COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES
Community facilities and services are an important component of a developing area and add immeasurably to the quality of life. They encompass not only those facilities owned by the public but also those owned and operated by the private enterprises for the benefit of the community as well. Community facilities and services include schools, parks, recreation, police, fire protection, administrative functions, and utilities.
Municipal Administration
Manheim is a township of the second class, governed by a three-member Board of Supervisors. Other governmental bodies include a seven-member Planning Commission and a Zoning Hearing Board with three members. Other professionals who serve the Township include a solicitor, a zoning/code enforcement officer/township manger, three municipal auditors, a tax collector, a sewage enforcement officer, and a secretary/treasurer.
Manheim Township also has a Recreation Board that periodically meets to discuss and address recreational programming needs.
Recreation
Manheim Township residents have access to a variety of facilities owned by public and private agencies in and around the Township. Codorus State Park is located in the northern tip of the Township along Pennsylvania Route 216. The park consists of 3,326 acres. A prime attraction of the park is the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg. A total of 26 miles of shoreline are found in the park.
What Does Codorus State Park Have to Offer?
Year-round recreation is provided at Codorus State Park. Visitors may choose from a wide selection of recreational opportunities that include:
Family Camping: The 198-site campground opens the second Friday in April and closes the third Sunday in October. These sites are suitable for either tents or recreational vehicles up to 50 feet. Thirteen walk-in sites are available for tents only. Hot showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are available. Maximum stay is fourteen days and reservations are accepted for the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Organized Group Tenting: A primitive area with non-flush toilets is available to both organized youth and adult groups from the second Friday in April to the third Sunday in October. Advance reservations are required.
Hiking: The scenic park is enjoyed on foot by many hikers on the 5-mile hiking system.
Fishing: All warm water species, rainbow and brook trout have been stocked in the lake. Popular species are yellow perch, blugills, northern pike, crappie bass, largemouth bass, catfish, muskies and tiger muskies. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Many fishermen parking lots and areas are available. Bow fishing is permitted in the shallow cove areas.
FISHING LICENSE
| Type of License | Age | Cost | Agent Fee | Total |
| Resident | 16-64 | $21.00 | $1.00 | $22.00 |
| Senior Resident | 65 & up | 10.00 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Senior Resident - Lifetime | 65 & up | 50.00 | 1.00 | 51.00 |
| National Guard & Armed Forces Reserve (resident) | 16 & up | 1.00 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| 1 day Resident (not valid April 1-30) | 16 & up | 10.00 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Non-resident | 16 & up | 51.00 | 1.00 | 52.00 |
| 7-day tourist | 16 & up | 33.00 | 1.00 | 34.00 |
| 3-day tourist | 16 & up | 25.00 | 1.00 | 26.00 |
| 1-day tourist (includes all stamps, license not valid in April | 16 & up | 25.00 | 1.00 | 26.00 |
| Trout/Salmon Stamp | 16 & up | 8.00 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
| Lake Erie Permit | 16 & up | 8.00 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
| Combination Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit | 16 & up | 14.00 | 1.00 | 15.00 |
Hunting: Over 2,900 acres are open for hunting, trapping
and the training of dogs, with the exception of : 1) hunting of woodchucks also
known as groudhogs is prohibited and 20 dog training is only permitted from the
day following Labor Day to to March 31 in designated hunting areas. Pennsylvania
Game Commission rules and regulations are in effect for all hunting activities
in the park. In addition, Codorus State Park is limited to the use of three
ty0pes of short-range weapons, shotgun, muzzleloader and bow during the
appropriate hunting seasons. Waterfowl hunting is especially popular and duck
blinds are awarded on the third Saturday in September, by a lottery. Other
common game species are rabbits, squirrels, pheasants and whitetail deer.
Swimming Pool: One of the largest swimming pools in the state and a wading pool are open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless posted otherwise.
Boating: Non-powered boats, including sailboards and
powered boats up to 10 horsepower are permitted. Non-powered boats must display
one of the following: 1) State Park launch permit, 2) State Park mooring permit
or 3) a current Pennsylvania boat registration. Motorized boats must display a
current registration. Boats registered in other states must display a
Pennsylvania State Park launch permit in addition to their current home state
registration.
Mooring: A variety of mooring spaces is available from April 1 to October 31. The mooring spaces include: a) 18 canoe rack spaces, b0 42 sailboat rack spaces, c) 146 sailboat dry storage spaces, d) 204 marina slips for boats up to 24 feet long and e) 240 marina slips for boats up to 16 feet long.
Launching: Seven launch ramps are located around the lake.
Boat Rental: Two boat rental concessions offer pontoon boats, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats and motorboats for rent.
Bridle Trails: A seven-mile bridle trail network attracts many horseback riders.
Environmental Education and Interpretation: The park provides programs from April to November. Programs include ecological and historical walks and talks, audio-visual presentations, campfires, school environmental education activities and youth programs. Nature trails and a bird viewing station are also available.
Picnicking: Two pavilions plus 900 tables are located throughout the park.
Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use a designated 100-acre area of the park daily after the end of antlerless deer season in late December.
Cross-Country Skiing: 300 acres of fields and woodland are used by nordic skiers.
Sledding: A 2.5-acre slope is available for the popular winter sport. An additional sledding areas with gentle slope is available in the marina area.
Ice Sports: With sufficient ice thickness, ice-skating is enjoyed by many on a 25-acre section of the lake. Ice fishing and ice boating are permitted on the rest of the lake.
Concessions: A food concession by the pool area and two boat rental concessions serve the public.
Park Map:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/maps/codorus_mini.pdf
Campground Map:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/maps/codorus_camp.pdf
Other recreation areas include the following:
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Manheim Elementary School offers a playground area, which is operated during regular school hours. |
Emergency Services
Emergency services are essential to the safety and welfare of Manheim Township residents and businesses. The police, fire, and ambulance squads provide life and property saving services which are vital to the community's quality of life. Fire and police protection and emergency medical services are identified and discussed below.
Police Services
Police protection is an expected and appreciated service by the residents of Manheim Township. Currently Southwestern Regional Police Department serves Manheim Township.
Fire Services
Although there is no fire company located within the Township, adequate services are provided to Manheim residents by three area fire companies, which are dispatched according to the defined areas of responsibility as depicted by the Fire Company Service Area Map. These areas are also described below:
1. Pleasant Hill (Station 52): Serves essentially the northwestern quarter of the Township including portions of Black Rock Road, Hoffacker Road, Blue Hill, Zumbrum Road, and all of Ridge Road, Sunset Circle, Landis Road, Lee Road, Dubs Church Road, Baumgardner Road, and Marina Road. Presently, Pleasant Hill offers 4 Engines, 1 Brush Unit and 1 Utility Unit which are operated with 46 active volunteer members.
2. Jefferson Station (Station 47): Serves essentially the northeastern quarter of the Township. Jefferson provides 5 Engines and a quick response Medic unit serviced by 10 active volunteer members.
3. Lineboro (Station 7): Serves essentially the southern half of the Township. Lineboro provides 2 Engines, 1 Brush truck, 1 Air unit which are operated by 30 active members.
The 24-hour service provided by these volunteers is of tremendous value to the Township and should be recognized.
Ambulance Services
The Pleasant Hill and Lineboro Fire Companies provide ambulance service to Manheim Township residents. The Heart Unit Medic 46 out of Hanover also serves the Township.
Hospitals
The Hanover Hospital is the closest health care facility to Manheim Township. Manheim Township also has advanced life support offered through Hanover and York hospitals.
Educational Facilities
Manheim Township is part of the Southwestern School District. The District encompasses Manheim Township, West Manheim Township, and Penn Township. Within Manheim Township, the Manheim Elementary School building is currently operating with a total student enrollment, which is near its rated maximum student capacity. Children are bussed to the elementary school daily.
Libraries
The Hanover Public library currently serves the residents of Manheim Township. Manheim Elementary School also offers a library facility that provides collections that cater to the student's age and needs.
Religion
Manheim Township is no different then many other communities in Pennsylvania, in that is was founded on the principle of religious freedom. The German religious settlers, Palantinates and Dunkers, arrived into this country in the early 1700's because of the religious oppression that they suffered in Europe. Most of the churches in the Township are descendants of those earlier settlers and their religious beliefs.
The following churches fall within the Township boundaries:
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St. Paul's Lutheran and UCC (Dubs Church) is located on Dubs Church Road. |
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Lake Marburg Baptist (Formerly Oak View Baptist) is located on Smoketown Road. |
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St. John's Methodist Church is located on St. John's Church Road. (The congregation had disbanded but the building remains as a community landmark and is maintained by the Emmanuel United Methodist from Glen Rock.) |
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Black Rock Church of the Brethern is located on Glenville Road. |
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The State Park also offers services seasonally on Sundays at 9:00am from 5/30 through 9/4 by the Council of Churches. |
Utilities and Services
The availability of the various utilities in Manheim Township is important both in terms of its present development and its future growth. Since public water and sewer services are not anticipated in the foreseeable future, care should be taken to assure a continued supply of groundwater and proper functioning of on-lot sewage disposal methods.
Water Service
Resident of Manheim Township depend on individual groundwater sources of supply (e.g. wells and springs). The nearest public water supply is located in West Manheim Township and is owned and operated by the West Manheim Township Water Authority. Other nearby public water facilities are located in Jefferson Borough (owned by the York Water Company) and in Penn Township (owned by the Hanover Water Department).
Sewer Service
Public utilities, especially sewer service, have profound effects on the ability to construct housing and non-residential development. Areas not served by public wastewater treatment facilities must rely on on-site sewage disposal, usually in the form of a septic tank and drain field.
Areas outside sewer service areas typically require relatively large lots to allow adequate area for the necessary separation between the well and septic drain field. As a result, density is low and these areas do not have any significant flexibility regarding subdivision layout or design. Many older homes, which were constructed prior to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act of 1966, may utilize cesspools rather than septic tanks and drain fields.
There are no public sewer facilities within the borders of Manheim Township.
Other Utilities
The Adams Electric and Metropolitan Edison shares all the electric power needs of Township residents. Sprint, GTE and Verizon Telephone Service provide telephone service. Comcast Cable provides service to selected areas in the Township. Solid Waste and recycling collection services are provided through Penn Waste.