East Lampeter Township now has a recreation department, and the sky's the limit for future activities in the community.

For the record, the East Lampeter Township Recreation Department is currently about three months old. The inception of the department coincides with the hiring of its first recreation director, Lisa Cleveland, on May 28.

"The township saw a need and is supporting the program, and I think it's going to go far," said Cleveland. "I think the potential is incredible. You're only limited by your imagination because we have the resources. We want to program for the community and get feedback from the community. I want to hear from the community and find out where their interests lie."

East Lampeter Township is home to four recreation parks: Community Park, 2330 Hobson Road, Lancaster; Flory Park, 416 Dohner Drive, Lancaster; Lafayette Tower Park, 1905 Woodland Ave., Lancaster; and Gibbons Park, 2557 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster. They can serve as venues for current and future activities and events for the township's nearly 18,000 residents.

"Our mission is to provide a comprehensive recreation program to the community," said Cleveland. "We want to take advantage of the resources and facilities we already have. We're trying to provide recreation to all groups and all ages in the community."

Cleveland has already instituted a yoga class, a meet-and-greet with Conestoga Valley Olympic archer Casey Kaufhold, a family movie night and a Hero Hangout with first responders. Currently under consideration are summer playground programs for kids; visits from speakers associated with various agricultural, environmental and conservation clubs; the formation of a social well-being club and a bike riding club; and arts programs in the parks.

"Recreation is extremely important to a healthy lifestyle," said Cleveland. "Everybody can do recreation. Everyone needs it. If you look at the Wellness Wheel and all the components of it - physical, social, environmental, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and financial - the more we can teach, the more (the activities) energize well-being. That's what we're aiming for: people becoming more well-rounded."

It's an undertaking that Cleveland is taking personally.

"I'm very passionate about it," said Cleveland. "I've been working in this area for my entire life. You want to provide opportunities for individuals who will benefit from them. That's where I find my energy: when you know you're helping people and making a difference."

"You've got to focus on things you can do gradually, so the community sees the opportunities," said Cleveland. "You can't do everything at once. You've got to focus on the things you can do well and build out from there. If you try something and it doesn't go well, then you move on to the next thing that will be well received."

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