School Road Park
By Beverly Fink
Park User
Nestled between a golf course and an industrial park, School Road Park first came to my attention in 2002. It had only been established in the early 90s, around the time we moved to Hatfield from Philadelphia.
A project between Hatfield Township and the local Hatfield Baseball Association to erect lights at the baseball field brought me to the park with my husband, who worked on the project. We didn’t realize then how much time we would spend in this lovely piece of Hatfield.
Back when my sons were younger and playing Connie Mack and American Legion Baseball, I spent nearly every evening – most of spring, all of summer, and a good way into fall – at the park, sitting in the snack stand of the baseball field. The park is my favorite place to be deep in the fall, when the leaves have changed and everything is all reds and golds and oranges. Later in the evening, you can sit and see the trees, illuminated by the baseball field lights, and the dark sky overhead. I have taken many photos of that scene, but none do it justice. The park late at night (some games went until almost midnight), when the moon is shining through the trees and deer walk by like you are not even there, is a pretty magical place.
When the light project was completed and night games started, our own field of dreams was realized. It became an amazing place where new friendships were made as we all watched our kids grow up. It was even more amazing to see them all go off to college to continue their baseball careers. Now, we see many of them back here, coaching their own children.
There are many memories from School Road Park. Games and championships won. The (not) dead possum that taught us all what “playing possum” really meant (too many city folks moved to the burbs!). The skunks in the dark. The hawks who hang out on top of the light poles. The golf balls coming in from the neighboring course – and the baseball heading back there! The year they said a bear was in the area and we left food out to try to see it (not smart, but fun at the time!).
Besides baseball, School Road Park is a good place for fun of all kinds. We have attended many concerts and festivals there. There is plenty of open space to wander in or along the trails; it’s like having our own bit of the wilds right here in Hatfield. In nice weather, I try to walk there either in the morning before work or during lunch. I’m glad we have this great park right here in Hatfield.
