Hoy Park Memories

A while ago, while walking on the Perkiomen Trail, I saw a park on the other side of the Perkiomen Creek. Now, being that there are a lot of creeks in the area, and the earliest roads were formed back before the American Revolutionary War, it is often difficult to find your way from "here" to "there" because bridges are where they put them, and not where you want them.

With the power of Google Maps, I was able find my way to the little park I saw.


Fittingly, as it turned out, the park was located just off Hoy Circle.


Hoy Park - dedicated August 28, 2003 - Harry and Alice Hoy and all their children donate this park to the families of Lower Providence Township for the enjoyment of outdoor activities and quality family time, as well as the preservation of waterways and open space... Many memories have been shared here, enjoy creating your own.


You can see the stone with the brass plaque on the right - the sign board listed hundreds of bird and fish species to be seen within the park. A small boat ramp is to the left, entering the Skippack Creek while ahead, a short walk down a path, lies a dock on the Perkiomen Creek.


The Skippack (on the left) flows into the Perkiomen Creek (on right) as this point.


Memories indeed... I wondered how many Hoy family reunions saw hot dogs and burgers grilled on this stone fireplace, now mostly hidden in the lush growth.


The park has several small paths that run through the woods along the side of the creek. In these woods, I found towering ferns and felt as if I had stumbled into a rain forest.


Needing a short break, I sat on one of the many park benches... and saw, this bench was labeled, Donated By the Francis J. Hoy Family - In Memory Of Carrie K. Coulston - "Grandmom". Once rested, I got up and looked at all the other park benches...


Donated By the Francis J. Hoy Family - In Memory Of Francis J. Hoy - "Bud".

It turned out that all of the park benches were donated by the Francis J. Hoy Family in memory of family members.

I came away from that little park that day, somewhat staggered by the love, adoration, and closeness that this family seemed to have - and their generosity in giving a place with so many of their cherished, precious "memories" to their neighbors.

I wanted to share the beauty of the site with you - I promised myself to investigate the family of Harry and Alice Hoy - and find out who they were and what their story was... I suspect it will be a "worthy" journey.

Addendum:

Harry Francis HOY was born on 24 Sep 1894 in Philadelphia, PA, died on 8 May 1984 in Phoenixville, PA at age 89, and was buried in May 1984 in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Norristown, PA.

Harry married Mary Alice LEFORT, daughter of Joseph LEFORT and Julia RODDEN, on 24 Oct 1923 in St. Francis Church, Norristown, PA. Mary was born on 21 Aug 1896 in Annapolis, MD and died on 18 Oct 1975 in Norristown, PA at age 79.

Their branch of the Hoy family came from Ireland. Harry Hoy's great-great grandfather, Bernard HOY was born before 1790 in Antrim, Ireland and died in Antrim, Ireland.

Bernard HOY, Jr. was born in May 1803 in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland/Dundalk, Ireland, died on 28 Nov 1858 in Valley Forge, Chester Co., PA at age 55, and was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA.