Local officials have been on a three-year search to find a location for Leg Up Farm (LUF) to locate in Franklin County. The search is now over as Penn National will become the home for Leg Up Farm’s 2nd therapy center.

LUF is a non-profit therapy center for children with special needs from birth to age 21.  It is the only facility in the nation to offer physical, occupational, aquatic and speech therapy, therapeutic horseback riding, counseling, nutritional services and educational programing under one roof.  The original LUF is located in Mt. Wolf, PA in York County.

White Rock, Inc. developers of Penn National Golf Course Community will contribute a 15-acre site along Mont Alto Road north and west of the new Homestead neighborhood. The facility will feature a barn-like architectural style and include classrooms and therapy rooms, a 10,000 sq. ft. indoor riding center and outdoor areas for pasturing the horses, native gardens, a therapeutic Koi pond, playground, and walking trails.

Many area businesses have also given generously to the project by donating time, talent and services to LUF.  Donors include: Brechbill & Helman Construction Co. (key to spearheading this important project), Fox and Associates, Triad Engineering, Core Design Group, United Enterprise, Paragon Engineering Services, Dennis E. Black Engineering, Live Sound Co.

The addition of Leg Up Farm in Franklin County will employ a total of 70 people during the construction phase and 50 (excluding the school component) once LUF is up and operational.  Another facet LUF anticipates coming to Franklin County is Able-Services. Able-Services continues the mission of LUF by offering day programs for special needs adults over the age of 21.

We also anticipate that Leg Up Farmers Market (“LUFM”), a full-service, natural foods grocery store that supports the Leg Up Farm will eventually be located in Penn National’s proposed Town Center.  LUFM features a coffee/juice bar, delicious brick oven pizza, fresh made soups & sandwiches and a variety of prepared items, a bakery and an in-house butcher.  LUFM focuses on natural and organic wherever possible: no added colors, chemicals, additives, hormones, or other artificial ingredients and locally sourced.

For further information, contact Louis J. Castriota, Jr. of Leg Up Farm ljcastriota@legupfarm.org or Patti Peck of Penn National Golf Course Community ppeck@pennhomes.com.