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About Us

About Us

The Mount Penn Preserve Partnership Council of Governments (MP3 COG) was officially established on July 25, 2018 when all FIVE governments signed the documents.  A HUGE THANK YOU for all of the support from the community and local businesses as well as Alsace Township, Lower Alsace Township, Mount Penn Borough, the City of Reading, and Berks County for working together to make the Mount Penn Preserve a destination for all to enjoy!

WFMZ:  Officials create Mount Penn Preserve Council of Governments

Reading Eagle Newspaper:  Officials sign pact creating Mount Penn Preserve Partnership

On May 31, 2018, the Mount Penn Partnership celebrated two years as a group at the Stokesay Castle Ballroom.  The evening began with a few words from Executive Committee Co-Chairs Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt and Lee C. Olsen, AIA about the successes and challenges the group has faced the last two years. The five committee chairs gave their annual report to attendees and the evening ended with a discussion about the what the future holds for the Mount Penn Preserve.  To learn more about the evening's discussions as well as additional meeting minutes, please Click Here.

Two Year Anniversary Ballroom

On May 3, 2016, The Pagoda Foundation, in collaboration with the City of Reading and the County of Berks held an Open House and Forum at the Stokesay Castle Ballroom to seek community input, engagement and support to discuss the future of the Pagoda as well as other features on the mountain. This is affectionately being called, "Mount Penn Preserve". This is not a new idea as a study was done in the 1960's to explore a similar concept.

The forum, hosted by Pagoda Foundation President Lee Olsen, AIA and Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt, discussed the potential of the Mount Penn Preserve becoming a destination with its restaurants, trail, vistas, outdoor activities and events with the possibility of additional recreation venues. Discussions also included ways to raise funds for matching grants that may be available for the Mount Penn Preserve. Attendees also had the opportunity to share their support with the forum and discussed future community meetings to be held in support of the Mount Penn Preserve. To learn more about the results of the first meeting as well as additional meeting minutes, please Click Here.

Open Forum May 2016