Hemlock Farms Community Association facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hemlock Farms
Census-designated place
Location in Pike County and the state of Pennsylvania.
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Pike
Area
• Total	8.15 sq mi (21.12 km2)
• Land	7.71 sq mi (19.96 km2)
• Water	0.45 sq mi (1.16 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,901
• Density	506.23/sq mi (195.45/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	42-33772
Website	http://www.hemlockfarms.org/

Hemlock Farms Community Association (HFCA) is a special kind of community in Pike County, Pennsylvania. It's a place where people live, and it's located across three different areas: Blooming Grove, Porter, and Dingman Townships. You can find it just south of Interstate 84, surrounding a lake also called Hemlock Lake. In 2010, about 3,271 people lived here.

HFCA is a large, private community that covers about 4,500 acres (or 18 square kilometers). It stretches between Pennsylvania State Routes 402 and 739. It's the biggest community in an area known as Lords Valley.

Who Lives in Hemlock Farms?

In 2020, the population of Hemlock Farms grew to 3,901 residents. This number includes both people who live there all year round and those who visit on weekends or during the summer.

A Look Back: History of Hemlock Farms

The story of Hemlock Farms began in 1927. That's when William Brewster started buying the land that would later become this community.

From Private Estate to Community Living

In 1963, a company called Home Smith International bought 4,500 acres of land. They paid $700,000 to turn this private estate into a community. Their plan was to create 3,726 lots for homes.

Today, most of these lots (95%) are owned by individual people. More than 3,000 homes have been built. About 1,000 of these homes are lived in all the time. The rest are used by people who come for weekends or summer vacations.

How the Community Works

Everyone who owns property in Hemlock Farms is a member of the HFCA. This association is a non-profit organization. It owns and takes care of all the roads, lakes, ponds, green spaces, and other shared areas within the community.

What Can You Do in Hemlock Farms?

Hemlock Farms has many fun things for its residents to enjoy.

Community Fun and Facilities

• Lakes and Beaches: There are four lakes, each with beach areas and bathhouses. You can also rent boat racks at five different spots.
• Swimming Pools: The community has two outdoor swimming pools, also with bathhouses.
• Sports Courts: You'll find ten tennis courts (plus more at the country club), two baseball fields, two basketball courts, a volleyball court, and two bocce courts.
• Kids' Areas: There's a children’s playground and a special Teen Center.

The Steer Barn Clubhouse

The Steer Barn Clubhouse is a great place for indoor activities. It has:

• An indoor pool
• A sauna and steam room
• A kiddy pool and Jacuzzi
• Locker rooms
• A fitness center
• Rooms for arts and crafts
• A game room
• An auditorium/theater for shows and events

More Activities and Services

In winter, Hemlock Farms has its own private skating rink. During the summer, there's a special summer camp for kids. The community also has private hiking trails for exploring nature.

Safety and Protection

• Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue: This group has been providing fire and ambulance services to HFCA since 1969. They help keep everyone safe.
• Public Safety Department: This is HFCA's own private police department. They have guards at two of the three entrances to the community. Plus, at least two patrol officers are always on duty.

Protecting Nature: Hemlock Farms Conservancy

The Hemlock Farms Conservancy was started in 2009. It's a non-profit group that helps take care of the beautiful forested areas within HFCA. Their main goal is to keep the natural beauty of Hemlock Farms alive.

Lords Valley Country Club

The Lords Valley Country Club (LVCC) is a private club located within Hemlock Farms. It's not part of the HFCA, and it actually existed before Hemlock Farms did! The club has a limit of 400 members.

What the Club Offers

Members of the LVCC can enjoy:

• An 18-hole golf course
• 10 tennis courts
• Swimming facilities
• Dining options

In 2014, the LVCC was recognized as one of the top country clubs in America. It was ranked number 31 out of 125 clubs on the Platinum Clubs of America's Five Star list.

Club's Journey Through Time

The LVCC started in 1945 as the Pocono Skyline Golf Club. It faced some money problems and was renamed Mountain Resorts in 1954, becoming inactive for a while.

When Western Heritage bought the land for HFCA in 1963, they also made a deal with Mountain Resorts. The club then changed its name to Lords Valley Country Club.

In 1970, a fire caused a lot of damage to the club. But in 1972, the LVCC bought the land it was on. In 1973, the club's owner sold it to its members.

From Estate to Golf Course

The area where HFCA is now was once part of William Brewster's private estate. In 1931, after building his home, he added a pool, an eight-hole golf course, a two-lane bowling alley, and a billiards room. Today, these facilities have been updated and are part of the LVCC. In 1964, more holes were added to the golf course, making it a full eighteen holes.

The golf course was designed by Norman H. Woods. It's a par 72 course, which means a good golfer should be able to finish it in 72 strokes.

Learning and Schools

Most of the Hemlock Farms area is part of the Wallenpaupack Area School District. If you live in the southern part (Porter Township), you would go to the East Stroudsburg Area School District. The eastern section (Dingman Township) is in the Delaware Valley School District.

See also

In Spanish: Hemlock Farms para niños