Spend the Day at Windlestrae

Bluebird skies, brilliant sunshine, cool breezes and mild temperatures ruled this past week. We hope that you have been able to get out there and visit some of the parks and open space that Patch has been highlighting every Friday, and that you have been able to take advantage of all their facilities and options for outdoor fun and exercise.

Montgomery Township certainly has its share of stellar parks, and going to the top of the class is the. This park, which consists of three sections, was recently renamed to honor Bill Maule and all of his achievements within the township.

Maule passed away in 2010 and was a longtime township resident. He was instrumental in starting many of the parks within the township and was also on the park board.

Windlestrae consists of an impressive 172 acres that is loosely divided into three sections—the main section, the Rose Twig section, and the Zehr section.  Each area is unique and provides various amenities for the user. All three sections join through either a walking trail, path, or a roadway.

The main section is accessible from Kenas Road and has an outstanding lineup of playing fields and equipment that is perfect for organized sports and general fun and exercise. This section includes three soccer fields, four baseball fields, a tot lot, picnic pavilions, a walking trail, a disc golf course, a pond and a walking path that connects to the Rose Twig section.

Beyond the creek and over a bridge sits a stately old stone Colonial home that is sometimes occupied through rental with the township.

The Rose Twig section, which was the former home of Camp Rose Twig, is also accessible from Kenas Road just beyond the entrance to the main section.  Inhabiting this area is a tot lot, a street hockey court, a batting cage, two soccer fields, two softball fields, two basketball courts, four tennis courts, a picnic pavilion and a walking trail. The facilities are in pristine condition and beckon the visitor to check them out.

The Zehr section offers three soccer fields and a walking path connecting to the Rose Twig section.  This expanse consists of a large portion of open and passive space, and it can be reached from Stump Road.

The William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae is by far the largest park in the Montgomery Township park system, and with its noteworthy facilities, it is one of the most used parks.

The Autumn Festival is held here on the first Saturday in October every year, and this year, it falls on Oct.1.

Stacy Crandell, the public information coordinator for the township, said that the festival is well attended.

“It is a nice community event that is attended by approximately 3,000 people every October. There will be vendors, pumpkins, a corn maze, rides and bounces, as well as a DJ and food,” she said.

One other parcel of open space in close proximity to the Windlestrae complex is the Memorial Grove, formerly known as the Horvath Open Space. This area is comprised of a giant sundial and a walking path set aside to honor those that have passed away. 

Family members and friends of the deceased may purchase a brick that bears the person’s name to be displayed. Benches encircle the sundial and provide a place for quiet contemplation and remembrance. A path leads through a wooded area and over a bridge to a large field.

Be sure to check out Montgomery Township’s website for upcoming children’s summer programs. They include an array of choices including chess instruction, an invention convention, pottery and jewelry instruction, and pony camp.