Almost every new beginning is accompanied by a certain amount of momentum. At this point of its evolution, the East Lampeter Township recreation department is trying to keep that initial flow going.

The recreation department's upcoming fall festival is a great way to build on that momentum.

"I feel like with anything new you need a year to develop and grow," said Lisa Cleveland, who's four months into her term as the first recreation director in East Lampeter Township. "We're still just starting out. We want to get through each season of the year and then continue to grow. My primary focus is to program for the community. There's a lot to do on the back side of these events. At the beginning, it's about setting the groundwork and finding people in the community who want to help."

The recently launched East Lampeter Township recreation department will conduct its inaugural Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon at East Lampeter Township Community Park, 2330 Hobson Road, Lancaster. The event is designed mostly for kids ages 2 to 12.

"I envision families coming, having a good time and meeting other people," said Cleveland. "I also see it as a way of promoting what's going on with the East Lampeter Township recreation department. You want kids to be active and to learn about the parks. We have these parks which are beautiful resources, and this is the perfect complement to them. Our public works department does a great job of keeping up with the parks. They're very well-manicured."

East Lampeter Township recreation department's Fall Festival will feature pumpkin painting, leaf crafts and other crafts, a scavenger hunt, face painting and other fun things for kids to do. The kids' activities are free.

For adults, the fest will include a Kokedama workshop that explores the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball. There is a fee involved with the Kokedama workshop.

In addition, Conestoga Valley SEEDS will host an information booth.

"Generally, the weather in the fall is better than the summer," said Cleveland. "It's the end of the growing season, and you've got beautiful fall foliage. The days are shorter, and kids are back in school with their friends. This is an opportunity to have fun and do something different. I'm sure there will be people making fun memories."

Since its inception in late May, the recreation department has hosted family movie nights, group yoga sessions, a hero hangout with first responders, a meet-and-greet with Olympic medalist Casey Kaufhold, a touch-a-truck event and a fall centerpiece workshop. Currently in the works are a walking club, a community garden and a summer playground program.

"It's been very positive so far," said Cleveland. "The community is responding very well to the events. I've only heard positive feedback, and I think the community wants more programs they can participate in. I want to program to what they want."

East Lampeter Township is home to 17,800 residents.

"You can't start everything at once," said Cleveland. "You've got to build on what you've got. We want people to tell their friends. We need to get more exposure, so people understand we have these programs for them."

For additional information about the East Lampeter Township recreation department, go to http://www.eastlampetertownship.org/departments/parks.