The ED's Report - Year One Done!
- Betsy Daley

Well, the first year is done! It has been an exciting first year as the full-time executive director for the Schuylkill Canal Association. Many challenges have come across my desk over the past year that have made it tough but at the same time exhilarating as I address each issue head-on.

The biggest challenge that I face every day is being a one-person staff office. At times I feel like I am being pulled in so many directions that it is hard to accomplish one task let alone the multiple tasks that need to get done.

Regardless of this, a great deal has been accomplished this year. Our membership has increased 22% and our corporate and small business sponsorships have increased 50%. New partnerships have been formed, awareness has increased and the overall management of the site has improved. Three restoration projects have been successfully completed. The public restrooms are currently being built and will be completed by mid-December. And, SCA’s most significant restoration project is about to begin. Road-Con, Inc. from West Chester should begin to mobilize to Lock 60 within a month’s time to begin the lock’s restoration.

SCA is very proud of these accomplishments as we continue to deal with growing pains that are expected when a change is made. One of the constants that makes my job easier is the dedicated volunteer force that is in place providing the impetus to advance SCA’s mission. These volunteers are local residents, outdoor enthusiasts, lawyers, marketing execs., gardeners, retired editors, machinists, engineers, electricians, landscape management experts, teachers, authors, and so on. In other words, they are ordinary people who have gotten involved because they share the same passion and desire to preserve and maintain this unique community resource for future generations.

Have you that desire, do you have the same passion, do you enjoy this wonderful recreational site and want to make sure it remains a well-maintained community resource? If you can answer yes to any of these questions – get involved! On page five of this newsletter there is a Volunteer Wish List that lists specific needs. If you have a few hours to spare weekly, on a monthly basis or for a specific project, give me a call. Even if you aren’t proficient in the skills needed, your willingness and desire to help will be a plus and will make a huge difference.

Troop 406, Royersford, enclosing the propane tank at the Locktender’s House

One of my responsibilities as the executive director that I take great pleasure in is to interact with the local youth organizations. The Schuylkill Canal Recreation Area is an ideal site for the local Boy and Girl Scout troops to acquire their needed community service badges. Over the past year, two Eagle Scout candidates have completed projects at Lock 60. Matt Kane, from Audubon/Oaks Boy Scout Troop 313 , completed a project in the spring that involved the removal of vines that were choking the trees along the Nature Trail, re-establishing the trail and spreading woodchips to prevent overgrowth. He put in over 200 hours of work on the project. Mark Wilson, from Royersford Boy Scout Troop 406, enclosed the propane tank on the outside of the kitchen at the Locktender’s House. A German-siding wooden enclosure was built, painted and completed by the end of June. It matches the kitchen addition so well; it looks like it had always been there. Upper Providence Boy Scout Troop 513 has provided many hours of help for tree plantings, food sales on Canal Day and general clean-up days.

Girl Scout Troop 1153, Oaks, in the Herb Garden at Lock 60

Two Girl Scout troops from Oaks, Troop 1153 and Jr. Troop 1176, have donated countless hours of time on clean-up days, for Herb Garden maintenance and tree plantings. They helped our young visitors during the St. Patrick’s Day Treasure Hunt,

helped paint faces and assist in craft making on Canal Day and lined the towpath with luminary candles for our annual holiday celebration. Eighteen Girl Scouts from Troop 1153 donated 15 hours each or more of time to earn the Bronze Award, the highest award given for community service.