Parks & Recreation
The Borough of Tenley Falls is proud to maintain several public parks, recreational facilities, and community programs for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Our parks system, though modest in scale, reflects the borough's longstanding commitment to outdoor recreation, green space, and community gathering. Whether you're looking for a quiet walk along Spruce Creek, a summer evening of live music, or a plot to grow your own tomatoes, Tenley Falls has something to offer.
Parks and recreation programming is overseen by the Parks & Recreation Committee of the Borough Council, chaired by Council Member Patricia Wodzicki. The Committee meets quarterly to review maintenance needs, plan seasonal events, and coordinate with community volunteers. Residents are always welcome to attend Committee meetings or to share ideas for new programs and improvements.
Parks & Facilities
Veterans Memorial Park
Location: Maple Street | Size: 4.2 acres
Veterans Memorial Park is the borough's largest and most-used public space. The park features a children's playground, a full-size basketball court, and a picnic pavilion available for reservation by residents and community groups. At the park's center stands the Veterans Memorial flagpole and bronze plaque, dedicated in 1986 to honor Tenley Falls residents who served in the armed forces.
The picnic pavilion was renovated in 2018 with generous support from the Tenley Falls Lions Club. The pavilion includes four covered picnic tables, a charcoal grill station, and access to a portable restroom facility during warm-weather months (April through October). See Facility Reservations below for booking information.
Spruce Creek Greenway
Length: 1.3 miles | Surface: Gravel
The Spruce Creek Greenway is a walking trail that follows Spruce Creek from the falls at the northern end of the borough south to the borough line. The trail offers a pleasant, shaded walk through one of the most scenic stretches of the creek valley. Bird watching is a particularly popular activity along the greenway, and several species of warblers and woodpeckers have been observed in the riparian corridor during spring and fall migration.
The pedestrian bridge at approximately mile 0.4 was repaired in 2022 after sustaining damage from high water. The Borough thanks residents who reported the deteriorated decking.
Please note: The Spruce Creek Greenway is a gravel-surface trail with some uneven terrain and is not currently ADA accessible. The Borough is aware of this limitation and welcomes input on potential accessibility improvements.
Borough Community Garden
Location: Behind Borough Hall, 147 Commerce Avenue
The Borough Community Garden offers 24 individual plots available for seasonal rental. Plots are assigned annually on a first-come, first-served basis beginning March 1, with a rental fee of $15 per season. The growing season runs from approximately mid-April through September 30. There is currently a waiting list of six households.
Gardeners are reminded that plots must be actively maintained through September 30 or may be reassigned to waiting-list households. Unattended plots with visible weed overgrowth will receive a courtesy notice before any reassignment action is taken.
For plot availability or to add your name to the waiting list, please contact Linda Pascarella at the Borough Office: (724) 462-0173.
Tenley Falls Playground
Location: Oak Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets | Ages: 2–12
The Tenley Falls Playground is a small neighborhood playground serving families in the central borough. Equipment includes a swing set, a climbing structure with slide, and a spring rider. Playground equipment was last updated in 2015. The area is unfenced and unsupervised; children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Seasonal Programs
Spring
- Annual Creek Cleanup — Held each April along Spruce Creek and its tributaries. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. Trash bags, gloves, and light refreshments are provided. Meet at the Greenway trailhead at 9:00 AM. In 2025, twenty-three volunteers collected over 400 pounds of litter and debris. Contact the Borough Office to sign up.
- Community Garden Plot Assignments — Plot assignments for the growing season begin March 1. Returning gardeners receive priority through March 15, after which open plots are assigned from the waiting list.
Summer
- Summer Concert Series — Enjoy live music on four Thursday evenings in July at Veterans Memorial Park. Concerts run from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions are available courtesy of the Tenley Falls Volunteer Fire Company.
2025 performers included:
July 3 — Route 40 Revival (classic rock and country covers)
July 10 — The Garrett Mountain Boys (bluegrass)
July 17 — Hilltop Sound (folk and Americana)
July 24 — Second Wind (Motown and oldies)
The 2026 lineup will be announced in late spring. Local musicians interested in performing should contact the Parks & Recreation Committee through the Borough Office.
Fall
- Tenley Falls Harvest Festival — Held the third Saturday of October on Commerce Avenue. The Harvest Festival features local craft vendors, a bake sale, hayrides, pumpkin decorating for children, and live acoustic music. The festival has been a borough tradition since 1994.
Please note: The 2025 Harvest Festival was relocated to Veterans Memorial Park due to construction activity on Commerce Avenue. The Committee thanks all vendors and attendees for their flexibility. A determination regarding the 2026 festival location will be made over the summer.
Winter
- Holiday Tree Lighting — Held the first Saturday of December on the Borough Hall lawn. The Mayor leads a brief ceremony and countdown before the tree is illuminated. Hot cider and cookies are provided by the Borough Office staff.
- Cocoa & Carols — A community holiday sing-along co-sponsored with Tenley Falls United Methodist Church. Held the second Sunday of December in the church fellowship hall. Families are welcome. Hot cocoa, coffee, and baked goods are served. Song sheets are provided.
Facility Reservations
The picnic pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park is available for reservation by residents and community groups for gatherings, family reunions, birthday parties, and other events. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Facility | Veterans Memorial Park Picnic Pavilion (covered, seats approx. 32) |
| Available | April 1 – October 31, 8:00 AM – dusk |
| Resident Rate | $25 per day |
| Non-Resident Rate | $50 per day |
| Deposit | $25 refundable cleaning/damage deposit (all reservations) |
| How to Reserve | Contact the Borough Office at (724) 462-0173 to check availability and complete a reservation form. Payment is due at the time of booking. |
| Cancellation | Full refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the rental fee; deposit is still returned. |
Reserving parties are responsible for cleaning up the pavilion area after use. Deposit refunds are processed within two weeks following the event, pending a satisfactory condition check by borough maintenance staff. Alcohol is not permitted in borough parks.
Dog Park Proposal
In 2024, the Parks & Recreation Committee reviewed a proposal submitted by several borough residents for the establishment of a small, fenced dog park at the eastern end of the Spruce Creek Greenway. The proposal was discussed at the Committee's June and September meetings, and an informal survey of residents along the adjacent stretch of Hemlock Drive was conducted to gauge neighborhood support.
Initial feedback was generally positive, and a preliminary site assessment was completed by the Borough's Public Works Department. However, the Committee has tabled this item pending resolution of the borough's current capital budget priorities. The proposal remains on the Committee's agenda and will be revisited when funding considerations allow. Residents with questions or comments about the dog park proposal may contact the Borough Office or attend an upcoming Parks & Recreation Committee meeting.