Peaceful living near Tamaqua
Sitting between the forks of Hosensack Creek, Park Crest is a residential pocket in Ryan Township, Schuylkill County. The community is in proximity to many outdoor places, including the Lakewood Park Campground and the Tuscarora State Park, which encompasses the namesake lake, a beach area and miles of trails. Park Crest is zoned for the Mahanoy Area School District, and locals often go to Tamaqua for food and groceries. With Pennsylvania Route 54 and Interstate 81 close by, larger city areas such as Pottsville are also accessible. “People like Park Crest for the quiet, slow-moving pace,” says David Pedron, who is a local broker at RE/MAX Five Star Realty with 18 years of experience. “It’s kind of rural and has a small town feel, yet it’s close enough to Hazelton’s industrial parks and distribution centers for people to get work.”
Homes have peaceful privacy in Park Crest
Like many areas in the county, wavelike hills dominate Park Crest’s landscape, and houses are occasionally perched above ground level. Properties tend to be spread apart, and each has its own driveway. Some roads are private, offering homeowners plenty of privacy and peace. Single-family homes in Park Crest usually list between $100,000 and $300,000, and lot sizes vary from a half-acre to over 5 acres. There are also several land plots listed between $20,000 and $70,000. “Some houses were built in the 1920s to the 1940s, and newer constructions were from the 1970s to the 1990s,” Pedron says. Common architectural styles include Cape Cods, Colonial-inspired, ranch styles and Craftsman bungalows and cottages.
Close to Lakewood Park Campground
There are many outdoor areas and recreational venues located right outside the community. Lakewood Park Campground is a popular site that has paddle boat rentals and a catch-and-release fishing program at the 10-acre park reservoir. There are also many activities such as wagon rides, scavenger hunts and themed socials on weekends. The Catalpa Grove at Lakewood Park, which is adjacent to the campsite, is a popular event venue for weddings. “It’s very pretty and has a big ballroom,” says Joan Goodman, a local Realtor at Joan Goodman Real Estate with 16 years of experience. When the winter holiday approaches, folks go to Schroeder Family Farms and pick out their own Christmas trees. People can also go to the Bavarian Softball League and catch a game, or book tee times at the White Birch Golf Course. Located about 3.5 miles to the east, the Tuscarora State Park encompasses 1,618 acres and is centered around Tuscarora Lake. Folks can hike, take guided tours, have picnics, swim at the beach in the summer or go boating.
Manhanoy Area School District
Young students from kindergarten to sixth grade may attend Mahanoy Elementary School, which is rated C-plus by Niche. Mahanoy Junior/Senior High School scores a B-minus and offers a variety of sports programs, including golf, track, football and swimming. Mahanoy High also opened a new STEM lab in 2023, which is officially named The Senator James J. Rhoades Memorial STEM Lab. The facility features machines for manufacturing, a 3-D printer, laptops with virtual reality capabilities and software that teaches students graphic design and programming skills.
Shopping and dining in neighboring Tamaqua
Since Park Crest is mainly residential, folks go to neighboring towns for groceries and food. Tamaqua is about 7 miles east of the community and is home to Walmart and Boyer's Food Market. The Hometown Farmers Market, self-operated by the Dunn family since 1982, is Tamaqua’s year-round marketplace for locally grown produce. Popular eateries in the borough include The Beacon Diner and Basile Italian Delight Restaurant.
Proximity to Pottsville
The Tuscarora R/C Flying Club hosts the annual Aerorama, which features two days of flying demonstrations, a car show and live music. Festivals in Tamaqua include the Tamaqua Heritage Festival in October and the Tamaqua Summerfest, which has train rides, crafts, music and food. Additional events in the county include the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival and the Schuylkill Winterfest.
Events in Tamaqua, Tuscarora and the Schuylkill County
Pennsylvania Route 54 runs through the car-dependent community, and Interstate 81 borders the area’s west side. Tamaqua is about 7 miles east, while Allentown is 45 miles east via Pennsylvania Route 309. Drivers can take Pennsylvania Route 61 and Interstate 81 down south to access Pottsville, which is roughly 17 miles southwest of the area. Philadelphia is approximately 94 miles away via Interstate 476. For flights, folks can either head north to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport, which is 47 miles away via Interstate 81, or head east for about 47 miles to reach the Lehigh Valley International Airport. In addition to the proximity of a handful of worship places, Park Crest is also close to several hospitals, including the St. Luke's Tamaqua Medical Center and the St. Luke's Hospital - Miners Campus, both of which are less than 10 miles away.
