Quittie Creek Nature Park

In 1989 a group of concerned Annville citizens approached Annville Township about unregulated dumping near a wetland in an abandoned limestone quarry near the Quittapahilla Creek. The group suggested that the quarry and additional streamside woodland, owned by the Township, be developed for recreation. In response, Township Commissioners designated the 23 acre woodland area and quarry  as a passive recreation park, called the Quittie Creek Nature Park.

The Quittie Creek Nature Park Committee, now associated with Friends of Old Annville, was formed in 1989 to maintain the park through volunteer efforts and to raise funds for major park projects. The park committee raised funds to construct a wooden pedestrian bridge to connect the park to South Annville neighborhoods in 2007.  

In 2012, the park committee raised funds to expand the park by purchasing an additional 11 acres of stream-side woodland, contiguous with the park at its eastern end.  And in 2018, and additional 2.64 acres of contiguous streamside land was added to the park, creating a 1.3-mile hiking path along the Quittapahilla Creek from High Street to Willow Drive.  See Details of 2018 Park Expansion.

Annville history is evident the Quittie Park area.  Trails take you past five existing lime kilns (see image of a kiln under snow) that once produced lime from limestone mined in the park quarry.  A water-powered mill on the Quittapahilla Creek once slaked and ground the lime for use in fertilizer and cement. The mill site is noted by a brass historical marker on the main trail near the footbridge.  See a slide show on the History of the Annville Lime Company, and its relationship to Bachman's Mill.

In addition the park contains the remains of an old weir dam used to direct the flow of the Quittapahilla Creek through a water wheel pump house that sent water from the nearby Penryth Spring to reservoirs in the hills north of town.  See a slide show about the History of the Annville Water Company and its relationship to the Quittie Creek Nature Park.

And most certainly you will walk out onto the award-winning Raymond J. Swingholm Pedestrian Bridge, pausing to look at the Quittie from the unique vantage point it offers.  The bridge was erected during the fall of 2007, connecting Annville and South Annville Township. The construction of the bridge was carried out under the Transportation Enhancement Program of PENNDOT and with grant support from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development.  Additional funds were received through private donations to the Quittie Creek Nature Park.

 You may even be one of the cross-country skiiers, ice skaters, or showshoers who head to the park in winter And none other than the Audubon Society recognizes the Quittie Park as an important birding site. In short, the Quittie Creek Nature Park is a local treasure: a place of nature, history, recreation, and serenity.