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Park Office Phone: 610-383-3812
Located 4 miles north of Coatesville off Route 82
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Over 900 acres of trails, woodlands, meadows, open fields, play areas, pavilions, camping & picnic areas are strewn throughout. Popular fishing sites include the Brandywine Creek’s west branch, Birch Run & a children’s pond. Small boating & fishing occur on the 90 –acre Chambers Lake. Hibernia Mansion is open for public tours on Sunday afternoons, Memorial Day - Labor Day. Park walking tours explore the legacy of the iron masters and country gentlemen who owned the estate.
Hibernia Mansion is a restored 19th century mansion. The mansion, as you see it today, reflects the changes of lifestyle and social status of its various owners for over two hundred years. Long the home of Ironmasters, it expanded with their increased prosperity. When strolling along the quiet paths through the 990-acre Hibernia County Park, or fishing on the shady banks of the Brandywine Creek, it is hard to imagine that here was once the site of a bustling iron industry, gone for over one hundred years.
At the turn of the century, Hibernia became the country estate of a wealthy Philadelphia lawyer and underwent extensive renovations according to his personal taste. Vacant for 15 years, it fell into disrepair. Now owned and operated by the Chester County Parks and Recreation Department, Hibernia Mansion has been restored to its former glory to preserve our past heritage and for future generations to enjoy.
Hibernia is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places. It is also part of the Hatfield-Hibernia National Register Historic District.
Fishing and Boating
Hibernia County Park is well-known for the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek, commonly called "The Brandywine," which flows for one mile through the park. The Brandywine averages 20-30 feet in width and 18-36 inches in depth. It moves quickly around many rocks and fallen trees, offering excellent angling possibilities. Predominantly, it is a coldwater fishery that is very popular with local anglers.
At the opening of the season, Hibernia also has a 3/4-acre pond with Bluegills, Largemouth Bass and stocked Trout. The pond is limited to children and disabled individuals for the first few weeks of trout season, and opens for the general public after Memorial Day.
The West Caln Sportsmen's Club, in cooperation with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and the Chester County Parks and Recreation Department, operates a cooperative fish nursery in Hibernia that annually stocks the stream with Brown, Brook and Rainbow Trout. A few additional surprises may include Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass and Sunfish. The Sportsmen's Club also holds an annual Handicap Fishing Rodeo. The event, which began in 1987, always takes place on the second Wednesday in May, and is open to disabled individuals and groups of all ages. Club volunteers assist attendees by baiting hooks, casting, retrieving, netting, or in helping them to and from their spots and vehicles.
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Brandywine Creek |
Brandywine Creek |
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Chambers Lake from Birdell Road |
Chambers Lake from Dam |
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Chambers Lake from Dam |
Public Boat Launch |
The 90-acre Chambers Lake is stocked with warm water species, including Panfish, Channel Catfish, Chain Pickerel, and Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass. Chambers is one of only three Pennsylvania lakes that is a Panfish Enhancement Area, and one of a select number in the Big Bass Program. Fishing is permitted 24 hours a day. There is a public parking lot and boat ramp off Wagontown Road. After park hours, parking is permitted for fishing only. No sailboats are allowed; only non-motorized or electric powered boats are permitted on Chambers Lake. All watercraft must be registered with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Boating for the purpose of fishing is also permitted after park hours.
A public fishing pier is open on the north side of the lake and may be accessed from the Lake Trail. Other shoreline fishing is permitted, but is prohibited from the dambreast itself.
Playgrounds
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Pavilion #1 Playground (Ages 5 to 12)
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New playground equipment was installed and opened for Memorial Day weekend 2002. The new play equipment replaces apparatus installed in the late 1980’s. All play structures and equipment meet the national guidelines for safety and performance specifications as established by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), respectively. All play areas are accessible to those with disabilities per ADA standards.
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{Office Playground} |
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Playground at Pavilion Field (All Ages) |
Park Office Playground - Ages 5 to 12 |
Pavilions
Effective January 1, 2002, the County and its regional offices will accept reservations for pavilions up to thirteen (13) months in advance. For example, a reservation for a facility on May 1, 2006, may be made as early April 1, 2005.
Reservation information and a fee schedule may be obtained at park sites
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Hibernia Pavilion #1
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Hibernia Pavilion #2
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Hibernia Pavilion #6 |
Family camping is available on weekends, May through October
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Lake Campground |
Fiddler's Campground |
Other Park Features
Content Last Modified on 12/22/2009 11:38:02 AM
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