Hazle Township surrounds a small city in the Pocono foothills
Pennsylvania’s Hazle Township surrounds the city of Hazleton, south of Wilkes-Barre. Home to about 10,000 residents, this part of the Pocono foothills was once dominated by the coal industry. The area has villages, commercial centers and residential areas interspersed with pockets of nature, including rivers and lakes. Several state parks and state game lands are nearby. Students can attend the Hazleton Area School District, and residents have access to shopping and dining choices in the city of Hazleton.
Varied styles throughout, including in private Eagle Rock Resort
Ranch-style homes and split-levels are tucked among the trees along Tomhicken Road, while similar styles, plus Colonial Revivals and some duplexes, line Providence Road near Hazle Township Community Park and Birch Road near Ebervale, one of the villages. The latter two areas have the feeling of a classic suburb, with clean, wide lawns, mature trees, landscaped bushes and shrubs and streetlights along the roads. Other stretches of road are surrounded by dense trees or commercial areas. The Eagle Rock Resort is a private community south of Tomhicken to the west of Hazleton. Lots for building are still available, with some completed homes on offer as well. The median home price in the township is about $250,000.
Resorts, state parks and a community park within a short drive
The Pocono foothills provide ample choices for recreation, with Sugarloaf Mountain and Hawk Mountain close by, and Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Resort both within 60 miles. In addition to state game lands for hunting and lakes and rivers for fishing, three state parks lie within 30 miles of the township: Tuscarora State Park to the south, Nescopeck to the north and Hickory Run to the east. Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails is a popular hiking choice, while Hazle Township Community Park provides play areas, sports fields and picnic areas near Lake Irena. Kids play youth baseball at Babe Ruth Baseball Field.
Hazleton City events and performing arts centers
Township residents can enjoy Hazleton city events, such as the Rockin’ the Mountain Summer Concert Series, and several holiday celebrations, including a tree-lighting ceremony, New Year’s Eve fireworks and the Trail of Treats near Halloween. These annual events are all free. Hazelton also has performing arts spaces: Pennsylvania Theater of Performing Arts stages plays, while the Wiltsie Center, housed in a historic former school known as “the Castle,” hosts musical performances.
The Laurel Mall and Hazleton eateries provide plenty of options
Residents can make the quick trip into Hazleton for the shops and restaurants there, but some significant shopping is within the township itself. The Laurel Mall has department stores, a food court and more, with other chain shops and restaurants dotting the surrounding area. Aldi and Walmart are also close to the mall. Restaurants in Hazleton include Bottlenecks Bar and Grill, 309 Pizza, and The Pines Eatery and Spirits, which serves salads, sandwiches and seafood and pasta entrees.
Hazleton Area School District offers high school academies
The Hazleton Area School District serves the township and earns a C from Niche. The district has an early learning center, which earns a C-plus, and Arthur Street Elementary School, which earns the same grade. Seven elementary/middle schools make up the remainder of the district, along with Hazleton Area High School, which scores a B-minus. Hazleton Area High School students may apply for a variety of options, such as the Academy of Sciences, Arts and Humanities Academy and Virtual Academy.
Interstate 81 and local transit connect the area
Wilkes-Barre is about 25 miles north of the township via Interstate 81, which runs through the township and intersects with Interstate 80 about 9 miles north. Hazleton Regional Airport and the Scranton Wilkes-Barre International Airport are about 4 miles and 34 miles away, respectively. Hazleton has buses that serve the city and surrounding townships Monday through Saturday, with Church Street Station as the focal point of the service. Philadelphia is around 120 miles away via Interstate 476, and New York City is about 130 miles east. Hazleton’s Lehigh Valley Hospital is about 5 miles away.
