Explore Wildwood

During PA Hiking Week, family teams and groups of friends enjoyed outdoor adventure and naturalist challenges in a new program called Explore Wildwood. The self-guided program included 12 Exploration Stations along the 3.1-mile loop trail. After visiting the stations, participants checked their answers at Explanation Stations inside the nature center.

“We LOVE Wildwood and it was so fun to have new learning stations here!”. This was one of the enthusiastic responses to the program. By learning more about nature on their walk, people were able to appreciate the park on a deeper level.

Over 300 participants explored Wildwood through this new program.

A word from

Wildwood

Summer 2015

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

Summary of Wildwood Lake Restoration Feasibility Study

Wildwood Lake was created as a stormwater management and recreational facility in the early 20th century. 108 years later, it still serves the same purposes though, its impoundment capacity for management of stormwater runoff and flood control has been significantly decreased. Wildwood Lake once had an average depth of 4 feet with deeper areas of 13 feet. It now averages less than a foot in depth, with the deepest water being around 3 feet. Friends of Wildwood were instrumental in helping the park take a step toward addressing this long term challenge of sedimentation. Friends hired engineering firm Herbert, Rowland and Grubic Inc. (HRG) to conduct a Feasibility Study to address the accumulation of sediment that has been deposited in Wildwood Lake. Friends of Wildwood and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation have partnered to determine the feasibility of restoring Wildwood Lake.

Continued on Page 4

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 PresidentMary Laverty Bigelow, Ph.D.-SecretaryMaureen Hickey-Treasurer

Board MembersMatt BarcaroCarolyn Blatchley Jim Caufield Carl Dickson Paddy Garcia Tom Keck Carol Lopus Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., Ph.D.Bob OrrisChris RebertTeresa SchmittbergerKathy SilksKen StarkOlivia SusskindEugene Wingert

A Word from the President

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Wildwood Park and the Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center 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 ManagerJosh Haring, Part-time Environmental EducatorSandy Lockerman, Environmental EducatorDeb Rowe, Administrative AssistantKristie Smith, Part-time Environmental EducatorKayla Warshefski, Part-time Environmental EducatorJane Webster, Environmental Educator

Summer day camps are in full swing. Children learn about nature and get outdoors during these camps. In addition to the campers, Wildwood Park has an internship program in which college students assist in the developing and conducting of the camps. The staff and Board are proud of those interns, many of who have gone on to careers in environmental education, teaching and the natural sciences.

If you haven’t done so yet, come walk the park’s trails and see this year’s Art In The Wild environmental art exhibits. Nearly two dozen artists and groups contributed their talent and resources to create the 16 trailside installations.

The Feasibility Study to address the accumulation of sediment has been completed and was presented to the Board at the May meeting. It can be viewed on the Friends’ website, www.wildwoodlake.org.

Heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who help the staff and Friends conduct the many events at Wildwood Park. We could not do it without you.

I hope to see you at Wildwood.

Respectfully,Shawn Scott, President

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 

Go Green Sign up for an E-newsletter

A Word from Wildwood can be sent electronically to Friends of Wildwood members. Contact the editor

at slockerman@dauphinc.org.

Help save paper and $! Go Green!

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Park Highlights2015 Art In The Wild

Twenty four artists and groups participated in the third annual Art In The Wild environmental art exhibit. The sixteen juried entries were installed and judged during the month of April. First, second, and third place awards were presented at the Artist’s Reception held on April 10.

While all the participating artists are winners in the eyes of the project’s planning committee, the three top installations are:

First Place: Pressure Points by Sam White (Site #7)

Second Place: Organic Mechanic by Ashley Russo and Beau Macginnes (Site #6)

Third Place: Together as One by Kerri Miller (Site #9)

Again this year will be the People’s Choice award. Voting for a favorite installation can be accomplished at the Nature Center front desk or by following the Facebook link on www.wildwoodlake.org. An Art In The Wild brochure is available at the Nature Center and in information kiosks located throughout the Park. The brochure includes the locations of each installation in addition to information about each piece and its artist. Visitors can also enjoy a video on the installations at www.wildwoodlake.org. The video was prepared by Caleb Smith and the Capital Areas School for the Arts.

Thank you to the Art In The Wild awards sponsors: First Prize: Seltzer’s Lebanon BolognaSecond Prize: Elizabeth Johnson and Dan DeiblerThird Prize: Aaron and Janis Brenner

Thank you to Shannon Rose O’Shea for photographing the installations.

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

Keeping An Eye On Our Ash Trees

For the second consecutive year, Friends of Wildwood funded the treatment of ash trees in Wildwood Park. Since the arrival of the exotic Emerald Ash Borer pest to Wildwood Park in 2014, Friends have funded treatment of specimen ash trees in the vicinity of the nature center.

In May of 2015, five mature trees ranging from 22 to 32 inches in diameter were treated with trunk injections of Arbormectin, a formulation of Emamectin benzoate. This systemic insecticide is absorbed by the tree and suppresses Emerald Ash Borer.

Department of Natural Resources Forester Andrew Brought has observed ash tree decline and notes it is spreading west to east. Recently he stated, “Control of Emerald Ash Borer on a large scale is much too expensive. However, if someone has a prized ash tree in their yard there are options. Keep in mind dead ash trees deteriorate and rot quickly.”

This summer, Wildwood Park Interns will be actively monitoring ash trees to track changes in tree health.

Summary of Wildwood Lake Restoration Feasibility StudyContinued from Page 1

In summary, the study provided much needed baseline information that will help shape future wetland management decisions in Wildwood Park. The study outlined required steps including what types of state and federal permitting would be necessary to perform sediment removal. It accepted reviews from state agencies responsible for managing sensitive fish and game species, and plant communities. It provided a five-step process to sediment removal beginning with step number one - working to restore the historic Paxton Creek channel and create a series of passive debris and sediment floodplain storage areas.

One highlight was the chemical quality of the sediment studied was found to meet PA Department of Environmental Protection’s definition of ‘clean fill’. This was good news since one of the challenges is what to do with the sediment after it is removed. If it is clean, it is easier to find a place to put it. It is important to note a more comprehensive sampling and analytical plan would be needed to meet design and permitting requirements which could produce varied results.

The Wildwood Lake restoration project costs were provided in the study and ranged from five to eleven million dollars. HRG identified federal and state grant sources for consideration.

The Friends of Wildwood Board members and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation staff invites you to read the study in its entirety in the “What’s Happening” section of www.wildwoodlake.org.

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HACCFest 2015

Wildwood Park participated in annual HACCFest this year. It is a one-day festival held on the last day of classes featuring exhibitors, music, an inflatable obstacle course and more. The event is sponsored by HACC’s Student Government Association with help from Student Programming Board and Student Life.

Board Member Carol Lopus and staff educator, Kristie Smith distributed information about Wildwood Park’s programs and volunteer opportunities. This year, Wildwood Park is one of the proud recipients of proceeds

from the event. Pictured here with Kristie are HACC’s Student Government Association President, Madeline Barber, and Secretary, Hayden Allison.

Photo by Carol Lopus

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

All programs meet at Olewine Nature Center unless otherwise notedPrograms and events are listed at: www.dauphincounty.org and www.wildwoodlake.org

Call the Nature Center at 717-221-0292 for more details

Mon., July 6 to Fri., July 10, Jr. Naturalist Day Camp-FULL9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Sat., July 11, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

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

Wed., July 15, Preschool Storytime: Summer at Wildwood!10:00—10:45 a.m., NPR

Sun., July 19, Meet a Naturalist: Animals of Wildwood1:00—2:30 p.m., NPR

Mon., July 20 to Fri., July 24, Outdoor Week-FULL9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Tues., July 28, Educator Workshop: Project WET8:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m., PR

Tues., July 28 to Fri., July 31, Science Series Camp9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m., PR

Sat., August 1, Connecting with Nature through Art1:00—3:00 p.m., PR

Mon., August 3 to Fri., August 7, Photo Boot Camp: Fundamentals of Photography Camp-FULL9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m., PR

Sat., August 8, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., August 8, Late Summer Morning Bird Walk8:00—10:00 a.m., NPR

Wed., August 12, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sun., August 16, Meet a Naturalist: Animals of Wildwood1:00—2:30 p.m., NPR

Sun., August 16, Flower Walk: Heat Tolerant Plants10:30 a.m.—12:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., August 29, Discovery Walk1:00—2:30 p.m., NPR

Fri., September 4, Scout Workshop: Cadettes “Night Owl”4:30—9:00 p.m., PR

Wed., September 9, Stress Relief Walk6:00—7:30 p.m., NPR

Sat., September 12, Volunteer Work Day10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m., NPR

Sat., September 19, Boy Scout Workshop: Webelos “Forester” Badge10:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m., PwR

Sun., September 20, Flower Walk: Goldenrods, Asters and Other Fall Surprises1:30—3:00 p.m., NPR

Sun., September 27, Celebrate Wildwood!12:00—4:00 p.m., NPR

Welcome Summer Staff

Welcome to the new summer interns (back row left to right) Katie Wenrich and Randy Feris, HACC, and (front row left to right) Tyler Smith, Lock Haven University and staff educator, Kayla Warshefski. They will be here through August helping with the popular age-grouped day camps for children from ages 5—16.

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Volunteer News

Bat Boxes Donated

Students from Central Dauphin School District’s Science Olympiad Teams donated three bat boxes to Wildwood Park this spring. The boxes were built by the students with direction from Mr. Paul Neely, a woodworker and community volunteer. Thank You!

Volunteers Help With Wetlands Festival

Volunteers were out in full force this year for Wetlands Festival. In spite of the cold start to the day, fifty-seven volunteers helped with the festival’s activities.

A big thank you to all who helped make the festival a great success:

Steve AnthonyMatt BarcaroKeith BentzMary BigelowCarolyn BlatchleyMarcy BrennerLee CasherJim CaufieldGayle Cowdright Dale DarkesElaine DuncanJane EarlePaddy GarciaIan GardnerShirley HamiltonJim HaslamMoe HickeyTom HilbishLee HitchcockSydney HoodTraci HoodOlivia HulstineMatt LavellePat LavelleGary LockermanJoan LolcamaCarol LopusLeyla MartinezOmar Martinez

Cara Martinez-WilliamsCollette MatthewsJohn MaxwellMeredith MayerMaria MosqueraPeter NeuyenSandy NeviusLovena NickleBob OrrisPam ParsonLenka PlattRick PriceCarly RakesDoug RakesSue Ellen RamerMarc RobbinsJason RubinicDale RupertDonna SeltzerJessica ShilladayKathy SilksCharlie SmithKen StarkKaty SuttonKim Van FleetLaurie ViozziGene WingertMary Jo Zemitis

Volunteer Picnic

In June, Wildwood Park and the Friends of Wildwood hosted the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. County Commissioners Jeff Haste and George P. Hartwick III were guest chefs for the event held in the Olewine Pavilion. Volunteers were presented with new shirts and Years-Of-Service pins for their continuing dedication and hard work.

The following volunteers were honored: 15-Year Pin Bryan Genesse Dale Darkes Shirley Hamilton Will Webster Jim Haslam 5-Year Pin Larry Imes Patrick Akins Shawn Scott Heather Dock Olivia Susskind

Clean Up Your Earth Day Volunteers

Over two dozen volunteers removed 600 lbs. of trash during Wildwood’s Clean Up Your Earth Day. In honor of Earth Day, the volunteers cleared trails and forest of litter and removed invasive plants from the Park.

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.

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: A special Friends newsletter giving you news and notice of upcoming events. 10% discount at our Nature Shop, including nature books for children and adults, toys, jewelry, cards and other great gifts. Reciprocal membership and admission in selected nature centers around the U.S. The reciprocal mem-bership list can be found at www.natctr.org - Recip-rocal Memberships. Invitation to members-only programs and activ-ities.

Rain Barrels Installed at Olewine Nature Center

Two 50-gallon rain barrels were installed this year for the front downspouts of the Olewine Nature Center. These barrels will slowly drain rain water through soaker hoses into the surrounding landscape.

Using these rain barrels to collect water from the roof slows down its distribution and helps decrease the impact of runoff into the Paxton Creek.

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

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

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

Mark your calendars for these free Summer programs!

Stress Relief Walks

Wednesday, July 8 Wednesday, August 12

Bird Walks

Sunday, July 12 Saturday, August 8

Flower Walks

Sunday, July 12 Sunday, August 16

Times listed on Page 5