Multi-generational farms and small-town amenities in Paradise Township
From a bird's-eye view, Paradise Township is a green and brown patchwork made by the township’s rural landscape. Like other York County townships, agriculture is still the primary industry in Paradise. “The farms are still multi-generational,” says Tony Miller, administrator for the township. “But it’s not a community that if you come in, you’re given a cold shoulder because you haven’t been here forever. It’s a pretty welcoming community.” Despite its proximity to big towns and cities, Paradise wants to maintain its agricultural landscape. “It will not be built up because of the way our zoning is. It would take a lot of zoning alterations to do a lot as far as industry,” Miller says. “If people drive through Paradise Township, you’re going to see what’s going to be there for the next 20 years.” However, Paradise has more amenities than neighboring townships, with a community park, a smattering of restaurants and U.S. Route 30 linking the town with Hanover and York . The township also borders Abbottstown and East Berlin, small towns with additional restaurants and parks.
Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes on multi-acre properties
Cornfields line Paradise’s winding roads. Long driveways branch off the streets, leading to Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes with attached garages. The occasional New Traditional home is more common closer to Hanover Country Club on the western side of town, located in communities like Country Club Heights. Homes typically range from $230,000 to $550,000. Properties span half an acre to 12 acres, with homes on higher acreages often selling for more. The township receives a 1 out of 10 Cap Index Crime Score, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Baseball games at Farmer's Field and golfing at Hanover Country Club
Farmer’s Field is the township’s community park. The baseball diamond hosts local leagues, and there’s another open field for soccer. The walking path passes the playground. While the town’s zoning ordinances make comprehensive upgrades hard, the township is working on upgrading some of its existing amenities, like the town park. “Right now we’re looking at putting two pickleball courts in,” Miller says. Hanover Country Club’s grounds are private, but include a full, 18-hole course, tennis courts and a pool. For additional outdoor space, residents head to East Berlin or Abbottstown. Miller says the East Berlin Area Community Center offers classes and fitness center access to its residents and those from surrounding areas, including Paradise Township.
Students can join various clubs at Spring Grove Area School District
Paradise Elementary School receives a B-plus from Niche. Fifth and sixth grade students attend Spring Grove Intermediate School, while seventh and eight graders head to Spring Grove Area Middle School. Spring Grove High School has a diverse range of extracurriculars, like the fishing club, which cares for trout from February to May that they will then release into local streams. All three schools receive B-plus ratings.
Paradise's local restaurants and Hanover's shopping centers
Paradise Township has a handful of restaurants, mainly concentrated around Abbottstown. Graybill Restaurant offers a mix of American and Mexican fares. New Era Restaurant and Bar has a shaded patio lit by string lights. Its menu is comprehensive, covering everything from burgers and steaks to seafood. Old Farm House Tea Room serves tea in fancy kettles alongside scones and little sandwiches. All the tables have lace tablecloths. Paradise has a Dollar General for quick pickups, but the nearest grocery store is the Weis Market in East Berlin, 4 miles away. Hanover Crossing Shopping has a Walmart Supercenter and Aldi, about 10 miles away, along with department stores like Petco and Home Depot. “It’s easy access if you want to drive to the Giants and Walmart-type things, but then there’s also a lot of small mom-and-pop places,” Miller says. “In the summer, there are lots of produce stands on the side of the road.”
U.S. Route 30 connects Paradise with bigger cities like York
Most roads through Paradise are narrow, two-way country roads, where drivers might get stuck behind the occasional tractor. U.S. Route 30 is the biggest thoroughfare, linking it with York, about 12 miles east. Hanover is about 11 miles south and offers medical services at UPMC Hanover, about 10 miles from Paradise. For traveling beyond York County, Harrisburg International Airport is about 40 miles away, located in the Keystone State’s capital.
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Written By
Caroline Ernst
