The North Penn Memorial Army Reserve Base has been a relatively quiet presence on Berks Road for over 50 years, but in the next few years, things will be changing. Congress has mandated that this base be closed by 2011, and the township has begun the process of planning for the reuse of this 18-acre property.

In the 1950s, this site was home to one of a dozen Nike missile bases designed to defend Philadelphia in the event of an attack by Soviet missles. By the late 1960s this program had ended, and the base was transferred to the Army Reserve for use as a training facility. A large brick building was constructed, along with parking for several hundred cars. For the next 30 years, various Army reserve units, including firefighters, engineers, and the Army band, were stationed here.

Now that these units are slated to move elsewhere, federal regulations give the township a chance to determine how this property will be used in the future. During the spring and summer of 2007, the township is holding a series of meetings to review proposals that have been submitted for the property, and to involve the community in the final decision. The schedule of meetings is listed on the township website.

Among other proposals, the township is investigating whether to acquire the property, at no cost, for use as a park and open space. Friends of Worcester supports this proposal, as do several other community groups, for several reasons.

This area of the township has no neighborhood parks where residents can access nature close to home. Surrounded by woods, a preserved farm, and horse pastures, this property retains Worcester's rural atmosphere and could provide many residents with a place to hike, picnic, and enjoy nature. The internal network of roads could become a loop trail for walkers, joggers, horseback riders, and bicyclists. Interpretive signs on the former Nike missile portion of the property should be installed to commerate Worcester's role in civil defence during the Cold War era. Portions of the large parking lot could be used for outdoor basketball, volleyball, tennis courts, and even an ice skating rink in the winter. The main building will enable the township to increase the number and type of community programs that can be offered.

Equally important is the possibility of connecting this site to nearby proposed trails, so that it could become another node in the chain of interconnected parks in our township. Friends of Worcester supports the township's vision to protect the rural character of our township, increase the township's open space, and provide recreational opportunities for residents by turning this property into a park for the entire community's benefit.