A word from

Wildwood

Summer 2013

The Friends of Wildwood, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110

The morning of Thursday, May 9th started out as a typical day at Wildwood Park with birds singing, visitors walking and taking wildlife photographs, and 40 kindergartners scheduled to attend a guided environmental education program at the Olewine Nature Center. The same morning many of us heard about the fuel truck accident on I-81 catching fire and closing the highway. As a result, some of us experienced long lines of traffic as the national transportation artery was shut down. The day unfolded into Wildwood Park’s largest pollution spill in its 100+ year history and marked a new chapter for environmental education on the site and for the importance of wetlands.

At the nature center, everything was ordinary until 9 a.m. when park maintenance personnel noticed a blanket of black fuel product floating downstream on Paxton Creek behind the nature center. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) emergency spill hotline (1-877-333-1904) was immediately notified. DEP responded quickly and were on site within minutes along with the Dauphin County Emergency Management Agency’s hazardous materials crew. Wildwood staff directed HazMat teams to impacted areas of the park as they laid preliminary containment booms.

The creek’s surface turned black with diesel as more fuel flowed downstream and entered into the park and wetlands. DEP said fuel from the accident was washed into a storm drain during the firefighting efforts. The fuel spill then entered Paxton Creek upstream from Wildwood Park and flowed downstream into the park and wetlands. Now the commonly used wetland environmental education phrase “we all live downstream” had more meaning than ever.

Continued on page 2

Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC

Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC

Fuel Spill Impacts Wildwood Park

A word from Wildwoodis published quarterly by

The Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292

www.wildwoodlake.orgEmail: friendsofww@wildwoodlake.org

Board OfficersShawn Scott-PresidentValerie Simmons-Vice PresidentCarolyn Blatchley-SecretaryWendy McClintock-Treasurer

Board MembersMary Laverty BigelowJim CaufieldCarl DicksonPaddy GarciaTom KeckCarol LopusEmily Matlin, D.O.Bob OrrisChris RebertTeresa SchmittbergerKathy SilksLou StarzlOlivia SusskindEugene Wingert

2

Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III NatureCenter are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wildwood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Programs can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and questions can be directed to wwstaff@dauphinc.org.

County CommissionersJeff Haste, ChairmanMike PriesGeorge P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation DirectorCarl Dickson

Wildwood Park StaffChris Rebert, Park ManagerSandy Lockerman, Environmental EducatorSandy Nevius, Part-time Environmental EducatorDeb Rowe, Administrative AssistantKristie Smith, Part-time Environmental EducatorJane Webster, Environmental Educator

Park HighlightsThe ignited tanker was from a small Carlisle company. That morning, the truck’s insurance company contracted Environmental Products and Services (EPS) as the lead for the fuel spill cleanup in Wildwood Park. EPS arrived the same morning with a fleet of trucks, workers, and advanced clean up equipment and supplies. Teams laid white absorbent booms to contain and absorb fuel. They also used yellow harbor booms to contain it. Various skimmer trucks were strategically positioned to vacuum the floating diesel fuel off the water’s surface.

Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center are part of the Dauphin County Parks and Rec-reation Department. The Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Mondays and holidays. Wild-wood Park’s trails are open from dawn until dusk. Pro-grams can be viewed at www.dauphinc.org and ques-tions can be directed to wwstaff@dauphinc.org.

County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Chairman Mike Pries George P. Hartwick III

Parks and Recreation Director Carl Dickson

Wildwood Park Staff Chris Rebert, Park Manager Sandy Lockerman, Environmental Educator Sandy Nevius, Part-time Environmental Educator Deb Rowe, Administrative Assistant Kristie Smith, Part-time Environmental Educator Jane Webster, Environmental Educator 

Other agencies quickly joined the cleanup. The PA Game Commission (PGC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services (USDA) spearheaded wildlife rescue. Field officers paddled the lake and walked creek channel edges and recovered about a dozen fuel-coated ducklings and goslings. Despite transporting affected waterfowl to Tri-State Bird Rescue in Delaware for professional cleaning, none survived. Other recovered deceased wildlife included a red-winged blackbird, one adult Canada goose and three fish. The USDA set up a propane-powered air cannon that created intermittent blasts of sound to deter wildlife from entering the contaminated portion of the wetland. PA Fish and Boat Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were also involved.

Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC

3

Wildwood Park was closed May 9 through May 20 as hazardous materials crews continued cleanup. May is traditionally the busiest month for Wildwood. A number of park activities and programs were canceled or postponed. Fortunately, some of the scheduled

environmental education school field study trips were transferred to Dauphin County’s Fort Hunter Park including 225 seventh graders from Central Dauphin.

Looking back on the event, the wetlands of Wildwood Park achieved one of its jobs - absorbing the impacts of major highways and development by storing storm water. The wetlands caught and slowed the fuel and none reached the Susquehanna River. Fortunately, the cleanup was successful and it appears things are returning to normal. Built for the flood protection of Harrisburg in the early 20th century, it is reassuring to know that the wetlands continue to function by diverting Paxton Creek water to the Susquehanna River, and providing important functions for the community including recharging groundwater supplies, and providing wildlife habitat and public recreational and educational opportunities.

After accumulating a high stack of business cards from agencies helping with the cleanup, six interviews with the local television crews, and tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by the trucker’s insurer, the cleanup effort went very well. Monitoring by professional naturalists on staff as well as contributions from state agency experts will help determine short and long term impacts to wildlife and habitat. Booms will be maintained and remain in place throughout the park for a minimum of four weeks.

Wildwood staff encourages you to see for yourself and make your own assessments. Pick up a wildlife survey form at the nature center front desk, take a stroll and help keep record of wildlife at Wildwood. You may observe snapping turtles laying eggs, or perhaps watch the state endangered Great Egret feed in the shallow wetland, or help document the number of mallard ducklings on your walk – it is all helpful and part of the dynamic 230 acre popular park surrounded by where we live.

Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC

Photo by Joe Kosack, PGC

New Park Projects CompletedYou may have noticed new orientation signs, lab access, remodeled entrance pavers, and last but not least, a completely resurfaced Towpath Trail. The new digital fiberglass embedded panels will help visitors orient themselves, find trails throughout the 229 acres, and locate various habitats and park amenities. The lab stair case provides accessibility

to monitor Paxton Creek. The pavers cure a settling issue. The Towpath Trail resurfacing addresses erosion and fixes complaints of uneven surfaces and trip hazards.

All of these improvements are courtesy of the Olewine family. We thank them very much for their continued support and generosity to Wildwood Park.

Summer Camp Staff

Kayla Warshefski returns this year as part-time environmental educator for the summer’s slate of day camps and programs. Kayla was an intern last year. Joining her this year as interns will be Bryanna Kenno, Avery Corondi and Scott Houser.

(left to right) Bryanna Kenno, Avery Corondi,

Kayla Warshefski, and Scott Houser

4

First Place: Nesting Roots by Brook S. Lauer

Third Place: St. Stephen’s School of Fish by St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

Second Place: Eco Asylum by Ashley Russo, Beau Macginnes & Erik Fryer

Successful Opening of Art In The WildIn the spring issue of ‘A Word From Wildwood’, the new Art In The Wild installation environmental art project was described in which nine outdoor art pieces were selected to be installed around Wildwood Lake. The installations were completed, they were judged, and on April 12, awards were presented at the opening artists’ reception.

The project was conceived with the goals of presenting quality outdoor art using natural materials, providing educational opportunities and community involvement. A project brochure is available at the Olewine Nature Center and at information kiosks around the Park with the locations and descriptions of the artists and their installations. Visitors can enjoy a video on the installations at the Nature Center, the video can be helpful for those who don’t walk all the trails. The video was produced by Capital Area School of the Arts (CASA) students with guidance from their teacher, Caleb Smith. The works will be on display until October 31.

Dan Mack, a rustic artist, maker and author from Warwick, New York was invited to judge the installations. Mack also gave an inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable lecture to a packed audience at the Nature Center on April 11, providing a memorable opening event to the project. The winners (see photos) received cash awards from the following sponsors:

First Prize: Seltzer’s Lebanon Bologna Second Prize: Paul & Mary Lundeen Third Prize: Aaron & Janis Brenner

New components of the Art In The Wild project are the recently installed ‘Create Your Own Art In The Wild’ sites. There are currently three locations along the southern end of Wildwood Way Trail where visitors are invited to create their own outdoor art. There are supplies of stones, twigs and other materials with which to exercise one’s imagination. The works will constantly change as visitors re-imagine how the materials can be used. Have fun! The Art In The Wild Committee consists of: Marcy Brenner Jim Caufield Elizabeth Johnson Mary & Paul Lundeen Chris Rebert Donna C. Seltzer Olivia Susskind

5

Events CalendarNPR-No pre-registration, no fee * PR-Pre-registration and fee * PwR-Payment with Registration is required

All programs meet at Olewine Nature Center unless otherwise notedPrograms and events are listed at www.wildwoodlake.orgCall the Nature Center at 717-221-0292 for more details

Wed., July 10, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., July 13, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Mon., July 15 to Fri., July 19, Outdoor Week Camp-FULL9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Sun., July 14, Flower Walk: Still More Blooms10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., July 27, Yoga in Harmony with Nature10:00—11:30 a.m., NPR

Mon., July 29 to Fri., August 2, Digital Photography Day Camp-FULL9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Tues., August 6, Twilight Walk7:00—8:30 p.m., PR

Wed., August 7, Preschool Storytime: Summer at Wildwood!10:00—10:45 a.m., NPR

Sat., August 10, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sun., August 11, Flower Walk: Heat Tolerant Plants10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m., NPR

Tues., August 13, Educator Workshop: Monarchs in the Classroom9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Wed., August 14, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., August 17, Yoga in Harmony with Nature10:00—11:30 a.m., NPR

Wed., August 21, Think Green Workshop: Turn Plastic Bags into Crafts6:00—8:00 p.m., PR

Sat., September 7, Photography by Canoe9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m., PR

Sat., September 7, Canoe Wildwood1:00—3:00 p.m., PR

Wed., September 11, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., September 14, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sun., September 15, Boy Scout Workshop: Webelos “Forester”10:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PwR

Fri., September 20, Girl Scouts Workshop: Cadettes “Night Owl”4:30—9:00 p.m., PwR

Sun., September 22, Celebrate Wildwood!12:00—4:00 p.m., NPR

Wed., September 25, Educator Workshop: Raptors of the Sky9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Family Triathlon Highlights

Sponsors:

Prize Donors: Blue Mountain Outfitters, Whitaker Center for Sci-ence and the Arts, Pedal Pusher, Friends of Wild-wood, Susquehanna Outfitters, Bass Pro Shops, Susquehanna River Trail Association, Central Penn-sylvania Conservancy. Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors and prize donors who make this event possible.

Photos by Larry Imes

6

Volunteer NewsHome Builders Institute ProjectsStudents from the local Home Builders Institute (HBI) facilities maintenance program honed their skills on a real-world job site while they gave back to the Harrisburg community when they helped the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department with various projects at Wildwood Park.

The participants involved with the HBI program undertook and completed several trail improvement projects in Wildwood Park. Crew members assisted in resurfacing the popular one-mile Towpath Trail and helped to maintain 100 trees planted as part of a TreeVitalize grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The crew landscaped around the Olewine Nature Center and spearheaded invasive vine removal from mature park trees. They are part of HBI’S PACT for Adults in Harrisburg, a pre-apprenticeship certificate residential construction trades training program that prepares at-risk populations for satisfying, well-paying careers. The program currently is offered at the Dauphin County Prison.

The participants in the HBI PACT for Adults program are learning skills that will increase their chances of economic self-sufficiency and success so they can move forward and live a crime-free life. HBI PACT for Adults program combines academic instruction, literacy and employability skills with hands-on residential construction trades skills application. “Students must demonstrate competency in each skill area to earn a PACT certificate,” said Amy Strawser, Program Manager for HBI PACT for Adults in Harrisburg. “This requirement sets HBI apart from the competition because employers can be confident they are hiring well-trained employees.”

For more information about HBI PACT for Adults Harrisburg program, contact Amy Strawser at (717) 614-5485 or astrawser@hbi.org.

About Home Builders InstituteHome Builders Institute (HBI) is the 501(c)3 affiliate of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that provides training, mentoring, curriculum development and job placement services in support of the housing industry. As the workforce development arm of NAHB, HBI has prepared youth and adults for residential construction careers for more than 40 years. Visit www.hbi.org for more information.

Volunteers Enjoy Annual Picnic

Volunteers Enjoy Annual Picnic

Volunteers Enjoy Annual Picnic

Over 70 volunteers attended this year’s annual volunteer picnic in the Olew-

ine Pavilion. Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George Hartwick were the guest chefs serving up hamburgers and hotdogs for the volunteers.

Staff and the Friends of Wildwood thanked the volun-teers for their dedication and hard work. Volunteers work in various areas of Wildwood Park including trail maintenance, workday crews, special events, front desk and education. The volunteers logged in 6,200 hours during 2012.

Thank you volunteers for helping to keep Wildwood Park great! Thank you Commissioners Haste, Pries and Hartwick for your support of Wildwood Park and its volunteers!

Friends of Wildwood Membership Application

New Membership Renewal Membership

Name__________________________________________

Address________________________________________

City___________________________________________

State and Zip Code _______________

Telephone ______________________________________

Email Address ___________________________________

Make checks payable to: Friends of Wildwood 100 Wildwood Way

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Or

Sign up to use PayPal at www.wildwoodlake.org

Questions about the Friends of Wildwood or Wildwood Park can be directed to friendsofww@wildwoodlake.org

Membership Category (please check one)

$15.00 Student Membership

Student Membership: School _____________Grade ______

$35.00 Individual Membership

$50.00 Family Membership

Family Membership: Please list the family members’ names and dependent children’s ages.

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

$100.00 Supporting Membership

$500.00 Business Membership

I would like to contribute additional funding in the amount of $ _______________ to help support Wildwood Park.

Membership Benefits Your membership supports the ongoing environ-mental education programs and conservation efforts of Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center.

Membership includes the following:

• 10% discount off Nature Shop purchases

• Subscription to A Word from Wildwood quarterly newsletter

• Invitations to special programs or activities “For Members Only”

• Reciprocal membership in more than 125 nature centers throughout the country that participate in the Association of Nature Center Administrators program

7

The Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization listed with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations, and incorporated within the Commonwealth of PA. It is an advocate for Wildwood Park through preservation, education and financial support.

Go Green Sign up for an E-newsletter

A Word from Wildwood can be sent

electronically to Friends of Wild-wood members. Contact the editor at

slockerman@dauphinc.org. Help save paper! Go Green!

Friends of Wildwood100 Wildwood WayHarrisburg, PA 17110(717) 221-0292www.wildwoodlake.org

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG PAPERMIT NO. 533

30% Recycled post-consumer fiber

Celebrate Wildwood!

Sunday, September 22 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming programs!

Art In The Wild Exhibit

Runs through October 31 Dawn to Dusk