History
The Fawn Grove Borough has formally adopted “Morris Park” as the official name of the park located at 92 N. Market Street in Fawn Grove PA. This area has had many different names over the years as it was home to various activities throughout its long history of providing fun and fellowship for the community.
The park has a long and distinguished history. On March 1, 1927, a group of representatives from Fawn Grove and surrounding areas met in the Morris Park Hall to organize an association to be known as the Fawn Grove Improvement Association. Their purpose was to host an annual agricultural fair in the town. The park was located at the terminus of the Stewartstown Railroad and contained a large pavilion with a seating capacity of 1000 as well as exhibition buildings and refreshment stands. The park belonged to B.F. (Benjamin Franklin) Morris who rented the grounds to the Association until his death in 1938 when it was bought by the Association for $2800. B.F Morris was instrumental in the success of the fair. He built many of the buildings and maintained the grounds as well as overseeing all the work done at the site. The merry-go-round and other midway rides were owned and operated by B.F. Morris and were boarded up when not in use. The Fawn Grove Fair was quite famous throughout the area. A Stewartstown Railroad car ran from New Freedom to Fawn Grove bringing passengers to the fair. Traditional agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, cooking contests, musical performances, midway rides, as well as vendor spaces for furniture, pianos, and automobiles and other area business offerings were on display for fairgoers. The fair closed in 1941 due to economic circumstances but the park has remained a vital part of our town.
Over the years the park has been the site of countless sporting events, home to numerous ball teams and other athletic activities for all ages. The original hall hosted numerous dances, Halloween parties, Grange meetings, scouts, auctions and family gatherings just to name a few. The park has been home to sporting events, tractor pulls, tuff trucks competitions, Haunted Trails, Olde Tyme days, Fawn Grove Community Engagement Events, family gatherings and other activities. A highlight of the building’s events was the Fawn Grove Centennial Ball held in 1981. Sadly in1985, the hall fell victim to arson and burned down. The building replacement was spearheaded by the Fawn Area Rec Commission and supported by the Fawn Grove Improvement Association, Fawn Grove Borough, Fawn Township, and many businesses and individuals in the community. York County Area Vo Tech School masonry students provided the brick work on the exterior. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held with the Fawn Grove Improvement Association Directors participating. The Citizens Volunteer Fire Company held their first annual Fawn Grove Olde Tyme Days event in 1990 which continues to hold this event annually in June. The Fawn Grove Veterans of Foreign Wars building is now under the Borough’s care. Anyone interested in renting these facilities may contact the Fawn Grove Borough office. It is our hope that the park continues to provide enjoyment for many generations to come.
Hours
The park is available to the public from dawn to dusk
Park Rental
The park is available for renting. To rent the park for an event:
