Derry Township Community Center: Visitor Guide

Hershey, Pennsylvania · Derry Township Recreation

Plan Your Derry Township Community Center Visit

Derry Township Community Center is a public recreation complex at 605 Cocoa Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033. The center has indoor competition and leisure swimming pools, seasonal outdoor aquatic areas, a gymnasium, fitness facilities, group exercise classes, youth recreation, a teen center and spaces for private events.

Visitors can purchase daily admission or select resident, nonresident, senior, youth and family membership options. The center also accepts program registrations and rental requests through Township recreation services.

Address605 Cocoa AvenueHershey, PA 17033
Telephone717-533-7138Parks & Recreation
Weekday Hours5:30 AM–9 PMMonday–Friday
Adult Daily AdmissionFrom $10.50Township resident rate

Information reviewed October 19, 2026. Fee tables use the township’s 2026 schedule. Pool, class and event availability can change independently of building hours.

Derry Township Community Center Opening Hours

DayGeneral Facility Hours
Monday–Friday5:30 AM–9:00 PM
Saturday7:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sunday9:00 AM–7:00 PM

Parks & Recreation office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM.

Pool schedule matters: Facility opening hours do not mean every swimming pool or lap lane is open throughout the day. The township publishes separate competition-pool, leisure-pool and outdoor-pool schedules. Locker room availability is linked to pool opening and closing periods.

Check the latest township announcements before arriving during holidays, scheduled swim meets, pool maintenance, weather emergencies or special recreation events.

Current Hours, Pool & Gym Schedules

2026 Daily Admission & Membership Prices

Derry Township’s official 2026 fee schedule separates residents and nonresidents. Adults are classified as age 12 and older, youth as ages 2–11, and seniors as age 65 and older.

Daily Admission

VisitorResidentNonresident
Adult, age 12+$10.50$13.50
Youth, ages 2–11$8.50$10.50
Senior, age 65+$8.50$10.50

10-Visit Admission Pass

VisitorResidentNonresident
Adult$95$119
Youth$75$95
Senior$75$95

One-Month Membership

MembershipResidentNonresident
Adult$65$82
Youth$48$59
Senior$48$59
Family$106$133

Three-Month Membership

MembershipResidentNonresident
Adult$180$226
Youth$131$164
SeniorSee discrepancy belowSee discrepancy below
Family$295$369
Senior fee discrepancy: The 2026 township-wide PDF lists the three-month senior membership at $295 resident/$369 nonresident, which duplicates the family price. The center’s separate membership sheet lists $131/$164 instead. Ask Parks & Recreation which fee applies before purchasing.

Annual Membership

MembershipResidentNonresident
Adult$578$723
Youth$420$525
Senior$420$525
Family$945$1,182

Annual Contract With Monthly EFT Payments

MembershipResident / MonthNonresident / Month
Adult$52$63
Youth$39$48
Senior$39$48
Family$82$102
Family membership rule: A household family pass can include up to five immediate family members living at the same address, with no more than two adults age 18 or older. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult guardian age 18+ when using the facility.

The membership sheet describes an annual commitment for EFT payments, with a $50 cancellation charge if the annual EFT contract is canceled. Cancellation notice must be emailed to the township at least seven days before the next monthly payment. Credit cards are required for recurring payments under the published rules.

Payment processing: The 2026 municipal fee schedule states that credit-card payments are subject to a nonrefundable 3.75% processing fee, with a $2.50 minimum. Check how this charge is applied to your particular transaction.

Which Pass Should You Buy?

The best option depends on your residency, age, household size and number of visits.

Visiting PatternPractical Choice
One visit while in HersheyDaily admission
Several visits but no fixed monthly routine10-admission pass
Frequent visits during one monthOne-month membership
Regular exercise over three monthsThree-month membership
Year-round individual or family useAnnual membership
Year-round use with monthly paymentsAnnual EFT membership
Qualifying insurance fitness planAsk about SilverSneakers enrollment

Example: A Derry Township resident adult visiting once weekly for four weeks would pay $42 in daily fees. The $65 monthly membership only becomes financially attractive if additional visits or included activities make up the difference. Ten adult resident visits cost $95 with a 10-admission pass, compared with $105 for ten separate daily admissions.

How to Register for a Membership

Step 1 — Select the membership.

Choose daily, 10-visit, monthly, three-month, annual or annual EFT access.

Step 2 — Confirm resident eligibility.

If you live in Derry Township, contact the Parks & Recreation office to verify your street address in the registration system before purchasing a resident-priced membership.

Step 3 — Create or use your account.

Open the membership registration service linked from the official Parks & Recreation page.

Step 4 — Add household members.

For family membership, confirm that the group meets the same-household and adult-limit requirements.

Step 5 — Review terms and payment.

Check EFT commitments, cancellation conditions, card processing charges and any membership restrictions.

Step 6 — Save confirmation.

Keep your purchase confirmation and ask how to use your physical or mobile membership card.

For residency verification or membership support, email parkshelpdesk@derrytownship.org or call 717-533-7138.

Official Membership Registration

Swimming Pools, Fitness Center, Gym & Family Facilities

Indoor Competition Pool

A 25-yard competitive swimming pool with multiple lap lanes, starting blocks and diving facilities. Used for lap swimming, training and organized aquatic events.

Indoor Leisure Pool

Family-oriented swimming with shallow water entry, play features, swim lanes and a water slide. Specific attractions may operate only during scheduled recreation-swim periods.

Outdoor Pool & Sprayground

Seasonal outdoor swimming, water-play features and splash activities. The outdoor pool does not follow indoor operating hours year-round.

Fitness Center

Exercise equipment, cardiovascular workouts, strength training and fitness programming.

Gymnasium & Courts

Basketball, indoor recreation, scheduled court activities, group programs and rental opportunities.

Teen & Senior Spaces

Dedicated activity areas intended to support age-appropriate recreation and community engagement.

Group Exercise

Rotating fitness classes and aquatic exercise opportunities. Activities may require advance registration or specific member access.

Meeting & Event Rooms

Classrooms, party rooms, kitchen facilities and a multipurpose event room for approved private and community gatherings.

Facility history: The remodeled community center opened June 13, 2022. It replaced the long-used Cocoa Avenue Plaza recreation facility, which closed in 2018.

Indoor Pools, Swimming Lessons & Aquatic Programs

The two indoor aquatic areas serve different needs: structured lap swimming and aquatic training in the competition pool, and family-oriented water recreation in the leisure pool.

Competition Pool

  • 25-yard competition swimming configuration.
  • Multiple lap lanes for scheduled swimming.
  • Diving equipment used under facility rules and permitted programs.
  • Swimming lessons, practice groups and organized meets.
  • Shared use by community members and organized swim groups.

Indoor Leisure Pool

  • Gradual shallow-water entry.
  • Water-play features for younger swimmers.
  • Designated recreational swimming areas.
  • Water slide with facility-specific safety restrictions.
  • Group aquatics and lessons when scheduled.

Outdoor Aquatic Facilities

The outdoor pool and sprayground are seasonal. Outdoor attractions generally depend on weather, staffing, maintenance and scheduled programs.

Do not use building hours as swimming hours. The township publishes separate online schedules for the leisure, competition and outdoor pools. Lap lanes can be occupied by swim teams, lessons or aquatic programs while other areas remain open.

How to Plan a Swim Visit

  1. Decide between lap swimming, leisure swimming, lessons or the outdoor pool.
  2. Open the official Parks & Recreation page and choose the relevant pool schedule.
  3. Check whether your intended swim type is available on your preferred day.
  4. Confirm swimmer age requirements, supervision policies and slide restrictions.
  5. Choose a daily pass or membership based on residency and age.
  6. Bring appropriate swimwear, towels and any required personal items.
  7. Allow extra time for check-in and changing.

Swim Lessons & Aquatic Training

Derry Township promotes summer swim school, general swim-lesson registration, aquatic group exercise, therapeutic aquatic support and other instructional opportunities.

Lessons have different schedules and enrollment requirements. Some programs are designed for beginners, while others serve developing swimmers or adults seeking fitness and aquatic training.

Fitness Classes, Youth Activities & Recreation Registration

Recreation offerings change seasonally. Visitors may find group exercise, instructional aquatics, youth programs, sports activities and senior-focused recreation.

Group Exercise & Gym Use

The township maintains separate online schedules for group exercise and gym availability. A space may be unavailable to drop-in users during a reserved class or organized sports session.

Children & Families

Family memberships can simplify regular use of the pool and other eligible recreation amenities. Youth programs may require separate class registration, even when the participant has a membership.

The facility’s published membership FAQ states that childcare services are not provided. Parents should not assume staff will supervise children while an adult uses the fitness center.

Senior Recreation

The center includes senior-oriented programming and offers SilverSneakers memberships to individuals covered by participating insurance providers.

Check your health plan eligibility before purchasing an individual membership. A listed insurance program does not mean every older adult automatically qualifies.

How to Register for Recreation Programs

1. Find the program.

Use the Parks & Recreation page’s Program Registration link and search for the desired activity.

2. Check the program details.

Confirm location, eligible ages, class dates, times, fee and participation requirements.

3. Sign in or create an account.

Use the official township registration portal linked by Parks & Recreation.

4. Select the participant.

Choose the correct household member, review any waiver and check residency-based pricing.

5. Complete enrollment.

Pay any applicable fee and save the confirmation and program instructions.

Official Program Registration Links

2026 Community Center Room & Party Rental Rates

The township rents classrooms, event rooms, gym courts, party spaces and certain aquatic facilities. The table below uses the official 2026 municipal rates.

Rental SpaceResidentNonresident
Pool Lane, per lane/hour$16$20
Kitchen, per hour$50$65
Classroom / Flexroom, per hour$50$65
Party Room, per hour$50$65
Gymnasium, per court/hour$55$70
Event Room, one section/hour$80$100
Entire Event Room, four hours$1,000$1,200

Birthday Party Packages

Party PackageResidentNonresident
Gym Party$150$190
Swim Party$240$300
Swim & Gym Party$300$375

Party guest limit: The Township’s 2026 fee schedule specifies a maximum of 20 guests for the listed birthday-party packages.

A nonrefundable deposit is required when scheduling community center rentals. Confirm the amount, balance due, staffing, event setup and cancellation policies during the booking process.

Recent source: The Township’s September 2026 rental-fee sheet independently confirms classroom fees of $50/$65 per hour, event-room section fees of $80/$100 per hour, and the three birthday-party package prices shown above.

Example Rental Budgets

Resident Classroom $100 for 2 Hours

Two hours at the $50 resident hourly rate, before any required deposit or extra services.

Nonresident Event Room $300 for 3 Hours

One event-room section for three hours at $100 per hour, before any additional charges.

How to Book a Room, Pool Party or Community Event

Step 1 — Choose the event type.

Select a birthday party, private swimming event, gym gathering, classroom meeting or multipurpose event-room rental.

Step 2 — Estimate your attendance.

Check the participant count. Standard gym, swim and combined birthday-party packages are listed for a maximum of 20 guests.

Step 3 — Prepare possible dates.

Choose at least two dates and include setup, event and cleanup time in your request.

Step 4 — Submit an official rental request.

Visit the Township’s Parks & Recreation page and select Facility Rental Requests. The Township links to its official recreation reservation portal.

Step 5 — Confirm requirements.

Discuss residency, food service, insurance, entertainment, alcohol, guest limits, staffing and available furniture before committing to vendors.

Step 6 — Finalize approved payments.

Complete the required rental documents and deposit or payment through the official Township process.

Special Event-Room Requirements

The township’s event/classroom request PDF asks that applications be submitted at least two weeks in advance. For certain food-service or alcohol events, additional requirements apply:

  • Food service must come from an approved certified caterer with required liability coverage.
  • Approved alcohol service must use a preapproved, RAMP-certified Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board vendor with required insurance documentation.
  • Entertainment or music vendors may need liability insurance naming the Township of Derry as an additional insured.
  • Table linens, plates, flatware and glasses are not provided.
  • Decorations may not be attached to building surfaces.
  • Glitter, indoor bubbles, fireworks and sparklers are prohibited.
  • Only battery-operated candles are permitted.
  • The community center is smoke-free.
Do not assume alcohol is generally permitted. The event request document describes tightly controlled, preapproved alcohol arrangements for qualifying events, not open permission to bring alcoholic beverages.
Event Request & Facility Rules PDF

Cocoa Castle Playground & Nearby Family Recreation

Cocoa Castle Playground is located in front of the Derry Township Community Center on Cocoa Avenue. It offers a separate outdoor play option for families who want to combine indoor recreation with a playground visit.

The township’s public parks information identifies Cocoa Castle at the same 605 Cocoa Avenue campus and lists it among Derry Township’s public recreation amenities.

Visiting with children: Indoor pool access, outdoor playground use and seasonal aquatic facilities have different supervision and availability requirements. Plan your family visit around the activity with the most restrictive hours.
Derry Township Parks & Cocoa Castle

Location, Parking & Driving Directions

Derry Township Community Center
605 Cocoa Avenue
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033
717-533-7138

From Harrisburg

Travel east toward Hershey using the appropriate US 322/422 connection. Follow West Governor Road toward Cocoa Avenue, then turn onto Cocoa Avenue and continue toward the recreation-center campus.

From Lebanon

Approach Hershey from the east along Route 322/Governor Road, then turn onto Cocoa Avenue near the Hershey school area.

Parking

The Hershey Aquatic Club’s facility directions describe a main parking area behind the recreation center. During large swim meets or community events, designated overflow parking may be used at nearby approved lots, subject to event instructions.

Use live navigation for exact turns, temporary closures and parking restrictions. Do not assume an overflow lot is available for every ordinary visit.

First-Visit Checklist

Your VisitWhat to Check
Family swimmingLeisure pool schedule, supervision rules, current admission and water-slide operation.
Lap swimmingCompetition pool lane schedule, organized practices and available lanes.
Summer water playOutdoor pool dates, sprayground hours and weather restrictions.
Fitness workoutFitness center access, age rules and membership eligibility.
Group exerciseClass schedule, member inclusion and registration requirements.
Gym recreationOpen gym schedule and any court reservations.
Birthday partyPackage type, 20-guest limit, deposit and available date.
Event roomSpace required, rental duration, insurance, catering and final quote.
Senior programsCurrent programming and possible SilverSneakers eligibility.

Other Community Recreation Guides

For additional help comparing public recreation facilities, admission structures, swimming options and community-event planning, see these resources:

These are general website resources rather than nearby recreation-center alternatives. They provide guidance on comparing fees and verifying official actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is Derry Township Community Center located?

Derry Township Community Center is located at 605 Cocoa Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033. The Parks & Recreation phone number is 717-533-7138.

2. What are Derry Township Community Center’s hours?

The building is open Monday–Friday from 5:30 AM to 9 PM, Saturday from 7 AM to 7 PM, and Sunday from 9 AM to 7 PM. Individual pool and gym schedules may be different.

3. How much is daily admission at Derry Township Community Center?

In the 2026 fee schedule, resident daily admission is $10.50 for adults age 12+, and $8.50 for youth ages 2–11 or seniors age 65+. Nonresident daily prices are $13.50 for adults and $10.50 for youth or seniors.

4. Does Derry Township Community Center have indoor swimming pools?

Yes. The center includes an indoor competition pool and an indoor leisure pool, plus seasonal outdoor aquatic facilities. Separate schedules determine when each area is available.

5. How much is a monthly membership?

The published 2026 one-month resident prices are $65 for an adult, $48 for youth or seniors, and $106 for a family. Nonresident rates are $82 for an adult, $59 for youth or seniors, and $133 for a family.

6. Is there a family membership?

Yes. Family memberships are available for eligible immediate family members living in the same household, with a limit of five people and no more than two adults. The 2026 resident annual family membership is $945, and the nonresident price is $1,182.

7. Does the community center offer swimming lessons?

Yes. Derry Township provides swim-lesson registration, summer swim school and other aquatic programs. Visit the official Parks & Recreation page for the correct seasonal program and enrollment dates.

8. Can I rent a party room or gymnasium?

Yes. The Township rents classrooms, party rooms, gym courts and event rooms. Its 2026 fee schedule lists resident party rooms at $50 per hour and gym courts at $55 per hour; nonresident prices are $65 and $70, respectively.

9. How much is a birthday party package?

Published 2026 resident prices are $150 for a gym party, $240 for a swim party, and $300 for a combined swim-and-gym party. Nonresident prices are $190, $300 and $375, respectively. The listed packages have a 20-guest maximum.

10. How do I register for programs or rent a room?

Use the Township’s official Parks & Recreation page to access membership, program registration and facility rental requests. For assistance, call 717-533-7138 or email parkshelpdesk@derrytownship.org.

Official Derry Township Resources

Before you go: Call 717-533-7138 for a time-sensitive pool, gym or rental visit. For memberships, confirm residency verification and final payment charges. Use official Township registration or rental services to complete transactions.

Independent visitor guide. Not an official Township of Derry publication. Fees and facility details reviewed October 19, 2026; schedules and program availability can change.