Sewickley Creek Watershed Association in Westmoreland County partnered with the City of Greensburg and other groups to conclude a three-year, streambank remediation project and celebrate Earth Day at Lynch Field on April 25.

(Photo: Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas addresses the Earth Day crowd at Lynch Field.)

With grants from Firestone Building Products, the group finalized the project by installing an education kiosk and interpretive trail signs along Jacks Run, adjacent to the athletic complex. 

The kiosk and signs explain the best engineering practices employed to prevent bank erosion and re-direct the flow of the stream.  They include stream deflectors, geo-web panels, rip-rap, and a jack dam.  Trees, shrubs and grass have also been planted over the past three years to help stabilize the bank. 

The tens of thousands of visitors who visit the park annually can learn how similar techniques might be used in their communities and backyards.    

The kiosk was designed and constructed by students from the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center.  At the kiosk dedication ceremony, Gary Kistler, Carpentry Instructor, expressed how proud he was of his students. 

“The project was a practical learning experience that our students will be able to showcase to their family and friends for decades to come.  The students enjoyed putting their engineering and carpentry skills to work on a real community project!” said Kistler.

Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas thanked all of the partners, especially Scout Troop 465 from Hempfield Township that has helped Sewickley Creek on Earth Day events since 1995. 

“It is through partnerships like this project that we can make the biggest difference in our communities.  Each group brings a piece of the puzzle to the table,” said Commissioner Kopas.  “It is great to see the City, Firestone, the Career and Technology Center and all of the volunteers pulling together to repair the streambanks, and to use Lynch Field as a demonstration site.”  

The scouts installed five interpretive trail signs, planted 80 tree seedlings, and spread mulch prior to the ceremony.     

In other related Earth Day events, volunteers cleaned up 42 tires, a sofa, electronics and 40 bags of litter along Shinsky Road in Unity Township.  Local residents have adopted this heavily littered roadway through Westmoreland Cleanways, and with the help of Township Supervisors, clean it regularly. 

And, 15 employees at Menasha Packaging Company near Yukon celebrated Earth Day by completing their own beautification project at the entrance to their plant.  As part of that project, they removed trash, including tires and lawn chairs, from the banks of Sewickley Creek adjacent to the plant.   

The Association expresses its sincere appreciation to all of the partners and volunteers who helped bring this three-year project to fruition.  Sewickley Creek Watershed Association is a 501 c 3 nonprofit, organization that helps manage the 168 square mile watershed drained by Sewickley Creek in Westmoreland County. 

Their primary focus is remediation of abandoned mine discharges.  Other projects include building riparian buffers, trail development and environmental education. 

For more information about the organization and pictures from the Earth Day event, visit the  Sewickley Creek Watershed Association website.

5/4/2015