Blooming Grove is a quiet area close to Lake Wallenpaupack
Although it’s unclear whether Blooming Grove was named for a grove of apple trees or blooming Mountain Laurel, the name fits the rural, heavily wooded neighborhood. Little lakes also dot Blooming Grove’s surface — so much so that they cover a total of 2.2 square miles. But Sarah Tigue, an associate broker at Keller Williams who has lived in the area for 45 years, says that Lake Wallenpaupack, located just a few miles away, is still one of the biggest draws to the area. Easy access to major highways, which makes the area more easily commutable, is another attraction to those who look to buy here.
Hiking in Promised Land State Park, swimming and kayaking in lakes
Blooming Grove is surrounded by protected forests like Promised Land State Park. Stretching into the southern portion of the neighborhood, the 3,000-acre park has two lakes popular for kayaking, fishing and swimming, plus miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. There are camping sites for tents and cabins. During winter, the park is just as active, offering opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and more. And since the park is surrounded by the over 12,000-acre Delaware State Forest, it’s full of wildlife. Hunting is permitted in the park during the proper seasons. Less than 8 miles away, Lake Wallenpaupack is also a big draw, especially during the warmer months. Tigue says the lake has no horsepower limit for boats, so boating and tubing are popular pastimes, alongside jet skiing, fishing and swimming. Costa’s Family Fun Park is also located in Blooming Grove, offering water slides, go-karts, bumper cars, laser tag and more.
Houses and hunting cabins on wooded acreage
Log cabin-inspired houses and hi-ranches in Blooming Grove are often surrounded by trees. “Blooming Grove is a town where the properties are generally spacious,” Tigue says. “You can find a small cabin or you can find a large house.” An acre of land is common, though there are some homes with somewhat smaller lots. Houses in the township typically start at about $220,000 and climb to $400,000. Hunting cabins, which often don’t have features like heating or cooling, are also common in Blooming Grove and typically cost between $75,000 and $155,000. Not all of Blooming Grove is rural, though; in its southeast corner, Hemlock Farms is a gated community surrounding a collection of lakes. The community is almost a town in and of itself, with its own parks, country club, church and synagogue. It’s so different from the rest of the town, in fact, that while it’s technically within Blooming Grove’s borders, Tigue says many people consider it completely separate. The community is still heavily wooded, giving it a quiet atmosphere, but homes here cost more than elsewhere in Blooming Grove. Inland houses start as low as $150,000 for fixer-uppers, but occasionally climb to nearly $600,000. Houses on one of the community’s lakes fetch much higher prices on average, typically costing between $415,000 and $1.2 million.
Extracurricular activities at Wallenpaupack Area High
The Wallenpaupack Area School District earns a B-plus from Niche, and Tigue says the district also serves as a plus for many potential residents. Children can attend Wallenpaupack Primary School, which also has a B-plus, from kindergarten through second grade before moving on to Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School, which has a B. From there, students attend Wallenpaupack Area Middle School, which has a B, and Wallenpaupack Area High School, which has a B-plus. The high school offers extracurriculars like environmental, technology and literary clubs.
Restaurants along Lake Wallenpaupack, Hawley’s nearby downtown
Blooming Grove Tavern is a small bar and restaurant with a relaxed vibe that serves burgers and wings. It’s the neighborhood’s only restaurant, so Tigue says residents often drive to waterfront restaurants on Lake Wallenpaupack. The Dock serves seafood like crab cakes and salmon, and Gresham’s Chop House is known for its prime rib. Both have waterfront views. Nearby, Reno’s Pizzeria isn’t quite on the water, but it’s still a popular spot for a quick pizza. For more options, residents drive about 9 miles to Hawley, which has a little downtown with a collection of shops and restaurants. Residents also head toward Hawley for groceries; Lake Region IGA is located close to the downtown area, about 8 miles from home.
Easy access to I-84 and Route 6
Blooming Grove has easy access to Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 6, as well as a few smaller roads like state Route 739 and state Route 434. Wayne Memorial Hospital is about 19 miles away, and it’s a 34-mile drive to both Scranton and Stoudsburg, which are the closest urban areas.
Summer and winter festivals at Lake Wallenpaupack
Tigue highlights the slate of annual events in Blooming Grove as another perk of living in the area, especially events that take place around Lake Wallenpaupack. Wally Lake Fest features live music, local vendors and plenty of boating. During the winter, the Wally Ice Fest also sees a huge turnout. A huge hockey tournament played on frozen lakes — Lake Wallenpaupack itself if it freezes well enough, but smaller ones nearby are available alternatives if it doesn’t — is at the center of the day, but there are also bonfires, live music, keg curling, keg tossing, axe-throwing and ice golf. “There’s also a chili and wings cookoff,” Tigue says.
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Christina Norwood
