.
• All Park buildings are winterized annually (restrooms closed, water/electric shut off) by December 1 to reduce the chance of frozen pipes. Porta-potties will be removed from Munro in December, but one will remain on site at WCP & Kemper. Weather permitting, buildings should reopen in April.
• Sport fields in all parks are available by permit only. Persons who wish to use pavilions & fields should apply for permits. Warminster youth organizations and permit holders have priority.
• No smoking, alcohol or illegal substances are permitted in the parks.
• Park facilities are available for special events, parties, family picnics and business gatherings for a reasonable fee. Dates fill quickly each year, so please reserve your pavilion or fields by completing a facility/pavilion request permit and submitting it to the Parks & Recreation Dept. Forms can be downloaded at the website: warminstertownship.org
• To reduce vandalism, park facilities are locked unless park staff or sport organizations are utilizing a park. If you see vandalism, dumping or other hazards, DON’T WAIT!! Please call the Police Department immediately at (215) 672-1000.
• Please do not feed the wildlife, especially the fox, deer and geese, in the parks – supplemental feeding encourages wildlife to lose their fear of people and become dependent on handouts that are not part of their natural diets.
• If you see people with their dogs running loose, please call the Animal Control Officer at 215-672-1000. Do not try to intervene and put yourself in harm’s way. 
• The Warminster Bark Park is available to all area residents as a membership program. To participate you must provide veterinarian proof of vaccinations, complete an application, and attend a one-time education session. Fees are $25/Warminster resident and $35/non-resident.
• Solicitation by vendors, including private fitness or sport instruction, is not permitted in any park. Citations will be issued by the Police Department. Permits are available for a fee.
• Motorized vehicles, including dirt bikes, snow mobiles and ATVs, are not permitted in Township parks.
• Cyclists must yield to pedestrians on all park trails. Warn pedestrians by loudly declaring “cyclist on your left” prior to passing.
• Perennials for Parks – if you are dividing your perennials in spring or fall, why not donate the “discards” to the parks to improve our park landscaping. Contact the office for more info: 215-443-5428.
• Park encroachment – If your residence backs up to a park, please be aware of your property boundaries before installing sheds, pools and play equipment. Items that encroach on park land must be removed at the cost of the homeowner no matter how long they have been in place.
• No dumping reminder – dumping in the parks or public lands is illegal. Leaves, trees, limbs, trimmings and other yard waste must be removed and disposed of properly through the trash company.
• Commemorative benches and trees honoring friends, family, pets and others are available for placement in any Township park. For more information, contact Parks & Rec @ 215-443-5428 or download forms from the website: warminstertownship.org.
• Parks & Recreation would like to extend our thanks to the many sport groups, individuals and volunteers who assist with park maintenance. If you have questions about the various projects underway, please call us.

EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) & SPOTTED LANTERN FLY UPDATE
Most of the dead ash trees that posed a threat to property have been removed in the park system. There are still dead ash in certain areas of the parks, but we do not plan to clear cut these areas and will allow them to degrade naturally. The Spotted Lantern Fly has arrived in our area and the Township is working with the PA Department of Agriculture (PAD) as one of their test sites. In several parks, Ailanthis trees will be used as bait traps and so that pesticides can be applied that will interrupt the insect lifecycle. Please continue to check your car, equipment, trailers before leaving the area so this invasive specie does not spread further. Egg casings on trees can be scraped off before spring hatching. PAD scientists are working on ways to control this moth before more trees, vineyards and orchards are affected. For more information on the EAB or Spotted Lantern Fly, check the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources website: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/insectsdisease/

SZYMANEK PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Community Garden at Szymanek Park was revived and there may be some raised beds available for gardeners looking for space in the spring. These beds are available on a first come, first served basis. If interested, please contact Donna Elms, member Warminster Environmental Advisory Council via email: elmsdonna@yahoo.com

“FRESH CONNECT” AT WCP
Parks & Recreation will continue to host Fresh Connect Bucks County – a free mobile Farmer’s Market for Bucks County residents. Held in cooperation with United Way, BC Opportunity Council and Philabundance, residents must register and meet certain household income qualifications.  Held each Tuesday, year-round (weather permitting), from 11-1 PM at Warminster Community Park. Due to Covid-19, the number of people benefitting from this service has increased exponentially.  This no-contact service creates backups on the driveway into the park.  We recommend, if you are coming for a park visit, to come before 9 AM or after 1PM.  For more information or to volunteer, call 215-345-8175 or BCOC.org

FACILITY RENTALS and RESERVATIONS
Park facilities & pavilions are available for parties, family picnics, sport activities & business gatherings for a reasonable fee. Please do not forget to reserve your pavilion or field by completing a facility request permit via warminsterpa.myrec.com.  Please allow up to two business days for review. Permits are not fully executed until fees are paid in full. Permit holders have priority.

FRIENDS OF WARMINSTER PARKS
Friends of Warminster Parks is a volunteer, 501-c-3 non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and funds for the improvement, preservation and continued development of the Warminster Township Park system. Our goal is to raise funds to enhance and develop both passive and active recreational areas in Warminster Township Parks and support recreational programs for the benefit and enjoyment of Warminster residents. With so many ambitious projects, the Friends of Warminster Park is always seeking new members to participate. They are looking for volunteers that might have publicity and marketing, construction, IT, management, or organizational skills, or just wish to participate in an organization that benefits the community. To get involved visit the website @ www.friendsofwarminsterparks.org

Hometown Hero Banners
Installation of the Friends Hometown Hero Banners has begun. Banners are available to active service members and all veterans who have lived in Warminster or have family living here. For more information on the banners, go to the Friends website or stop by the Park & Rec office to pick up a form.  Click here for a form – www.friendsofwarminsterparks.org or call Parks & Recreation: 215-443-5428.

BARK PARK NEWS
Memberships to the Warminster Bark Park are available for area residents. There are no limits on the number of members who can participate in the Park. Paw Passes (electronic key entry FOB) are available for annual fees (Jan.-Dec.) of $25/Warminster resident household/year ($35/Non-Resident).
New members are required to complete an application, provide copies of current County license and vet certificate of vaccinations, pay an annual fee and attend a Bark Park workshop. These 60-minute workshops are provided FREE so that area members and their canine friends get the most of the dog park experience. In exchange, members receive the Rules and Regs, Bark Park etiquette & safety info, and a Paw Pass electronic gate fob.   Hours for the park will be 7:00 AM-Sunset – weather and conditions permitting. The Bark Park has been designed to include two (2) separate fenced-in areas for the large and small dogs to run off-leash and include pavilion coverage, water (in season) and benches. For more information on registration, regulations and class dates, call the office or check out the website @ https://warminsterpa.myrec.com.

Reminders for our Bark Park Members:

• CLEAN UP, NO EXCUSES! – Keep the dog park clean and more importantly our dogs healthy. A dog owner should always have bags with them, even if provided at a dog park.
• Socialization & Basic Commands – Dogs should be fully socialized BEFORE going to the dog park. Dogs should respond to basic commands since a dog must be under the handler’s control at all times when in the dog park.
• Incident Reports – All incidents must be reported to the police or animal control within 24 hours: 215-672-1000.
• Only Members Allowed! – To ensure the safety of all dogs, members should not permit others into the Bark Park. You are responsible for any injury or damages done by a non-member and park privileges will be rescinded.
• Bring water. During winter months and if maintenance is required, the dog fountains are turned off.  Please bring water for your pet.

POOPER SCOOPER ORDINANCE
Ordinance #565 regulates animal defecation on public and private property and the disposal of animal feces. Pet owners are required to clean up after their animals, not only in the parks, but on all public and private property in the Township, or face a possible fine up to $1,000.

Dog Licenses Required
According to Pennsylvania State Law, all dogs three (3) months of age or older must have a current dog license and a current rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian***. Annual dog licenses (Jan.-Dec.) may be purchased at the WREC, Mon thru Fri from 9 AM-4 PM, at Bucks County Treasurer’s office in Doylestown-(215) 348-6244, or online at www.padoglicense.com. You you must provide proof of spay/neuter to receive the discount.

Noise Ordinance
Pet owners should be aware that Warminster Township has an ordinance in place regarding un-provoked incessant noise made by animals***. For more info regarding this and other Pennsylvania State Dog Laws, contact Craig Claycomb, Animal Control Officer (215) 672-1000 ***Violators are subject to a $100-$500 fine for non-compliance***

TREE UPDATE

• Tree Tenders – Free Classes
  As part of the DCNR TreeVitalize program, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), in partnership with Penn State Cooperative Extension, will offer nine hours of FREE hands-on tree care training for residents of the five-county Philadelphia region. For info, visit the website: www.treevitalize.net.
• Tree Donations
  More than 90 families have already planted the living memorial gift of a tree or shrub in the park system. These trees commemorate a special occasion, family celebration, or honor the memory of a loved one. If you enjoy a particular park and wish to place a lasting gift to a family member, friend or pet, either living or deceased, consider donating a tree to the community. If you wish to make a tree donation, simply download the form from the township website or call the office. Several options are available. Memorial trees are installed in early March or after October 15th.

VANDALISM – It Hurts Everyone
Even though we have many people using our parks, we saw an uptick in the amount of vandalism in the parks. Already Munro, Szymanek and WCP have been affected by useless damage. Instead of spending tax dollars to improve the parks, we are constantly trying to stay ahead of the repair & replacement costs which have resulted from break-ins, arson and general building & equipment vandalism.

• If you see it happening, do not intervene or put yourself at risk – call the Police! An Anti-Vandalism Ordinance is in place. There is a reward if your information leads to an arrest and conviction. If you see vandalism, dumping or other hazards, DON’T WAIT!! Please call the Police Department immediately at (215) 672-1000 or 9-1-1.

BIRDERS CAN ENJOY THE PARKS YEAR ROUND
WCP has become a haven for many species of birds which have been seen in the park and surrounding areas throughout the year. From January through April, Winter Wren, Brown Creeper, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker and Golden-Crowned and Ruby-Crowned Kinglets can be found in Kemper Park in winter. Eastern Bluebirds, American Tree Sparrows and Field Sparrows will be in Warminster Community Park. The coldest days may bring Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Lapland Longspur or American Pipits to large “barren” fields around the Park. Gull flocks may include Iceland, Laughing, Lesser Black-Backed or Herring Gulls with the common Ring-Billed Gulls. A Short-Eared Owl was spotted over WCP recently. Spring migration starts in late March with waterfowl. Check ponds for Green-Winged Teal, Hooded Mergansers and other unusual ducks. A flock of 120 Tundra Swans flew over WCP in a recent winter. And dozens of species of migrants will show up at Kemper Park beginning in April. You may spot a Northern Waterthrush or Nashville Warbler along with the more common Palm and Pine Warblers.

PLEASE DON’T FEED THE WILDLIFE!
Parks and Recreation is working with the USDA Wildlife Service to protect the health of our park birds and wildlife. Please do not feed the waterfowl (geese, ducks, gulls, etc.) or the deer in our parks. Feeding these wild animals creates dependence, promotes the spread of disease and upsets the natural cycles. Thank you for your cooperation.

PARK ENCROACHMENT
In numerous parks throughout the system, there are instances of neighbors who have placed woodpiles, sheds, gardens, play apparatus, even swimming pools on park property. If your residence backs up to a park, please be aware of your property boundaries before installing anything. Items that encroach on park land must be removed at the cost of the homeowner no matter how long they have been in place.

NO DUMPING REMINDER
For residents who back up to our park system, please be reminded that no dumping is allowed. Since public access is limited behind the homes at Barness Park, Devonshire Court, Meadow Run Park, Ivy Woods and Kemper Park, we can only infer that neighbors are dumping in the parks. This practice must cease and desist immediately or you may be cited by our L&I or Police Department. Leaves, trees, limbs, trimmings and other yard waste must be removed and disposed of properly through the trash company.

TRAIL MAPS AVAILABLE!
There are now over 5 miles of paved trail at WCP! Maps can be downloaded from the Township website for personal use (click here). Several trails bisect the park to create a multitude of walking, biking and running opportunities. Along the way, you’ll experience some hidden park treasures and enjoy much of the wildlife. Please note the posted trail signs for everyone’s safety!

WARMINSTER SPORT/CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
The different Warminster Sport and Civic Organizations operate independently of the Parks & Recreation Department. We do not oversee their operations, set prices or policies, or act as a mediator during disputes. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please contact each organization. Phone numbers and websites are listed here.