In 2013, Berks Nature entered into a unique lease agreement with the City of Reading. In this partnership, we agreed to share management responsibility for the 100-acre Angelica Creek Park with the City and Alvernia University. With this lease in place, Berks Nature opened The Nature Place: a LEED Gold certified nature center for Reading and a headquarters for Berks Nature.

Today, Angelica Creek Park is not just a popular respite for people seeking nature’s relief, it is a haven for a diversity of native wildlife and The Nature Place campus has become a living demonstration of coexistence, sustainable living, and the value of nature.

The City of Reading is fortunate to be surrounded by several natural treasures including: Neversink Mountain, Mount Penn, and the Schuylkill River. Hikes on Neversink Mountain provide breathtaking vistas for enjoyment by all Berks County residents and visitors, most popular are the City Overlook and the Witches Hat (McIlvain Pavilion).

This 30+ acre Berks Nature-owned property is the result of a generous land donation in the late 1970s. The site is managed for wildlife and includes a barn, trails, wooded areas, a stream, picnic areas, and is a popular birding site.

The 31-acre Ontelaunee Wetlands Preserve is bordered by the Schuylkill River in the west and is the former site of the once bustling Schuylkill Navigation system (often known as the Schuylkill Canal).  Explore and enjoy watching the restored forests and meadows take root!

Encompassing nearly 200 acres, the wildlife habitat and water resources sheltered by this special property were protected in perpetuity by the preserve’s namesake: Ephraim Malickson. Not only does the Sanctuary provide critical habitat for native plants and animals, it also shelters much of the headwater streams and springs of the Indian Corn Creek.

The Gravity Trail connects the Neversink Mountain Preserve to the county-owned Antietam Lake Park. Traveling through City of Reading owned Pendora Park, Mineral Spring Park and Egelman’s Park, there are many opportunities to picnic and rest in the public parks and pavilions. This linear trail can be hiked in one direction if you shuttle cars or you can pick a section to create an out-and-back hike.

Angelica Creek Trail connects to Kenhorst Borough, Angelica Creek Park, and the Schuylkill River Trail. Users can walk, bike, and enjoy the wonderful 1 mile pathway to the city-owned 90-acre Angelica Creek Park, educational wetlands and future Environmental Exploration Center. Be on the look out for wildlife along the trail.