Route 168 and Kendall Road Raccoon Creek State Park
Thirty volunteers joined together to remove trash, tires, and other debris from two locations in Raccoon Creek State Park, Beaver County, on November 17, 2001.
The volunteers included members of the Independence Marsh Foundation, Raccoon Creek Watershed Association, Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park, South Side Community Association, and Friendship Riders. Some of the volunteers traveled from Pittsburgh for the beautification efforts on Route 168 and Kendall Road.
Their day's work entailed the removal of 273 automobile tires, 40 truck tires, and 4.36 tons of trash which included deer carcasses, asphalt, concrete, tar, car parts, furniture, office machines, household waste, and half of a large steel tank.
Patrons included the Beaver County Department of Waste Management, Moran Excavating, PennDOT, Lyons Hardwoods, and Raccoon Creek State Park.
The two sites, located along a main highway, had served as trash magnets for decades. Following the volunteer cleanup, Moran Excavating of Aliquippa worked on the sites in January and February, 2002, constructed earthen berms to block access and removing remaining materials. The larger site on Route 168 was reconstructed to provide a parking area and trailhead for a local equestrian club and others who enjoy hiking the area.
All disturbed areas were seeded with native warm season grasses to promote wildlife habitat. The parking area was resurfaced with limestone and finished to provide a 100-by-160 foot lot for vehicles and horse trailers. The Friendship Riders have adopted the areas to monitor them for any future dumping or other illegal activities. Gates will be installed to limit access to the parking area.
Raccoon Creek State Park is one of the largest and most beautiful in the Commonwealth. The 7,323-acre park features the beautiful 101-acre Raccoon Creek Lake, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation like fishing, boating, and photographing and viewing waterfowl and other wildlife. The Raccoon Creek Wildflower Preserve is a botanical wonderland.
The volunteers included members of the Independence Marsh Foundation, Raccoon Creek Watershed Association, Friends of Raccoon Creek State Park, South Side Community Association, and Friendship Riders. Some of the volunteers traveled from Pittsburgh for the beautification efforts on Route 168 and Kendall Road.
Their day's work entailed the removal of 273 automobile tires, 40 truck tires, and 4.36 tons of trash which included deer carcasses, asphalt, concrete, tar, car parts, furniture, office machines, household waste, and half of a large steel tank.
The two sites, located along a main highway, had served as trash magnets for decades. Following the volunteer cleanup, Moran Excavating of Aliquippa worked on the sites in January and February, 2002, constructed earthen berms to block access and removing remaining materials. The larger site on Route 168 was reconstructed to provide a parking area and trailhead for a local equestrian club and others who enjoy hiking the area.
All disturbed areas were seeded with native warm season grasses to promote wildlife habitat. The parking area was resurfaced with limestone and finished to provide a 100-by-160 foot lot for vehicles and horse trailers. The Friendship Riders have adopted the areas to monitor them for any future dumping or other illegal activities. Gates will be installed to limit access to the parking area.
