*** THE NORTH PENN AREA INCLUDES TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP, HATFIELD TOWNSHIP, HATFIELD BOROUGH, LANSDALE BOROUGH, UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP, NORTH WALES BOROUGH, & MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP, ALL LOCATED WITHIN MONTGOMERY COUNTY ***
Towamencin Township was settled in the 1690s and was officially established in 1728. The village of Kulpsville, which takes its name from Jacob Kulp, an early landowner, has always been the center of activities for the township. In 1955, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension interchange at Kulpsville was opened. This would set the stage for future development. Over the past decade, the township, especially in the Kulpsville area, has experienced significant development. In addition, many planners feel the area will continue to develop now that the Mid-County Expressway (Blue Route) is open. This highway connects Philadelphia International Airport and Route I-95 with the interchanges of the East-West PA Turnpike and the Northeast Extension of the Turnpike at Plymouth Meeting.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
All areas, with the exception of the panhandle portion of the township, have access to public water and sewer facilities. A full-time police force serves the residents. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors.
RECREATION:
A full-time recreation coordinator who runs all our activities. Facilities, which include North Penn School District, are open to residents. These include small parks with playground equipment, a swimming pool, basketball courts and much more. Little League programs are run by a private organization. For more information on what is available, please call 215-368-7602.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
No SEPTA bus or rail lines serve the township.
SHOPPING:
Smaller shopping centers are found in the township along with other types of small businesses. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall.
Hatfield Township was incorporated in 1742, somewhat later than its neighboring Townships of Montgomery, Franconia and Towamencin. The incorporated Boroughs of Lansdale and Hatfield brought about changes to the township's original size and shape. Originally, farming was the dominant industry. However, as time progressed, more commercial and industrial operations developed. Since 1960, the construction of industrial parks and related facilities has meant new employment opportunities for area residents. Hatfield has a fair amount of undeveloped land and is anticipating a modest increase in its industrial and residential base. It should be noted that some residents and businesses may be located in the township, but may have a Lansdale mailing address. Also, a small Northeastern portion of the township is commonly referred to as Colmar.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
The majority of the township, with the exception of the western and southwestern perimeters, are served by public water and sewer facilities. A full-time police force serves the township. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors.
RECREATION:
A township Parks Commission and a part-time director assist in running various programs. Facilities include a public swimming pool with tennis, basketball and playground areas. Little League programs are run by a private organization. For more information on what is available, please call 215-855-0900.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
SEPTA bus Route 96 connects a portion of the township with most of Central Montgomery County and when used in conjunction with other bus and rail lines, residents can have access to Lower Bucks County, Eastern Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.
SHOPPING:
Neighborhood and specialty shopping facilities are located throughout the township. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall.
Hatfield Borough was incorporated on June 27, 1898, and took its .63 square miles from Hatfield Township. Instrumental in the early development of the borough was the Bethlehem Branch of the North Pennsylvania Railroad (later the Reading Railroad, now SEPTA). Little open space is available for any type of substantial development. The borough does, however, provide housing and some consumer services to people in surrounding areas. Owners of nineteenth-century homes keep their properties in excellent condition, which helps give the borough a small town flavor. It should be noted that there is a Hatfield Township which completely surrounds the smaller HatfieldBorough. In terms of location, mailing addresses do not differentiate between the borough and the township.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
The entire borough is serviced by public water and sewer facilities. A full-time police force serves borough residents. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors.
RECREATION:
The borough contains two small parks that include playground equipment. Residents may join a swimming facility run jointly with Hatfield Township. Little League programs are run by Hatfield Little League. For more information on what is available, please call 215-855-0781.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
A SEPTA bus route connects the borough with most of central Montgomery County and when used in conjunction with other bus and rail lines, residents can have access to Lower Bucks County, Eastern Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.
SHOPPING:
A main street shopping area provides limited shopping opportunities. Nearby communities provide everyday consumer shopping locations. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall.
UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP
P.O. BOX 1 PARKSIDE PLACE WEST POINT, PA 19486 215-699-7777 www.uppergwynedd.org
Upper Gwynedd Township was created on December 16, 1891, when Gwynedd Township was split into two separate municipalities. An old Indian trail became a major transportation route called Sumneytown Pike and hotels, businesses and taverns centered around this "Great Road." The township remained primarily agricultural up to the time of the Second World War. It was at this time that both residential and industrial developments would become increasingly noticeable. Merck & Co. has a 400-acre complex in the heart of the township and has assisted greatly with various municipal infrastructure improvements. Over the past decade, this township has experienced an almost 30 percent increase in population and an increase in housing units of 33 percent. The most recognizable community in the township is West Point. Also, some residents and businesses may have a Lansdale or North Wales mailing address.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
The entire township is serviced by public water and sewer facilities. Some large parcels of land are presently without these services but could be hooked up. A full-time police force serves the residents. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors. The township may put the service out for bid to one hauler.
RECREATION:
Facilities include playgrounds, fields for softball and baseball, and a public swimming pool. Little League programs are run by a private organization. For more information on what is available, please call 215-699-7777.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
SEPTA bus and rail service connects the township with other areas of Montgomery County and Lower Bucks County.
SHOPPING:
Neighborhood and specialty shopping areas are located throughout the township. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall.
North Wales Borough was incorporated on August 20, 1869. This was the first borough created by the Montgomery County Courts. The borough's seven tenths of a square mile were taken from what was, at the time, Gwynedd Township. The business community consists primarily of professional offices and small stores. Industry, which once heavily supported the borough, has moved to surrounding municipalities where there was room for expansion. The borough has practically no remaining developable land. However, the quality of its existing housing stock, and its prime location in the heart of the North Penn Community, makes this small borough a very attractive location. It should be noted that many residents and businesses will have a North Wales mailing address, but will actually be located in surrounding municipalities.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
The entire borough is serviced by public water and sewer facilities. A full-time police force serves the borough. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors.
RECREATION:
Facilities include a children's playground, Weingartner Memorial Park, a swimming pool run jointly with Upper Gwynedd Township, and a basketball court. Little League programs are run by the Nor-Gwyn Athletic Association. For more information on what is available, please call 215-699-4424.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
SEPTA bus and rail lines give the commuter easy access to all major points, including Philadelphia, Lower Bucks County and other major points in Montgomery County.
SHOPPING:
A main street shopping area provides area residents with many basic goods and services. The nearest major shopping mall is the Montgomery Mall, which is very close.
Montgomery Township was established in 1714. The network of roadways that were developed throughout parts of the township helped create commercial centers, including inns, taverns, and trade centers. These small centers developed into villages that were the forerunners for development. The growth of population, business and industry which began shortly after World War II, is continuing into the 2000s. Montgomery Township was the fastest growing Montgomery County municipality between the census periods of 1980 and 2000. Today, the township attracts consumers with a large variety of commercial/retail establishments, including the Montgomery Mall. The best-known section of the township is Montgomeryville. It should be noted that residents or businesses may actually be located within the township, but have a mailing address of Lansdale or Colmar.
PUBLIC SERVICES:
All but the eastern one-third of the township is served by public water and sewer facilities. The township is in the process of constructing a sewage treatment plant to serve the remainder of the township. A full-time police force serves the community. Fire protection is provided by volunteer companies. Residential trash disposal is arranged by private contractors.
RECREATION:
A Parks & Recreation Committee oversees various programs. Facilities include three parks, a nature center, a fitness trail, tennis courts and softball fields. Little League programs are run by the Montgomery Township Baseball Association. For more information on what is available, please call 215-393-6900.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
SEPTA bus lines provide easy access to the Greater Central Montgomery County area. From points in Lansdale and North Wales Boroughs, the commuter has access to lower Bucks County, Eastern Montgomery County, and Philadelphia.
SHOPPING:
The Montgomeryville section of the township (in and around what is commonly referred to as the 5 points intersection) is one of Montgomery County's biggest retail areas. Several strip and neighborhood shopping centers, along with the Montgomery Mall are located here. Two new projects, one of which is underway, will be adding more retail space over the next couple of years.
