Wayne Township Lion Paul Moyer with his wife, children, some of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren pose for a family photo during the dedication of the Paul A. Moyer Pavilion, a Wayne Township Lions Club project. From left to right: Isaac Meck, Greg Kehl, Josiah Meck, Angela Meck, Lily Meck, Jessica Kehl, Lori Moyer, Mark Moyer, Paul Moyer, Paul Moyer Jr, Ardith Moyer, Silas Meck, Lisa Moyer, Robin White, Brenda White, Vera White and Eliot White. (Photo courtesy of Angela Meck and Moyer Family)
Community members came out for Community Day at the new Wayne Township Park in the Blue Mountain Recreation Area on Long Run Road on Sept. 2.
The event celebrated the new park, Lions Pavilion, a paved walking trail, a second athletic field with parking, fishing ponds and picnic area.
“We’ve been working on (the park) for the past year roughly,” said Jeff Kramer, chairman of the township recreation committee.
Wayne received a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant that allowed the township to pave the walking trail and install a bridge over the stream, as well as performing other work at the park.
“It’s been a big ongoing project,” Kramer said. “So, hopefully we can finish it early next year.”
Wayne Township Community Day at the township park on Long Run Road on Saturday, Sept. 2, celebrated the new park, Lions Pavilion, a paved walking trail with a bridge over the stream, a second athletic field with parking, fishing ponds and picnic area. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)
Wayne Township Community Day at the township park on Long Run Road on Saturday, Sept. 2, celebrated the new park, Lions Pavilion, a paved walking trail with a bridge over the stream, a second athletic field with parking, fishing ponds and picnic area. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)Donated by the Wayne Township Lions Club, the 40-by 60-foot pavilion project built by Pioneer Pole Buildings was spearheaded by Lion Paul A. Moyer and made possible thanks to $15,000 raised by the Lions Club and a Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation grant of $15,000.
“Once they started working on the park here, I thought it would be nice to have a pavilion so we can have community activities, family reunions and other gatherings,” Moyer said. “I thought this would be a great asset.”
Even before it was built, people wanted to rent the pavilion, he said.
“I think it worked out well with a lot of help from the township,” said Moyer. “Without their help, this couldn’t have all come together.”
Moyer also thanked the Lions Club members and the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Service Foundation Board of Directors.
“The pavilion is a big asset to the community and to the park, and we appreciate that,” Kramer said.
The pavilion was dedicated to Moyer, a member of the Lions Club for 59 years.
“Paul has been in the Lions Club for years and has done so much for this community,” Kramer said. “Just a great example for everybody.”
Township supervisors Ralph Fidler and Charles Ferguson presented Moyer with a sign bearing his name in recognition of his contribution to the project and his ongoing commitment to the community. The pavilion has been named in his honor.
The Paul A. Moyer Pavilion, a Wayne Township Lions Club project, was dedicated at the new township park in the Blue Mountain Recreation Area on Long Run Road during the township Community Day on Sept. 2. From left to right: Wayne Township supervisors Ralph Fidler, left, and Charles Ferguson, right, present Lion Paul Moyer with the sign bearing his name in recognition of his efforts for the Lions Club to build the pavilion. (Photo courtesy of Angela Meck and Moyer Family)
The Paul A. Moyer Pavilion, a Wayne Township Lions Club project, was dedicated at the new township park in the Blue Mountain Recreation Area on Long Run Road during the township Community Day on Sept. 2. From left to right: Wayne Township supervisors Ralph Fidler, left, and Charles Ferguson, right, present Lion Paul Moyer with the sign bearing his name in recognition of his efforts for the Lions Club to build the pavilion. (Photo courtesy of Angela Meck and Moyer Family)“I just lost it,” said Moyer about being recognized. “Whenever I’ve had a chance to speak, I was always told to stop, never ran out of words. Today, I couldn’t talk.
“There’s a lot of people who deserve credit beyond me; all I did was push and pull and make it happen. And that’s what we did.”
Moyer is already thinking about the next project, possibly adding a small kitchenette to the pavilion, as well as water and electric service.
Mike Polak, a member of the recreation committee, congratulated Moyer.
“That was wonderful that you got all of that donated to us and built. Now we both have our names in this park,” he told Moyer.
Polak said: “We’re happy the township built the two soccer fields. I think everybody who visits the park is amazed at what we’ve done in a short time. They think our walking trail is fantastic, especially as we’ve moved it around one of the ponds.”
“Everybody loves it,” Polak said about the park. “On a weekend, we have both lots filled with cars watching the soccer games. It’s wonderful to have this. It really is. I think the township supervisors have done a great job and people like Mr. Moyer for getting donations given to us to build things. It’s absolutely wonderful.”
Uniting the community
“It’s been hard to have events over the last three years,” said Kramer. “We wanted to have this two years ago, but with everything and COVID going on, we’re just glad we could get the community together.”
The family-friendly event included displays by local business, soccer games, food vendors, Cub Scouts selling popcorn, and music by the Radioactive Munsters. Pygmy goats from Honey Brook Farm of South Manheim Township were popular with children.
Members of The Radioactive Munsters performed during Wayne Township Community Day held at the township park on Long Run Road on Saturday, Sept. 2. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)
Members of The Radioactive Munsters performed during Wayne Township Community Day held at the township park on Long Run Road on Saturday, Sept. 2. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)Participants included Lio Colon Food Bus, Heritage Hills Ice Cream, American Remodeling, Pennsylvania State Police, Pioneer Pole Buildings, By the Fire Pizza, Farm House Pet Resort, Wayne Township Lions Club, Red Creek Wildlife Center, Wayne Township Historical Society, Dewald & Lengle and Friedensburg Fire Company.
Pygmy goats from Honey Brook Farm of South Manheim Township were a big hit among children during Wayne Township Community Day on Sept. 2. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)
Friends of Frog Hollow volunteers Jane Kruse, chair, and Karen Christian, member, shared information about Frog Hollow in Friedensburg becoming Schuylkill’s second county park. A committee of the Schuylkill County Conservancy, Friends of Frog Hollow provides maintenance and oversight of the property. The goal is to ensure the 28-acre tract in Wayne remains open for public use.
“Frog Hollow is forest; it’s a nature area,” said Kruse. “And we’re going to leave it that way. We’re not going to develop it. It’s not going to be anything but what it is.”
The day concluded with a nature walk led by “Porcupine Pat” McKinney, who had the children laughing and learning. He said participants saw a lot of changes, including early leaves changing color, and heard a lot of insects.
“People should always go outside on a nice day; it’s a good way to connect with the natural world,” McKinney said. “At this time of year, there’s a lot going on as you transition from summer to fall.”
A nature walk led by “Porcupine Pat” McKinney had children laughing and learning during Wayne Township Community Day on Sept. 2. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)
A nature walk led by “Porcupine Pat” McKinney had children laughing and learning during Wayne Township Community Day on Sept. 2. (Lisa Mitchell – MediaNews Group)