Notices
Farewell to a Friend
It is with much sadness that we share the passing of James Ries, a long-time
member and active volunter of the FWCCSP. Since 2004, Jim served on the Executive
Committee as Projects Coodinator and was directly responsible for organizing
and leading numerous efforts that have benefitted the park greatly over the
years. The many positive results he brought about will remain a lasting legacy
to Jim’s dedication, enthusiasum and tireless support for this organization
and the park. We will deeply miss his friendship, kindness and unerring wisdom.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delawareonline/obituary.aspx?n=james-peter-ries&pid=155014755&fhid=7883
Elaine Burg Elected Chair of New Media and Communications Committee
We are very pleased to announce that Elaine Burg has been elected by
the Officers of the Friends to the position of Chair, Media and
Communications Committee. This is a new standing committee of the
Friends, established to strengthen our communications with our members
and with the outside world.
Elaine has held a number of marketing-related positions in her
professional career and is an active user of the park. Anyone
interested in working with her on this new committee is invited to
contact her at elaine.burg215@gmail.com.
New Citizens Advisory Council for WCCSP is Up and Running
The new Citizens Advisory Council for White Clay Creek State Park
held its first meeting on October 11, 2011. The purpose of the council
is to provide citizens with a better opportunity to advise the Division
of Parks and Recreation on the development and operation of the park.
The council consists of representatives of 12 different user groups of
the park, including the Friends.
All meetings of the Council are open and the public is encouraged to
attend. Meeting announcements (including agendas) and minutes will be
posted on the web site of the state Department of Natural Resources and
Environmental Control. Future meetings are scheduled for January 24,
April 24, and July 24, 2012.
Division Finalizes New Trail Plan for the Park
Although still in draft form, the Division of Parks and Recreation considers the new Trail Plan for the park to be finalized. The latest information may be viewed here.
Schedule for Deer Hunting in White Clay Creek State Park (Delaware)
Archery hunting
October 17, 2011 – November 10, 2011
Extended Archery Season for Judge Morris area only:
October 17, 2011 – November 19, 2011
December 15, 2011 – December 17, 2011
January 14, 2012 – January 22, 2012
Trails are not closed during archery hunting, but trailheads will be posted “Warning Active Hunting Area”.
Shotgun hunting
November 11, 2011 – November 19, 2011
December 15, 2011 – December 17, 2011
January 4, 2012
Special hunt, Deerfield only
January 14, 2012 – January 21, 2012
Trails will be closed in areas with active shotgun hunting. Trailheads will be posted “Trail Closed Active Hunting Area”.
Note that all trails are open and there is no hunting of any kind on Sundays.
Click here for WCCSP hunting rules and here for hunting locations in the park.
Check Out Recent Newsletter
Our July 2011 newsletter is full of news, events, updates, schedules, etc. Check it out by following this link. Our newsletters can also be accessed through the main menu item “News / Notices” at the top of each web page.
“Smash and Grab” Robberies and Graffiti Are Continuing Concerns
The possibility of “smash and grab” break-ins of cars in parking lots for the park is an ongoing concern. Park visitors are reminded not to leave any valuable items in sight in parked vehicles.
As has been happening elsewhere in our communities, the park has occasionally been targeted by graffiti vandals. Park visitors are asked to report graffiti to the park office at 368-6900 so the Park Staff can respond. Visitors should not attempt to remove the graffiti, which could make it worse. The Park Staff have the proper chemicals and methods for safe removal. Prompt removal of graffiti tends to discourage further vandalism.
Friends Activities Listed
Our most recent annual report provides a brief summary of our volunteer activities during 2010. Follow this link to see the report.
Special Newsletter Articles Chronicle History of Park Area
Articles describing various aspects of the history of the area in or near the park have appeared in several newsletters. These articles can be accessed through this link or by clicking on "Park Area History" under the main menu item "Park Info & Links". Brief summaries are given below.
In collecting oral histories of the park area, one person frequently mentioned is "Dutch Billy," a local character who lived as a squatter for many years in what has become the Possum Hill area of the park. Andrea Cassel has summarized these recollections in an interesting article included as a special supplement at the end of the November 2006 newsletter.
Remember those old newsreels of motorcycle hill climbs in the days before television? They showed “crazy people” riding their motorcycles up extremely steep slopes until they lost traction, fell, or flipped over backwards. It turns out that the White Clay Valley provided venues for these events in the 1930s, and they were very popular with spectators. This interesting aspect of local history is described in a special article in our April 2006 newsletter.
Did you know that the eastern terminus of the famous Mason Dixon line lies in White Clay Creek State Park? Read all about how that came to be and other events surrounding Mason and Dixon's survey in a special article in our April 2005 newsletter.
Our June 2004 newsletter contains an article describing the visit by famous temperance advocate Carrie Nation to the 1904 Harvest Home celebration of the Ebenezer Methodist Church. This was held in Whiteman’s Grove, which now lies in the Possum Hill part of White Clay Creek State Park. The article provides an intriguing view of life in this area nearly 100 years ago.
The fascinating story of the Pomeroy and Newark Railroad is continued in a special supplement to our May 2003 newsletter. This article describes some of the old stations along the line, most of which have vanished, leaving hardly a trace.
Also in the May 2003 newsletter is a short article describing "The Horn", an area along the curved boundary between Delaware and Pennsylvania that was originally part of Delaware and later became part of Pennsylvania when the border was redrawn.
Another article on the Pomeroy and Newark Railroad appeared in the November 2002 newsletter.
The choice of "Chambers House" as the name for the nature center at White Clay Creek State Park honors both the structure's original builder and his ancestors, who were one of the first Quaker families to settle in the valley. The interesting history of the family and the house is described in an article in the May 2001 newsletter.