Pastoral Briar Creek has proximity to Berwick and Bloomsburg
Within the Allegheny Plateau and bordered by the Susquehanna River, Briar Creek, Pennsylvania, is known for its scenic views, farmland and rolling countryside. The township is less than a mile from Berwick Borough and 13 miles from Bloomsburg, the Columbia County seat. These areas have shopping, dining and employment opportunities, another draw for Briar Creek residents. There is also a borough of the same name within the township. Much like the township, the borough is made up of farmlands and greenery, but has a larger concentration of homes and is closer to shopping and dining in Berwick.
Hiking, boating and swimming in Briar Creek
State Game Land Number 55 borders Briar Creek and encompasses parts of the Huntington Mountain and Lee Mountain areas. Visitors are permitted to hike, hunt and fish in the area. Nearby is Evansville MX Park, a motocross course that offers lessons and hosts races.
The township’s namesake, Briar Creek Lake, is a popular boating and fishing location with a park for picnicking. The park also houses the Fowlersville Covered Bridge, one of the last covered bridges in the county. It was built in 1887 in North Centre Township but moved to the park in 1986. The Berwick Golf Club is a private 18-hole course outside Berwick Borough. The course also has a pro shop and a clubhouse. Ber-Vaughn Pool, within Briar Creek Borough, is open during the summer and has a kiddie pool with a splash pad and a large lap pool with a rock climbing area. The pool has two baseball fields, tennis courts and a playground for year-round recreation.
Single-family homes on farmland
Homes are built back from the road, down side streets, or on farmland. Most houses have front and backyards, and those outside the borough use wells and septic tanks. Most homes in the area are ranch-styles and split-levels. They range in price from $125,000 to $350,000. Property taxes on homes in the township may also be lower than those in the borough.
Briar Creek runs through most of Briar Creek Township and Borough and may flood during severe weather. The township and borough are part of the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides policies to residents, even if their homes are not within a floodplain.
Commuters use state routes and interstates
Briar Creek borders Berwick, but those farther out may take state Route 93 into the borough. Bloomsburg is 24 minutes west using Interstate 80. The area is an employment hub within Columbia County, and many work in the Geisinger hospital system, Bloomsburg University and PPL Electric Utilities. Using state Route 487, the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital is 12 miles away, and the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is 40 miles north using U.S. Route 11. Houses of worship within the area include Evansville Community Church and NC Church.
Shopping and dining in Berwick and Bloomsburg
Hog’s Hollow Saloon, in the township, serves pub fare, specialty cocktails and American comfort food in a modern, rustic setting. The bar also hosts weekly entertainment and seasonal open mic nights. Bandit’s Roadhouse is less than a mile away in Berwick Borough. The bar has a rustic atmosphere and serves pub food and Mexican and American dishes. Giant and Aldi are along Route 11 for groceries. The Berwick Farmers Market is open from June through October on Fowler Avenue for seasonal fresh produce. More shopping and dining are in Bloomsburg, which has a Main Street lined with locally owned restaurants.
Students attend school in Berwick
The Berwick Area School District, which receives a B-minus from Niche, serves the area. Children may attend West Berwick Elementary School, which gets a C-plus, and Berwick Middle School, which receives a B-minus. Students continue to Berwick High School, which gets a B-minus. The high school offers student-run clubs such as debate, golf and physics.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
