The Delaware County Digest

Your source for the latest news from Delaware County | April 8, 2025

You may have noticed a new look to this edition of the County newsletter—we’re excited to roll out the Delaware County Digest! It’s a fresh, streamlined take on the Delaware County Weekly. Same great info, but designed to be quicker to read, easier to navigate, and more focused on what matters most: Keeping you connected to County news, events, and services.

During the April 2 County Council meeting, Planning Director Gina Burritt presented the Delco Woods Master Plan to the public. The plan lays out a comprehensive vision to protect the last forested section of land in eastern Delaware County while maximizing community benefits and access to nature and recreation.

“What our team has put together is a really great introduction to the park,” County Council Member Elaine Paul Schaefer said noting the all-accessibility Woodland Loop Trail. “Everyone can come into this park and really get into the forested part and experience it.”

“It’s very easy for us to lose track of just how far we’ve come with regards to this property in a relatively short period of time,” Madden said. “It was only four years ago that these woods were being developed. The plans were on the table, the bulldozers were (ready). The fact that that is not happening, the fact that we have this large untouched piece of property … is the real legacy we want to leave for generations to come.”

Read more here: Delco Woods Master Plan Presented to Delaware County Council

The DCHD Team, led by Director Lora Werner, outside of their Eddystone office

This week marks the third anniversary of the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD)—three years of dedicated service, innovation, and meaningful community impact. Since its establishment in 2022, DCHD has become a cornerstone of care in the county, working daily to protect and improve the health and well-being of all residents.

To celebrate this milestone, DCHD hosted its annual “Clean the Green” park cleanup event on Friday, April 4, with staff volunteers helping to beautify Little Flower Park in Darby and Kent Dog Park in Drexel Hill. This hands-on initiative reflects the department’s commitment to healthier communities—not just through clinical services, but through cleaner environments that promote wellness and community pride.

Over the past three years, DCHD has launched numerous programs aimed at improving access to care and supporting long-term health outcomes. Among the department’s most impactful accomplishments:

• The Delco Revive harm reduction program was expanded to provide life-saving tools such as Narcan, fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and Stop the Bleed kits—alongside critical public trainings in Narcan administration, CPR, and trauma response.
• The Test and Go kiosks were introduced to deliver free, 24/7 access to respiratory and STI testing, helping residents get the care they need when and where they need it.
• The launch of the County’s first Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) created a strategic, collaborative roadmap to address long-term public health priorities through local partnerships.

“Our Health Department continues to meet the moment with smart, responsive programs that make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Richard Womack. “From mental health and substance use support to environmental health and emergency preparedness, DCHD is improving outcomes, building trust, and helping every community in Delaware County live healthier.”

This week, DCHD is celebrating National Public Health Week (April 7–11) with a special social media campaign showcasing the department’s work in areas like disease prevention, clinical services, environmental health, and emergency preparedness. Residents are encouraged to follow along and learn how public health plays a role in everyday life.

To learn more about the Delaware County Health Department’s programs and services, visit DelcoPA.Gov/Health or call the Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100.

Happy anniversary, DCHD—and thank you for your commitment to a healthier Delaware County.

Delaware County Libraries celebrates National Library Week 2025, taking place April 6–12, with the theme “Drawn to the Library”—a tribute to the many ways libraries serve as vital, vibrant centers of community life.

The County’s Library Services department is the administrative headquarters of the federated system of 26 independent libraries and supports a wide range of programs and services that meet the diverse needs of residents across the County. In 2024 alone, Delaware County libraries provided more than 63,700 hours of service, welcomed 1.3 million visitors, answered 118,000 reference questions, and facilitated over 2.8 million checkouts—from bestsellers to museum passes to eBooks.

Behind those numbers is a dedicated team of 113 full-time staff members, 216 part-time employees, and 181 volunteers who make Delaware County Libraries thrive. From children’s librarians to reference staff to outreach coordinators and circulation staff, these individuals bring a deep commitment to service and learning. Many have spent decades supporting their communities through periods of growth and change, and their passion, expertise, and care are the foundation of everything our libraries provide. Their work not only ensures access to books and resources, but also fosters welcoming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, grow, and thrive.

“We have so much to celebrate when it comes to our library staff and the services they provide,” said Anny Laepple, Director of Delaware County Libraries. “Every day, library workers are connecting residents with the resources, programs, and services they need—and I’m incredibly proud of the work they do.”

County Council presents a resolution to the Delaware County Libraries team during the April 4 County Public Meeting, declaring April 6-12 to be Public Library Week in Delaware County

Delaware County libraries also provide exceptional value to the community by meeting a wide range of needs—from job search support and early childhood literacy to free museum passes, seed libraries, and technology access—all at a relatively low cost per user. Many services, upgrades, and special programs are made possible through grant funding and partnerships, including support from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Library Foundation of Delaware County, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the Keystone Grant for Public Library Facilities program, helping to stretch public dollars even further.

Libraries continue to innovate with unique offerings like the “Libraries of Things”, where patrons can borrow pickleball sets, walkers, metal detectors, and even garden seeds through local branches. The Beanstack reading challenge inspired readers to log more than 1.3 million minutes and 100,000 titles last year.

Programs remain a major draw: Over 11,000 events in 2024 brought in nearly 214,000 attendees, with outreach extending to senior centers and preschool classrooms across the County. 

National Library Week runs April 6–12, with 310 events, including Read at Rose Tree on Wednesday, April 9. 

This National Library Week, take time to rediscover the library and see how it draws us together as a community. Whether you're visiting for books, resources, or a place to connect, Delaware County libraries are here for you.

Visit the Delaware County Libraries’ “Celebrating National Library Week” web page to learn more.

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