Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA)

A Special-Purpose Government

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Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA)


Mission Statement

"To grow our community with wholesome, safe, and sustainable parks and recreation programs."


The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority has been established to organize year round programs and services to help sustain better health and wellness.

WHAT WE BELIEVE…

  • More citizens will benefit from a coordinated community parks and recreation delivery system.
  • That a mechanism to adequately maintain community park facilities and recreation programs adds value over time.
  • That mobilizing resources will prevent the duplication of services and ultimately save money.
  • That overall health can be improved (reducing obesity and preventing chronic conditions that lead to coronary disease, high blood pressure and diabetes) -- simply by providing more opportunities for leisure pursuits.  

On August 15, 2013, GARA was chartered under the PA Municipal Authority Act. In partnership with the Borough of Gettysburg and Cumberland Township, GARA is an independent government organization that operates recreation programs and maintains park services in Adams County.

In order to provide the community with the most cost effective services, GARA has been set-up as a seperate entity - "free from control by local government." In this way, GARA pledges to enrich the quality of community life by:

  • Coordinating organizational efficiency/effectiveness
  • Designing "out of the box" recreational programs, and
  • Delivering "world-class" community park services.