Upper Frederick Township

Spacious lots, rolling countryside and public parks rule residential life in Upper Frederick Township. “We have lots of farms and no stop lights,” says Tracy Tackett, Township Manager. “It’s very rural, but easily accessible to urban areas. You can get to larger towns in about 15 minutes.”

An hour and a half northwest of Philadelphia, Upper Frederick Township offers a blend of cul-de-sac living and a more rural setting with plenty of acreage. You’ll see subdivisions with a mix of Colonial Revivals and modern farmhouse styles that are priced in the mid $400,000s and offer well landscaped lots and sidewalk access that invite a neighborhood stroll. There are working farms on 10-acre lots priced just below $1 million and stately homes with Victorian accents and wrap-around porches. Tackett notes that the mostly rural area does have one high-density development. “There is a town house community of about 330 town homes,” she says.

Students here, in addition to students in portions of Berks County, are served by the Boyertown Area School District, which has a B- rating from Niche. At New Hanover Elementary School, also rated B- by Niche, student progress is monitored by a standards-based report card as opposed to traditional letter grades. The educational experience at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West, rated A- by Niche, includes a variety of extracurricular clubs such as student council, video production and gardening clubs. Boyertown Area Senior High School offers dual enrollment courses, an internship program and a career portfolio. A requirement for graduation, the portfolio begins with researching pathways during freshman year and culminates in a final presentation at the start of senior year. Boyertown Area Senior High School has a B Niche rating and a student-teacher ratio of 18 to one.

You won’t have to look far here to find a place to play or relax. Upper Frederick Township maintains several recreational facilities including the 25-acre Friendship Park. “This park has a playground, pavilion and athletic fields,” Tackett says. You can explore the half-mile trail at Bob Wayland Memorial Park or take your dog to Speelhoffer Dog Park for a little off-leash fun. If you’re looking for a more serious hike, the Perkiomen Trail, locally known as the “Perky”, is a 20-mile trail that runs along Perkiomen Creek. The trail, made mostly of crushed stone with a few sections that are paved, passes through even more of the area’s abundant outdoor space, including Green Lane Park. Maintained by Montgomery County, Green Lane offers miles of multi-use trails, as well as opportunities for birding and boating. “The disc golf course is pretty popular,” Tackett says.

While you won’t find a lot of retail and restaurants in the township, locals will tell you it’s a small price to pay for peaceful, rural living. “Plus, you can be in bigger towns in about 10 to 15 minutes,” Tackett says. Nearby restaurants include Country Chef’s Kitchen, which locals say serves delicious breakfast and lunch items such as scrambled eggs, pork roll and home fries. Chiaro’s Pizzeria serves specialty pizza, stromboli and a variety of Italian entrees in a family friendly atmosphere. You can head over to A’Dello Vineyard & Winery and spend the afternoon sipping pinot on the patio. The winery often hosts live music and special events like yoga and paint-and-sip parties. “A lot of people drive into Pottstown,” Tackett says. “It’s a bigger town about 20 minutes away, and it has a pretty good eating selection.”

In Upper Frederick Township, you’ll have a bit of a drive to get to restaurants, grocery stores and even the schools, but locals will tell you that the laid back, peaceful lifestyle is worth the car ride. If you’re looking for a home with plenty of land and space to spread out, this township might be the perfect place for you.

Written By

Melissa Face

Photography Contributed By

TJ Engler