East Goshen Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania

History

The ten square miles of land that is now the township of East Goshen was part of a larger tract purchased from William Penn in Wales in September 1681. Settlers, finding the land beautiful and productive, named the area Goshenville, or "the Land of Goshen."
The blacksmith shop located on North Chester Road was built in 1699. It was here in the early years that wagon wheels were rerimmed, farm implements repaired, and horses shod. As part of East Goshen's tricentennial in 1982, the blacksmith shop was renovated and restored.
East Goshen Township was incorporated in 1817 when Goshen was divided, forming East and West Goshen townships.
The Goshenville Historic District, Goodwin Acres, and Ellis Williams House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Resources

East Goshen Township owns a 55-acre (220,000 m²) park located on Paoli Pike. Facilities at the park include the Hicks Pavilion with a brick barbecue.
There are areas in the park for sports such as baseball, softball, and soccer fields, four sand volleyball courts, six tennis courts with wind screens and hitting backboard, two full-size basketball courts with additional baskets for shooting around, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) equipped fitness trail, a children's activity area, a putting green, and a gazebo.
The park has many passive areas for sunbathing, reading, frisbee throwing, etc. The park is also a popular place for walkers and joggers. It has restroom facilities and water fountains. Parking space has been enhanced and all facilities are planned and installed with the idea of maintaining a harmony with nature. The park closes at dusk and drinking alcohol is prohibited.
The park was named "The Best Family Park" by Best of the Main Line, a magazine that rates the best places and food in the Philadelphia Main Line area.
As of 2016, The Board of Supervisors approved application to the Chesco Municipal Grant Program for a Paoli Pike Trail. The 2.7-mile trail would connect East High School with the “Town Center” between Boot Road and North Chester Road and then the entire network of trails in the Township Park and Applebrook Park. This trail is envisioned as part of a much larger 750-mile trail network that would connect most of suburban Philadelphia. About 300 miles of this trail network—including the Chester Valley Trail—have already been constructed.

Government

The Township is governed by a 5-person Board of Supervisors. Supervisors are elected to 6-year terms. The Board of Supervisors appoints the Township Manager, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Township. In addition, various volunteer advisory authorities, boards and commissions (ABCs), such as the Park & Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, the Commerce Commission, the Historical Commission and the Conservancy Board, provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

Schools

East Goshen is home to East Goshen Elementary School (located in the West Chester Area School District).
Elementary schools serving sections of East Goshen township include East Goshen, Exton, Fern Hill, Glen Wood, and Penn Acres. Almost all areas of East Goshen township are zoned to J.R. Fugett Middle School and West Chester East High School, while a small portion is zoned to G.A. Stetson Middle School and Rustin High School.
East Goshen township is also home to Goshen Friends School, and the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School.