Educational Facilities
Manheim Township is part of the Southwestern School District. The District encompasses Manheim Township, West Manheim Township, and Penn Township. Within Manheim Township, the Manheim Elementary School building has been currently renovated and expanded to increase total student capacity. The elementary school reopened for the 2010-2011 school year.
www.swsd.k12.pa.us

Libraries
The Hanover Public library currently serves the residents of Manheim Township. Manheim Elementary School also offers a library facility that provides collections that cater to the student's age and needs.
http://www.yorklibraries.org/guthrie

Religion - Spiritual Services
Manheim Township is no different then many other communities in Pennsylvania, in that is was founded on the principle of religious freedom. The German religious settlers, Palantinates and Dunkers, arrived into this country in the early 1700's because of the religious oppression that they suffered in Europe. Most of the churches in the Township are descendants of those earlier settlers and their religious beliefs.

The following churches fall within the Township boundaries:

  • St. Paul's Lutheran and UCC (Dubs Church) is located on Dubs Church Road.
  • Lake Marburg Baptist (Formerly Oak View Baptist) is located on Smoketown Road.
  • St. John's Methodist Church is located on St. John's Church Road. (The congregation had disbanded but the building remains as a community landmark and is maintained by the Emmanuel United Methodist from Glen Rock.)
  • Black Rock Church of the Brethern is located on Glenville Road. Upcoming Handbell Concert
  • The State Park also offers services seasonally on Sundays at 9:00am from 5/30 through 9/4 by the Council of Churches.

 

Water and Sewer
The availability of water and sewer in Manheim Township is important both in terms of its present development and its future growth. Since public water and sewer services are not available or anticipated in the foreseeable future, care should be taken to assure a continued supply of groundwater and proper functioning of on-lot sewage disposal methods.

Water Service
Resident of Manheim Township depend on individual groundwater sources of supply (e.g. wells and springs). The nearest public water supply is located in West Manheim Township and is owned and operated by the West Manheim Township Water Authority. Other nearby public water facilities are located in Jefferson Borough (owned by the York Water Company) and in Penn Township (owned by the Hanover Water Department).

Sewer Service
Public utilities, especially sewer service, have profound effects on the ability to construct housing and non-residential development. Areas not served by public wastewater treatment facilities must rely on on-site sewage disposal, usually in the form of a septic tank and drain field. Areas outside sewer service areas typically require relatively large lots to allow adequate area for the necessary separation between the well and septic drain field. As a result, density is low and these areas do not have any significant flexibility regarding subdivision layout or design. Many older homes, which were constructed prior to the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act of 1966, may utilize cesspools rather than septic tanks and drain fields. There are no public sewer facilities within the borders of Manheim Township.

General Utilities
Adams Electric and Metropolitan Edison service all the electric power needs of Township residents. Century Link and Verizon  provide land line telephone service. TV programming, internet and other bundled services are provided through Century LinkComcast  and Verizon. These companies provide service to selected areas in the Township. Check availability via their websites. Solid Waste and recycling collection services are provided through Penn Waste.

Recreation
Manheim Township residents have access to a variety of facilities owned by public and private agencies in and around the Township. Manheim Adventure Community Park - See Manheim Adventure
Codorus State Park is located in the northern tip of the Township along Pennsylvania Route 216. The park consists of 3,326 acres. A prime attraction of the park is the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg. A total of 26 miles of shoreline are found in the park.

What Does Codorus State Park Have to Offer?
Rvs and tents are scattered around a grassy field near forest at Codorus. Year-round recreation is provided at Codorus State Park. Visitors may choose from a wide selection of recreational opportunities that include:

Family Camping: The 198-site campground opens the second Friday in April and closes the third Sunday in October. These sites are suitable for either tents or recreational vehicles up to 50 feet. Thirteen walk-in sites are available for tents only. Hot showers, flush toilets, and a sanitary dump station are available. Maximum stay is fourteen days and reservations are accepted for the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Organized Group Tenting: A primitive area with non-flush toilets is available to both organized youth and adult groups from the second Friday in April to the third Sunday in October. Advance reservations are required.

Hiking: The scenic park is enjoyed on foot by many hikers on the 5-mile hiking system.
FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION
Fishing: All warm water species, rainbow and brook trout have been stocked in the lake. Popular species are yellow perch, blugills, northern pike, crappie bass, largemouth bass, catfish, muskies and tiger muskies. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission laws apply. Many fishermen parking lots and areas are available. Bow fishing is permitted in the shallow cove areas.

HUNTING LICENSE INFORMATION
Hunting: Over 2,800 acres are open for hunting, trapping and the training of dogs, with the exception of : 1) hunting of woodchucks also known as groundhogs is prohibited and 20 dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day to to March 31 in designated hunting areas. Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations are in effect for all hunting activities in the park. In addition, Codorus State Park is limited to the use of three ty0pes of short-range weapons, shotgun, muzzleloader and bow during the appropriate hunting seasons. Waterfowl hunting is especially popular and duck blinds are awarded on the third Saturday in September, by a lottery. Other common game species are rabbits, squirrels, pheasants and whitetail deer.
 

People enjoy the large pool at Codorus.

Swimming Pool: The swimming pool sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Marburg. The huge pool, almost half of an acre, has a capacity of 1,900 swimmers and has a ramp for people with disabilities. The summer hours are 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Admission is charged. Swimmers arriving after 5 p.m. receive a discount. Season passes are available at the park office.

The pool is very popular and reaches capacity on holidays and many weekends. Mid-week swimming is often less crowded. A seasonal snack bar has hot and cold foods and beverages.

Boating: Non-powered boats, including sailboards and powered boats up to 20 horsepower are permitted. Non-powered boats must display one of the following: 1) State Park launch permit, 2) State Park mooring permit or 3) a current Pennsylvania boat registration. Motorized boats must display a current registration. Boats registered in other states must display a Pennsylvania State Park launch permit in addition to their current home state registration.

Sailboats are moored in the lake at Codorus.

Mooring: A variety of mooring spaces is available from April 1 to October 31. The mooring spaces include: a) 18 canoe rack spaces, b0 42 sailboat rack spaces, c) 146 sailboat dry storage spaces, d) 204 marina slips for boats up to 24 feet long and e) 240 marina slips for boats up to 16 feet long.

Launching: Seven launch ramps are located around the lake.

Boat Rental: Two boat rental concessions offer pontoon boats, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats and motorboats for rent.

Bridle Trails: A seven-mile bridle trail network attracts many horseback riders.

Environmental Education and Interpretation: The park provides programs from April to November. Programs include ecological and historical walks and talks, audio-visual presentations, campfires, school environmental education activities and youth programs. Nature trails and a bird viewing station are also available.

Picnicking: Two pavilions plus 900 tables are located throughout the park.

Snowmobiling: Registered snowmobiles may use a designated 100-acre area of the park daily after the end of antlerless deer season in late December.

Cross-Country Skiing: 300 acres of fields and woodland are used by nordic skiers.

Sledding: A 2.5-acre slope is available for the popular winter sport. An additional sledding areas with gentle slope is available in the marina area.

Ice Sports: With sufficient ice thickness, ice-skating is enjoyed by many on a 25-acre section of the lake. Ice fishing and ice boating are permitted on the rest of the lake.

Concessions: A food concession by the pool area and two boat rental concessions serve the public.