We hope that you and your family have remained safe & healthy during these extraordinary times. As you may be aware, many programs, activities, and special events have been cancelled or restructured  throughout the county, region, and state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Understandably, our department has been receiving questions regarding how COVID-19 will affect our parks, camps, programs, and special events. This web page will provide answers to some of the most common questions that we’ve received. It will also include the most up-to-date information made available by our department. This information will be updated as developments occur, so please be sure to check back periodically.

Coronavirus resources at the local, state, and national level are updated regularly to keep you informed. Access those resources by using the links below.

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania Department of Health 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Guidelines) 

Most Recent Updates:

Updated: 8/31/2022

Masks Optional in Township Buildings

The current Whitemarsh Township COVID-19 guidance is that masks are optional while in township buildings or participating in township programs. The continued health and safety of our program participants is our top priority. If you are not feeling well please do not attend your program. We are following all CDC and Montgomery County Health recommendations during this time, including the cleaning and sanitizing of our buildings and equipment. If you test positive for COVID, it is important that you contact the coordinator in charge of your program immediately so that we can follow our health and safety plan. You can find the coordinator of your program through the welcome email you received and  Please continue to utilize our hand sanitizer stations located in the entrance of all our buildings and washing your hands throughout the day. 

Click Here for the COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

Updated: 1/6/2022

COVID Advisory

The health and safety of our participants is our top priority. If you are not feeling well please do not attend your program. We are following all CDC and Montgomery County Health recommendations during this time, including the cleaning and sanitizing of our buildings and equipment. Masks must be worn AT ALL TIMES while participating in our programs. If you test positive for COVID, it is important that you contact the coordinator in charge of your program immediately so that we can follow our health and safety plan. Please utilize our hand sanitizer stations located in the entrance of all our buildings.

Click Here for the COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

Click Here for the Parks and Recreation Staff Directory

Updated: 6/28/2021

PA Lifts Universal Face Coverings Mandate

The Updated Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings was lifted on June 28, 2021. There is no longer a statewide requirement to wear masks. Pennsylvanians should follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance and policies. In addition, all individuals should still follow guidance at workplaces, local businesses, long-term and residential care facilities, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters. With this announcement, face coverings are no longer required for vaccinated individuals in Township facilities. Informative signage has been updated throughout the Township to reflect the most recent updates. The Township will continue to monitor guidance related to COVID-19 from the PA Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, moving forward. We welcome and encourage the public to safely use & enjoy our Township parks and facilities.

Updated: 6/1/2021

Playgrounds

The Township playground areas are open for community use during park hours.

Pavilion Rentals

The Miles Park Pavilion is currently being rented for the Spring-Summer-Fall seasons. There is a limit of 1 rental per day. Rentals will be limited to 50 persons or less. All current CDC guidelines must be followed.  The Parks and Recreation Department reservation process must be followed and a permit will be provided for all approved requests. The Parks and Recreation Department reserves the ability to not approve, cancel, reschedule, or refund any reservation in accordance with high capacity park usage or changes in COVID-19 regulations. 

Other areas available for outdoor picnic/party rentals include the Miles Park Concession Pavilion, the Cedar Grove Barn Courtyard, and the Leeland Park Pavilion. Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 610-828-7276 with any inquiries.

Updated: 5/14/2021

July 4th Parade Won't Be Held This Year

Whitemarsh Township will not hold its annual 4th of July parade this year.

Due to health and safety concerns and the timing of parade logistics, the Township’s 4th of July Parade Executive Committee recommended to the Board of Supervisors that the parade be cancelled. The Board of Supervisors carefully discussed the parade at its May 6 meeting and accepted the recommendation of the committee.

Township staff spoke with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health and the Township’s insurance carrier and reviewed CDC guidelines in researching the viability of the parade and preparing a recommendation for the Supervisors. The Committee includes the Lions Club of Whitemarsh, the Police Department and Fire Company representatives, community members, and Township staff.

The Township understands that the parade is an important tradition for the Whitemarsh community and looks forward to holding a parade on July 4, 2022.

Updated: 4/6/2021

Restrooms/Comfort Stations

The outdoor park restrooms and comfort stations are open for the Spring-Summer-Fall seasons. They will be open from 6:00am until 9:30pm daily. CDC guideline signs have been posted reminding users to wash hands. The areas will be sanitized once daily. 

Basketball Courts

The outdoor basketball courts are open for public use. Please follow all CDC recommended guidelines to protect yourself and others. The Miles Park basketball court lights will be on daily from 7:00pm until 9:30pm. 

Playgrounds

The Township playground areas are open for community use during park hours. CDC guideline signs have been posted at playground areas. At this time, the Township is sanitizing the playground equipment once daily with a BNC One Step Disinfectant Cleaner manufactured by Spartan. It is an EPA and CDC approved sanitizer that has a 3 minute time period to eliminate a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Staff is on-site to make sure that equipment is dry and safe, and advise the public as would be needed.  The application is generally being applied first thing in the morning.

Water Fountains

The outdoor water fountains in the park systems have been turned on for the Spring-Summer-Fall seasons. Signs have been posted with CDC guidelines that recommend the water fountains be used as bottle refill stations only. 

Pavilion Rentals

The Miles Park Pavilion is currently being rented for the Spring-Summer-Fall seasons. There is a limit of 1 rental per day. Rentals will be limited to 30 persons or less. All CDC guidelines must be followed including wearing masks and social distancing. The Parks and Recreation Department reservation process must be followed and a permit will be provided for all approved requests. The Parks and Recreation Department reserves the ability to not approve, cancel, reschedule, or refund any reservation in accordance with high capacity park usage or changes in COVID-19. 

Other areas available for outdoor picnic/party rentals include the Miles Park Concession Pavilion, the Cedar Grove Barn Courtyard, and the Leeland Park Pavilion. Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 610-828-7276 with any inquiries.

Interior Rental of Buildings

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Township is currently not renting interior spaces out of an abundance of caution.

Pets in the Park

Their Doodie is Your Duty! A friendly reminder to all park users to please keep all pets leashed and always remove your pet waste. 

No Dumping

Please help us to keep the Parks Clean! A friendly reminder that there is No Dumping, Disposing of Yard Waste, or Littering in the park or trail areas.

Updated: 12/10/2020

2021 Summer Camp Update

Registration for our Cedar Grove & Miles Park summer camps will open to Township Residents, beginning on Thursday, December 10th, 2020. Registration will then open for non-Township Residents on Monday, February 15th, 2021. Please note that all camps will be operating under the same guidelines that were established last summer in accordance with current CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines in regards to COVID-19.

• All COVID updates regarding camp will be posted to this webpage (www.whitemarshparks.org/COVIDupdates) and will be emailed to currently enrolled camp participants, as the updates become available.
• All camps will be operating at a 50% max for summer 2021.
• No outside visitors will be scheduled at this time.
• No field trips will be scheduled at this time.

Please note that the Parks and Recreation Department will change these procedures based on positive developments with COVID-19 and shifts in regulations as provided by the CDC. It is the goal of the Department to provide a safe, happy, and enjoyable summer experience for all children of the community.

Updated: 11/19/2020

Updated Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Requiring Universal Face Coverings - Coaches & Athletes

Indoors: Coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear face coverings, when indoors and where another person or persons who are not members of the individual's household are present in the same space, irrespective of physical distance. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines, etc. 

Outdoors: Coaches, athletes (including cheerleaders), and spectators must wear face coverings if they cannot maintain sustained physical distance from persons outside of their household. This includes while actively engaged in workouts, competition, and on the sidelines, in the dugout, etc. If sustained six-foot distancing can be maintained, face coverings may be removed when outdoors.

Click here for the Pennsylvania Department of Health: Universal Masking FAQ

Sanitization of Playgrounds 

The Township has spoken to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and it is recommended to sanitize high touch areas in the park playgrounds. At this time, the Township is sanitizing the playground equipment twice per-week, with a BNC One Step Disinfectant Cleaner manufactured by Spartan. It is an EPA and CDC approved sanitizer that has a 3 minute time period to eliminate a wide range of viruses and bacteria. This application is being applied first thing in the morning. The equipment can be used once it is dry, which takes 5-10 minutes after application. 

Safety Measures & Supplies

We are happy to report, all additional (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment and materials that are required to sanitize, disinfect and clean due to COVID-19 regulations have been acquired by Whitemarsh Township, and will be utilized.

If I am already registered for a fall program or special event, but would like to cancel, what is the refund policy?

Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation reserves the right to cancel any program, trip, or camp due to insufficient participation or for participant and staff safety. On the occasion that the department cancels a program, a full refund will be given in the form of check or credit card used for payment. Refunds take four weeks to process. We do not issue cash refunds.

Program, Activity, or Special Event Refund Policy

• A participant may request to be removed from a program, activity, or special event but must do so one week prior to the program start date to receive a full refund, less $5.00 processing fee, or a full credit to be used within one year of issuance. 
• Participant requesting a refund within one week of the program start date will receive a 50% refund or credit. At this point, supplies have already been ordered, staff hired, etc. for programs.
• Once a program starts, no refunds will be issued.
• We do not pro-rate for late registration.
• Refunds / credits are not given for any classes you choose not to attend.
• If the Governor of PA declares a specific number of participants is unsafe, or the COVID-19 pandemic becomes unsafe and quarantine is issued a pro-rated full refund will be issued.
• Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel the program at any time out of an abundance of caution for participants and staff given the COVID-19 crisis. A full pro-rated refund will be issued.
• All refund requests should be made prior to the end of the registered program.