Heuser Park
By Natalie MacNamara
Hope Community Church Program Coordinator
For the past several years, Hope Community Church has held a free community egg hunt at Heuser Park. This 111-acre park has three baseball fields, which provide ample space for egg hunts for toddlers through fourth graders. In addition, we are able to use the football fields for crafts, family-friendly games, face painting, and more. The park provides a lush and scenic background for photos with the Easter Bunny as well. Afterwards, kids enjoy time on the large playground that is suitable for small and big kids alike.
Each year, we have the opportunity to work alongside other community members who help make this event a success. The Upper Merion Parks and Recreation department provides the park and facilities and the Upper Merion Baseball Association allows us to use the kitchen to make and give away free hot chocolate and snacks to guests. In addition, the Upper Merion Police Association assists with traffic and helping participants crossing the road to attend the event. We also use this occasion to collect donations for the local school district. In 2016, for example, we asked for disinfecting wipes and antibacterial wipes. Thanks to our generous community, were able to donate bags of these supplies to each of the local elementary schools.
There are many things we look forward to with this event, but by far one of our favorite things is getting to know and interact with members of the community in a fun, relaxed, and safe atmosphere. Whether it is working with children to decorate potted plants, playing bingo, taking pictures with characters, participating in an obstacle course, or chatting over a warm cup of hot cocoa, we find so much joy in serving others and showing how love works in tangible ways: one person, one family, one community at a time.
We are thankful for such a beautiful, well-maintained park in our community where we can hold an event like this.
