Two restored homes for rent offer unique opportunity to live in  Dauphin County's Detweiler Park

MIDDLE PAXTON TWP., PA (October 23, 2019) – Two recently renovated homes available for rent and offering a unique chance to live in Dauphin County’s scenic Detweiler Park were unveiled today by the Dauphin County Commissioners.

The four-bedroom home used by the Detweiler family, at 130 Clarks Valley Road, is located in the heart of the park and features beautiful front and back patios. The rustic 1861 Peters Mountain House, at 1701 Peters Mountain Road and bordering the park, offers amazing views as well. The Detweiler home is available for $2,000/month and Peters Mountain for $1,200.

For more information on the homes, both in Middle Paxton Township, please visit www.DetweilerPark.org

“Our county’s Parks and Recreation staff did a first-class job of renovating both homes while keeping the original feel,’’ said board Chairman Jeff Haste. “Income from the rentals will go toward maintaining this 411-acre gem.”

Additionally, the commissioners approved the hiring of Pennsylvania-based consultant Simone Collins Landscape Architecture to assist in developing the Detweiler Park’s master plan, the “owner’s manual’’ for the park. In the coming months, the 16-member Detweiler Park Master Site Plan Steering Committee and the consultant will hold public meetings to get input from residents on features they want to see in the park.

“We want to encourage the public to attend the public meetings and let us know what they want see at Detweiler,’’ said Commissioner Mike Pries. “This is a gift we’re giving to future generations, and it is critical we strike the right balance of preservation and recreation.’’

Since Detweiler Park in Middle Paxton Township opened in the summer of 2017, more than 600 visitors have weighed in, with suggestions ranging from keeping it natural and adding more hiking trails and restrooms to a fenced-in dog park and trails for bicycles. There have also been requests to allow hunting, which will receive consideration along with other potential activities. About 1,500 people visit the park every month, taking advantage of the seven miles of walking trails through various habitats. Detweiler also features a fish hatchery maintained by the Dauphin County Anglers and Conservation Club on Clark’s Creek and two fields, each approximately 75 acres, that some have suggested could be used for festivals and events.

“Quality of life issues are a priority for this board, and when we saw an opportunity to preserve this land for our residents, we made it a priority,’’ said Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III. “The importance of parkland to our quality of life, our health and wellness and our economy cannot be overstated.’’

The commissioners purchased the park from the Detweiler family, which lived on the property for four generations and once operated the Harrisburg Telegraph, WHP and Stackpole Books.

The Detweilers donated $897,500 of the land’s $2.4 million purchase price to the county. The remaining money came from an $887,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and $607,500 in county gaming grant money from the Hollywood Casino at Penn National.

Funding for the park master planning process comes from an additional $75,000 DCNR grant and a $75,000 gaming grant.

In addition to using the rental income from the two houses to help pay park expenses, last year the commissioners kicked off the “Adopt-A-Chair’’ fundraising campaign that features beautiful Adirondack chairs, handcrafted by E&S Vinyl in Millersburg. Each $200 chair features a personalized plaque of the donor’s choosing and will provide beautiful seating areas at the park for years to come.

For more information about the Adopt-A-Chair campaign, the two homes available to rent, suggest what you would like to see at the park and to find out about upcoming public meetings and events, go to www.detweilerpark.org