Greene Township has tons of outdoor recreation near Lake Wallenpaupack
In Greene Township, outdoor recreation is practically around every forested bend of the road. Located at the southern tip of Lake Wallenpaupack, this Northeastern Pennsylvania township is full of protected woodlands and dotted with smaller lakes and ponds. The tradeoff is that most shopping is at least 20 miles away, but it’s worth it for many residents, who Sarah Tigue, an associate broker at Keller Williams who has lived in the area for 45 years, says are drawn to the area’s outdoor spaces and activities. Easy access to Interstate 84 is another plus that makes commuting easier for those who live here year-round. A portion of people live in Greene Township only during the warm months, but there’s still a year-round population that embraces wintertime outdoor recreation.
Recreation at Promised Land State Park and Lake Wallenpaupack
Promised Land State Park sprawls across 3,000 acres, offering miles of hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails. Little Falls Trail, a local favorite, is just over a mile long and leads to a small, beautiful waterfall. It’s a flat trail, but there are a lot of roots and rocks, so boots with good traction are recommended. The state park is also a popular camping and hunting spot, and while its two lakes are smaller than Lake Wallenpaupack, people still flock there to fish, kayak and swim. “They have some pavilions there you can rent and barbecue, and they have concession stands,” Tigue says. “They have a public beach, which is free.” Winter opens up opportunities for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating and snowshoeing. Lake Wallenpaupack is still the main draw for many, though. Although the lake has a speed limit, Tigue says it has no horsepower limit for the boats allowed on it. Boating, tubing and jet skiing are always going on in the lake, but swimming and fishing are also popular. Lake Wallenpaupack is bigger, so it doesn’t always freeze in winter, but when it does, people also ice fish, ice skate and play hockey on its surface.
Cabin retreats and year-round homes with acreage
Greene Township’s cabin-style houses and hi-ranches are usually tucked into wooded lots. Tigue says these homes usually sit on at least half an acre, but over an acre is incredibly common. Cabins that don’t always have heating or cooling and aren’t intended for year-round living can cost between $70,000 to $225,000. Houses more suited to year-round living start around $245,000 for a fixer-upper, though at this price point, some still lack features like air conditioning. Most houses in the neighborhood max out at around $600,000. Many of the homes near the top of this range are located on a smaller lakefront, have extensive acreage or are near Lake Wallenpaupack. Homes near Lake Wallenpaupack are harder to find but may come with waterfront views and lake privileges even if they’re not directly on the water.
Getting involved in activities at Wallenpaupack schools
The Wallenpaupack Area School District, which Tigue says is a bonus for many potential residents, earns a B-plus from Niche. Children in Greene Township can attend Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, which has a B, for kindergarten through fifth grade. All children then move on to Wallenpaupack Area Middle School, which has a B, and Wallenpaupack Area High School, which has a B-plus. The high school has a wide range of extracurriculars, including technology, literary and culinary clubs.
I-84 is convenient for commuters, 29 miles to nearest hospitals
Greene Township’s easy access to I-84 makes it easier to get to more urban areas, though it’s still a bit of a trek; Scranton, for example, is about 29 miles away. Wayne Memorial Hospital and Regional Medical Center, the latter of which is in Scranton, are also both about 29 miles away.
Local restaurants and a grocery store, but a drive for other shopping
There are a few restaurants stretched along state Route 507. John’s Italian Restaurant is among the neighborhood’s most popular restaurants, and The Greentown Grill and Black Saddle Smoke House is best known for its barbecue. Mountainhouse Tavern is a popular spot for a drink and traditional pub food, and Jam Room Brewing Company has frequent live music performances. There are several restaurants outside Greene Township along Lake Wallenpaupack’s waterfront, so residents can head there when they want more options or dinner with a view. For groceries, residents go to Dutch’s Market; other options are more of a trek, including Lewis’ Supermarket 11 miles away and Lake Region IGA about 19 miles away. Other shopping is also a 19-minute drive, with a collection of locally owned shops found in Hawley on Lake Wallenpaupack’s north side.
Festivals and live music at Lake Wallenpaupack
There are events throughout the year around Lake Wallenpaupack. Wally Lake Fest is the area’s way of closing off the summer. “They have bands out on the water,” Tigue says. With that background of live music, people explore booths set up by local vendors or take off onto the lake on their boats. Restaurants around the lake, Tigue says, also tend to have live music. During winter, Wally’s Ice Fest also has live music, but winter activities take center stage. There’s keg curling, keg tossing and ice golf, plus a huge ice hockey tournament and bonfires where people can warm up. Lake Wallenpaupack doesn’t always freeze enough for ice hockey, but the years that it doesn’t, the tournament just moves to one of the area’s many smaller lakes.
Written By
Christina Norwood
