Get to know SWT Parks!

• View the complete South Whitehall Township Park Inventory (printable PDF)

• See important information below regarding our most popular parks, and current park projects!

• Scroll down for the Updated Park Rules.

• See Pavilion Rental Information and learn about Covered Bridge Park.

PUBLIC NOTICE:
Covered Bridge Park- 7:00 PM EST Park Closure on Weekends is Now in  Effect Until September 14, 2025

In accordance with § 240-4 (Hours and Closures) of the Parks and Recreation Ordinance 
(https://ecode360.com/45796929), Covered Bridge Park (2465 Wehr Mill Road, Allentown, PA 18104) 
shall close at 7:00 PM EST (1900 hours) on both weekend days (Saturdays and Sundays), effective 
immediately and continuing until Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM EST (1900 hours).

The gates of Covered Bridge Park will close promptly at 7:00 PM EST (1900 hours), so vehicles must 
be moved from the parking lots prior to that time on Saturdays and Sundays.

The closure is necessary due to continued observed activities that constitute violations of the 
Parks and Recreation Ordinance (Chapter 240- Parks and Recreation), including but not limited to 
the following:
• Cooking and grilling along the banks of and in the Jordan Creek.
• Placing tables and other objects into the Jordan Creek.
• Swimming in the Jordan Creek.
• Playing excessively loud amplified music.
• Parking vehicles in areas that are not designated for parking.
• Vandalism of Township facilities (including the restrooms).
• Excessive refuse accumulation and littering.
• Unauthorized motor vehicles accessing the trail.
• Holding special events without a permit.
These recurring issues will be actively monitored and enforced by Township personnel (including 
Police and Public Works).


Sincerely,
Thomas R. Petrucci, MPA
Township Manager

Covered Bridge Park

Located between two historic covered bridges along the Jordan Creek, Covered Bridge Park serves as South Whitehall Township’s premier park. This park currently has three rentable Pavilions with tables, three baseball fields, three football/soccer fields, two Basketball Courts, an 18 hole disc golf course, the Jordan Creek Greenway Trail, and public restrooms. This park is home to many of SWT Recreation's Community events including Concerts in the Park, The Tree & Bridge Lighting, the Youth Fishing Derby, the new Community Day Festival. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission stocks the Jordan Creek every spring, and SWT Recreation does as well right before our Youth Fishing Derby! This park is an ideal location for your next special event, picnic, or party!

• Main Park Entrance- 2465 Wehr Mill Road, Allentown, PA 18104.
• Click Here to view Updated Park Rules regarding use of the Creek
• Click to HERE see the Covered Bridge Park Master Plan. 
  • NOTE: the Township has applied for a grant towards a New Covered Bridge Park Master Plan. If awarded, the funding for a new master plan will provide updated suggestions and plans to address flooding, and updated feedback from the community regarding recreational needs and wants.  

The Vistas

The Vistas is a 7-acre neighborhood park located in the northwest part of the Township. In 2018, the Township embarked on a park improvement plan, and researched various options regarding playground and park design, engineering, and environmental, improvements. The Township applied to and was awarded grant funding from DCNR and DCED for the Vistas Park improvement project. After several necessary design and engineering changes, we are happy to announce this project will start construction as early as this Spring 2025! Keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for updates as we watch this project be completed! 

Jordan Creek Greenway

The Jordan Creek Greenway is a regional conservation initiative connecting communities, natural landscapes, and open spaces throughout Lehigh County. The Greenway will be connected through a multiuse trail running along the beautiful Jordan Creek. SWT has proudly completed another section of this trail in beautify Covered Bridge Park, which spans the length of the park. This regional trail is part of the greater Lehigh Valley network of trails known as THE LINK Trail Network. Once fully completed, this trail will connect the City of Allentown to the Trexler Nature Preserve and several community parks. Click HERE to learn more about the Greenway and the overall vision for this trail.

Kohler Ridge Park

South Whitehall Township acquired 26 acres of open space along the Huckleberry Ridge in 2018 with the thought of developing a passive, nature-centered park. The Township worked with Omnes Studio out of Easton, PA to complete a Kohler Ridge Park Master Site Plan, which can be viewed Here. UPDATE: This project is currently on hold as we review the feasibility of the submitted Master Plan.

Park Rules and Regulations: UPDATED 2025 

Township sanctioned events or programs are exempt from the following rules.
All parks and recreational areas are open to the public in accordance with the following schedule:

• Hours: All parks and recreational areas are open to the public from dawn till dusk on all days of the year.
  • Exceptions to regular hours:
    • Fishing. The park shall be open to fishermen, actively engaged in fishing activities, 24 hours per day.
    • For Township sponsored or sanctioned events and programs.
    • Lighted athletic fields/ courts that the Township has or may construct.
    • As permitted by the Township’ s Special Event Permit Process.
• Parking: Motor vehicles may not be parked within the parks or recreational areas except in designated parking areas. If an exception is requested, event planners will be required to submit a parking plan contemporaneously with the request for an exception.
• Fishing: Fishing is permitted in Covered Bridge Park in accordance with the current Pennsylvania fish laws, unless otherwise posted. No digging of bait is allowed.
• Swimming, bathing and wading: Wading is generally permitted in Township-controlled waters. Swimming shall not be permitted in Township-controlled waters. Bathing and washing activities shall not be permitted in Township-controlled waters.
  • No swimming, bathing and wading activities are permitted within 100 feet of a dam structure located in Township-controlled waters in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
• Prohibited activities: Camping, hunting, golfing ( striking or hitting of golf balls), trapping, fireworks, the use of firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows or slings, ice skating and digging of any kind are prohibited. Township sanctioned events or programs are exempt from this rule.
• Animal control: No animals are allowed to run at large in the park or recreational areas and shall be controlled by a leash at all times. The individual in charge of an animal entering any park or recreational area is required to be in possession of proper implements for the gathering and disposing of animal feces. All feces shall be collected immediately, removed from the park or recreational area, and disposed of in accordance with accepted sanitary standards.
• Fires: Fires are NOT Permitted. The Only open fires permitted are those in the grills of the pavilions used by those renting the pavilion, or by SWT staff for the use of community events. All be extinguished before leaving. Charcoal or other material used as the source of fuel for the fire shall be properly disposed of in the ash receptacles located in the park. Township sanctioned events or programs are exempt from this rule.
• Respect of park property: Cutting, mutilating, removing or taking away of trees, shrubs, or flowers or the removal, defacing or damaging of any park or recreational area property is prohibited.
• Alcoholic beverages: Drinking and the possession of alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Township sanctioned events or programs are exempt from this rule.
• Prohibited conduct: Intoxication, indecent language and disorderly conduct are prohibited.
• Prohibition of working on any motorized vehicles: No vehicle may be repaired mechanically, washed, painted or have any other work performed on it within the confines of any Township park.
• Activities requiring permits: A permit is required for the following activities on all Township properties and roads:
  • Reservation for pavilions.
  • Reservation of fields, courts, and trails for organized sports, including but not limited to practices, games, leagues, tournaments, and clinics.
  • Special Events
    • For purposes of this Chapter ” Special Events” shall mean any organized outdoor activity, show, contest, carnival, gathering, or meeting, other than regularly conducted church and school activities and organized sports covered under 240- 1( K)(2), which occurs upon any South Whitehall Township public property and/ or road, which will cause a disruption or change in normal traffic regulations or controls. These activities include but are not limited to social gatherings, special appearances, promotional activities, fundraising activities, footraces, concerts, parades and bicycle races.
    • In the event a permit is issued for a Special Event, it shall not be assigned to another party