In our on-going series about local parks, two parks in Montgomery Township will by highlighted—Fellowship Park and the Bark Park.   Each is unique and offers different amenities for area residents.

            These hidden gems are located off the beaten path in out-of the way locales, but both parks have a lot to offer those who care to seek them out and discover what they have waiting in store.

Fellowship Park is comprised of 13 acres, and can be found at the end of Meadowood Drive, which is off of Holly Drive, tucked into a quiet niche surrounded by woodlands.  While hiking trails and nature paths are not part of the landscape, there are plenty of options for varied activities.

The park’s baseball field is dedicated in memory of Patrolman David Hancock, founder of the Montgomery Township Home Run Derby. 

            Baseball and soccer fields, complete with bleachers, anchor one corner of the park, while four tennis courts as well as basketball courts score points in another area.  For those days when you just can’t get to the shore, a sand-filled beach volleyball court awaits. 

            The kids will be kept busy with the playground equipment while you set up the picnic at the nearby tables. 

            The obscure location of this park makes it ideal because it is close to everything yet hidden away—providing the perfect place for exercise, fun, and at times solitude.

            If everything is in a name, then Bark Park says it all.  The canines in your life will find this park has literally gone to the dogs, but their masters not only are invited to come along for the fun and exercise, but they are required to accompany their pets. 

            Bark Park is located at the end of Bell Run Plaza off of Welsh Road.  It can be a little hard to locate, so be sure to follow the signs.  Enter at the Assi Supermarket, located in the Sandy Brooke Shopping Center on Welsh Road, and wind your way around to a parking lot.  From there you will see a path leading back to the park.

            A plaque stands affixed to a large bolder with a proud Airedale standing guard, that announces the dedication date of June 22, 2002.               

            At the end of the pathway is an information board posting rules for the park as well as dog related handouts and brochures.  A fenced area, comprised of one acre, is set aside for off-leash frolicking of socially adept canines and their accompanying masters. 

            Benches line the outside perimeter, and water dishes and toys are available for common use among the visitors.  Please remember to be courteous to your fellow dog owners by using the receptacles provided for clean-up.    

            Both parks are open for use from dawn to dusk every day.

            Next week Patch will scope out more parks in the Lansdale/Montgomeryville area just waiting to be explored by you and your family.  Until then, Get Up and Get Moving.

            Be sure to visit the Montgomery Township and Lansdale Parks and Recreation web sites to view and sign up for classes and camps scheduled for the upcoming weeks and the summer months.  Some of those include:  jewelry, glass, mosaic, ceramic, and chess instructional classes, soccer camp, and science camp.