Volunteers dig in to start new trail in North Park
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Volunteers start work to create the Dragonfly Interpretive Trail in North Park. Volunteer Mary Bates of McCandless spreads wetland seeds near the North Fork tributary of Pine Creek.
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Volunteers broke ground Saturday for the Dragonfly Interpretive Trail at North Park, which also will be built mainly by volunteer power.
After naturalist Meg Scanlon instructed Brian Shields, 15, of Hampton and Matt Stull, 12, of Marshall on how to start work on the trail, the two youngsters dug right in.
Ms. Scanlon will oversee the project, which is to be funded by a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to replace wetlands that were destroyed during recent work on the toll road between mile markers 30 and 38.
"We were lucky in that the land being replaced is so close to the actual site of the work on the turnpike," Ms. Scanlon said. The distance is two to three miles, she said.
The project will entail a new trail through the wetland site at the western end of the park by the skating rink. She said it will be handicapped accessible for about 1,500 feet and include about 400 feet of raised boardwalk made from weatherproof material designed for use in wetlands.
The trail will be accessible from the skating rink parking area or by parking at the North Dakota Pavilion on Pearce Mill Road.
"The area has been renamed Wahdo Gwas Wetland, which means 'rising from the water' in Seneca language," Ms. Scanlon said. Because Seneca Indians once lived in the North Park area, Ms. Scanlon said they wanted a name that honored them.
In addition to Brian and Matt, about a dozen other volunteers gave up their Saturday to help prepare the shelter and picnic tables to be painted, plant wild flower seeds and clear the land.
Brian frequently runs in the park with his cross-county team so when he read the notice about the need for volunteers, he decided to stay after practice and lend a helping hand.
"I'm here running all of the time and just wanted to help out," he said.
Tom and Mary Bates live in McCandless and frequently use the park.
First Published October 21, 2010 6:25 am
