THE FWCCSP RECORD

VOLUME 2 NO.2

SECOND AJ\JNUAL MEETING HELD AT JUDGE MORRIS ESTATE

The second annual meeting of the Friends of White Clay Creek State Park was
held on March 18th, 1999 at the Andrew Gray House on the Judge Morris Estate. A total
of 47 members and guests attended the event highlighted by a presentation by director of
Parks and Recreation Charles Salkin on the present and future plans for White Clay Creek
State Park. This followed tours of the house, dessert and a brief business meeting where
the following actions were taken: The executive committe for 1999 was elected
unanimously President, Andrew Urquhart; Vice-President, Frank Rawling; Treasurer, Kyle
Bottorrf; and Secretary, Mark Keese.
Also, a proposed change to the by-laws was announced (see May meeting minutes for
more information).

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

by Tom Hallenbeck

To commemorate National Trails Day, members of the Friends of White Clay Creek State
Park gathered with several other volunteer organizations and State DNREC employees to
upgrade the main trails at the Judge Morris property on Polly Drummond Rd. David
Bartoo, Trail Specialist for Delaware State Parks, coordinated the event and other state
park employees served as leaders for individual work groups. In addition to general trail
maintenance, a by-pass trail was created to avoid an erosion area and a new footbridge
was constructed. The weather cooperated and a good half-day's work was put in by
everyone (longer for the bridge builders). FWCCSP members who participated were Deb
Alesantrino, Julie Burkey, Bob Bennett, Jim Gitney, Ton Hallenbeck, Jack Hill, John
Thomas, Andy Urquhart, Carolyn White and Chris Yasik. Thanks to all!

MORE BENCHES DEPLOYED IN PARK by Andy Urquhart

Great progress is being made on the bench project, thanks to the efforts of Tom Braatz,
Jack Hill, John Thomas, and project leader Andy Urquhart. Park Superintendent Nick
McFadden has provided invaluable assistance as well. Donations have been received for
six benches. To date, two benches have been made and placed within the park. One is on
the loop trail above Chamber's Rock Rd (near the PA line), and the other is at the Twin
Ponds area on the trail behind the park office. Both are in stunningly beautiful locations­
take time to try them out ifyou haven't already. Three more benches have been completed
and will be installed in the park in the near future, and another three are partially complete.
If we get ahead of donations we intend to continue to make and place benches, and we
will add plaques to them as additional donations are received. If you, or anyone you
know, are interested in donating a bench contact Andy Urquhart at 239-2471.

FRIENDS AID IN BIRD COUNT

Six members ofFWCCSP helped on the White Clay Creek State Park part ofthe
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Delmarva Ornithological Society's spring bird count, a state-wide census of bird
populations. The count occurred on May 8. White Clay Creek State Park is one of the
premier birding locations in the state and the numbers bear that out: a total of 109 species
were recorded including 23 species of warblers for a grand total of almost 3000 individual
birds. Thanks to Frank and Phyllis Rawling, Andy Urquhart, Dorothy Miller, Gene Hess
and Mark Keese for their efforts.

OPEN SPACE INITIATIVE BEFORE DE LEGISLATURE

The Delaware State Legislature is currently considering funding for the preservation of
open space and farmland in Delaware, including the potential acquisition ofland to expand
White Clay Creek State Park. We urge you to call or write your Senator and
Representative and urge their support for open space and farmland preservation. For
information on who represents your district in the legislature and how to contact them call
the Department of Elections at 577-3464.

CITY OF NEWARK STILL SEEKS RESERVOIR SITE

The City ofNewark currently is considering whether to condemn the Koelig property on
Old Paper Mill Rd for the purpose of constructing a reservoir to provide for Newark's
future water needs. Although this property is not within or adjacent to the park, we are
requesting our members who live in the City ofNewark support this action for the
following reasons: 1) building the reservoir at this location would eliminate the threat that
the resrvoir could be built elsewhere, possibly on lands that would have a greater impact
on White Clay Creek State Park, 2) some of the land surrounding a new reservoir would
be used as a city park, and 3) the reservoir would prevent the alternative of development
of as many as 200 new homes on this property (the development plan has already been
approved). Please contact your city councilperson to express your support for this
condemnation.

CHANGE IN MEETING SCHEDULE

Please be informed that the meeting scheduled for July 15, 1999 has been canceled due to
the summer vacation season. Our next meeting will be on September 16, 1999 at 7:00 PM
at the Nature Center. Also, the Executive Committee has decided to change from
bimontWy to quarterly meetings, still on the third Thursday of the month (except that
December's meeting will be on the second Thursday to reduce conflicts with the holiday
season). Thus, future meetings will be on September 16, 1999, December 9, 1999, March
16,2000 (annual meeting) and June 15,2000.

MINUTES FROM MEETING: MAY 20, 1999 by Mark Keese

The May meeting of the FWCCSP was called to order at 7: 11 PM, President Andy
Urquhart presiding. In attendance: Andy Urquhart, Kyle Bottorrf, Frank Rawling, Gene
Hess, Tom Hallenbeck, John Thomas, Jack Hill, Jim and Mauricette Gitney, Carolyn
White, David Bartoo and Mark Keese. The meeting commenced with a presentation by
David Bartoo, Trail Specialist for State Parks on his work to map the trail systems for
each state park as a prelude to developing a comprehensive trail strategy (including

standardization of signs, trail characteristics (width etc... )). He informed us ofa large trail

maintenance project scheduled for National Trails Day, June 5th at the Judge Morris

property. FWCCSP conunitted to participate.

Kyle provided a financial report. We have 97 paid members and $1247.00 in the budget.

Our expenditures for the year to date is $614.00.

The proposed by-laws change, that quorum for an executive committee meeting be 3

rather than 5 was approved unanimously.

Projects updates: Two projects have been completed, the refurbishing of bluebird boxes

in the field north of Chambers Rock Rd. parking lot and the clean-up of the bottle dump

on the old cart road off of Thompson Station Rd.

Thanks to all who participated, Frank Rawling, Ginny Schiavelli, Jack Hill, Gene Hess,

Kyle Bottorrf, Tom Hallenbeck and Mark Keese.

Benches: Two benches completed and installed.

National Trails Day: FWCCSP will participate in Judge Morris project on June 5th (see

above).

The deadlines for requesting a booth for Liberty Day is May 28 and for Newark

Community Day is July 1. We have agreed to participate in both events again this year.

Andy Urquhart discussed a conversation he had with Marc Churra about the Friends

assisting with getting public input for a scaled-back proposal for a band shell at Carpenter

Recreation Center. Discussion centered around the potential controversial nature of this

issue. It was agreed that we should be careful not to give the impression that we were

supporting the band shell proposal, merely facilitating an avenue for the public to

comment on the porposal. Andy Urquhart was going to pursue this matter with Marc

Churra.

The meeting concluded sometime around 8: 40 PM.

Faithfully Submitted,

Mark Keese, Secretary

FWCCSP