Rolling farmland and highway access define Valley
Valley offers space and a slower pace of life in the hills and valleys north of Danville . The Montour County township, home to a little more than 2,100 people, is mostly a patchwork of farms, small subdivisions and undeveloped woods. However, Interstate 80 intersects with a state highway in the heart of the enclave. This more commercialized area with hotels, gas stations and fast-food chains caters to highway travelers and truckers. Residents here enjoy the seclusion of country living and the convenience of being less than 5 miles from Danville, which offers a bustling downtown stretch for shopping and dining.
Subdivisions mix with farmland in this scenic enclave outside Danville
Valley’s single-family homes are either spread out on country roads or grouped together in small subdivisions. Pastures surround rural farmhouses and ranch-style homes, which typically offer acreage and additional structures like barns and sheds. Bi-levels and Colonial Revivals fill subdivisions such as Valley Green, which offer a traditional neighborhood feel without the rules and regulations of a homeowners association. Properties in the hilly northern half of the township often have sweeping views of the valley below. Most homes cost between $145,000 and $600,000.
Due to the rural nature of Valley, properties often have private wells and septic systems. Several creeks flow through the township. Some properties along these waterways rest within or near flood hazard areas, according to FEMA flood maps. The township receives heavy snowfall in the winter.
Valley students can attend Danville Area schools
The Danville Area School District, which has four schools and a prekindergarten program, earns an A-minus overall rating from Niche. Danville Primary offers kindergarten through second grade and receives a B rating. Third through fifth graders can attend the B-plus-rated Liberty Valley Intermediate. The A-minus-rated Danville Middle serves grades sixth through eighth. Danville Area High gets a B-plus and partners with the C-plus-rated Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School to offer students training in fields such as construction, technology and manufacturing.
Outdoor recreation at Hess Recreation Area and beyond
Valley has one park, Sunnybrook Park and Pool, which has been serving the township since it opened in 1927. The community-funded park is public and features a playground, picnic areas and a field. Residents can join the Sunnybrook Park Association for access to the outdoor pool and the organization's many events. Nearby, the Hess Recreation Area is a 115-acre green space, hidden in the woods between Mahoning Creek and state Route 54. It offers a variety of activities, from fishing and hiking to skateboarding and baseball. The J. Manley Robbins Trail, notable for being the country’s first rail trail, features a historic covered bridge. In Danville, parks dot the banks of the Susquehanna River, including Montgomery Park, which has a canoe and kayak launch. From the park, residents can enjoy a scenic walk along the mile-long Riverfront Trail. The nearest hunting grounds are about 13 miles away in State Game Lands No. 226, which also offers more than 7 miles of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Dining and shopping options are nearby in Danville and Hemlock
Fast-food chains and hotels surround the Interstate 80/state Route 54 interchange in Valley. More restaurants, as well as boutiques and grocery stores, including Weis Markets and Giant, are available in Danville, less than 5 miles away. The borough is also home to the closest full-service hospital, Geisinger Medical Center. National retailers, such as the Home Depot and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, are about 10 miles away in Hemlock .
Valley is a car-dependent township
Due to the lack of any available public transportation options in the area, residents rely on private vehicles to get around Valley and much of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Interstate 80, which is a major east-west highway through the state, and state Route 54 crisscross through Valley. The intersecting highways connect the township to nearby communities such as Danville and Bloomsburg. Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport is a little over 60 miles northeast, while Harrisburg International Airport is around 80 miles south.
