The supervisors of Mount Joy Township will host a grand opening ceremony for Old Trolley Line Park on Saturday, Sept. 18, but Parks and Recreation Board chair Karen Boyer said "ceremony" doesn't really sum up the event.

"It's not just a ceremony, but it's really a celebration of the park being ready for the community to use," Boyer explained. "This park is here to meet the needs of the community and to add opportunities for recreation. The population of this area is growing, and people are looking for places to go to get outdoors and have fun."

The grand opening will mark the completion of the first two phases of a four-phase renovation of the park, located at 475 Beverly Road, Elizabethtown. Phase one included two ballfields, a multipurpose field and paved walking paths. Phase two, which is nearing completion, includes a pavilion, a tot lot playground and youth playground, picnic tables and benches.

"There are paved paths through the park for all mobility levels," Boyer noted. "There's over a half-mile of trail around the park. This park has something for all ages." The trailhead of the Conewago Recreation Trail is also accessible from the parking lot, which includes access and parking for horses and trailers as well.

The festivities on Sept. 18 will begin with a Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary show from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a grand opening ceremony. The Elizabethtown Boys Club will run baseball clinics from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Middle Creek Search and Rescue will provide a demonstration at 1 p.m. A BMX bike giveaway drawing will be held at 1:30 p.m. A Northwest Regional Police Department K-9 demonstration will be held at 1:40 p.m. Additional participating organizations will include Northwest EMS, Elizabethtown Fire Department and Walters Servcies, featuring its mascot, Walter. Food trucks will be on site as well, including Jordon Irvin, Scoops Ice Cream & Grille and Fuego Latino.

Boyer said she's excited for the community to use the park that was purchased by Mount Joy Township in 2009.

"This park has been 12 years in the making," she stated. "This will be an all-year-round park. There will even be opportunities for cross-country skiing in the winter."

The grand opening will be held rain or shine. For more information or updates, visit http://www.mtjoytwp.org.