The Delaware County Weekly

Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!

—— February 17, 2023 (56th edition) ——

Delaware County Residents Invited to Share Feedback and Ideas on Delco’s New Park!

As many residents know, the County is in the planning stages for the County’s newest park and the Delco team is extremely excited!

The County’s newest and largest park, which hasn’t been named yet, will be located on the former Don Guanella School site near Reed and Sproul Roads in Marple Township. The future park—site is one of Delco’s largest forests—consists of 213 acres of woodlands and wetlands and is home to many wildlife species.

The creation of a park on the Don Guanella tract is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create an open and accessible public space that will provide immediate and ongoing economic, environmental, and quality of life benefits to the Delaware County community.

“As we plan for the future of the County’s largest park, we invite residents of all ages from across the county to share their ideas on how we can create a destination park and open space that will benefit all residents,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We want to hear from residents of all backgrounds and from all corners of our County so that we can create an extraordinary park that will engage our wonderfully diverse population and become a beloved destination for all of Delco!”

Pop-Up Open Houses

The County is holding two Pop-Up Open Houses to get feedback and ideas from residents.

Residents are invited to share their concept ideas for the new park, complete a survey to document feedback, and learn where we are in the process and what to expect next. There will also be a Children’s Corner to hear from our youngest residents about what they would love to experience at the park.

Tues., Feb. 21, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Chester City Hall, 1 East 4th St., Chester, PA
Wed., Feb. 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Upper Chichester Community Center, 1950 Market St., Boothwyn, PA

No registration required. All residents are welcome!

New Park Survey

The County has also launched a public opinion survey to find out what residents would like to have in the new park.

Click the survey button below or go to DelcoPa.gov/NewParkSurvey.

Take Delco's New Park Survey

Information provided by residents at our open houses and via the survey will be used in developing the park master plan. Delaware County’s planning team of Toole Recreation Planning, JMT, Natural Lands and Urban Partners is collaborating with County officials in developing the master plan with the draft expected in the Spring of 2023.

Learn more about the County’s new park and upcoming community engagement plans at DelcoPa.gov/NewPark.

Celebrating Black History Month with Students in Delco!

Delaware County Councilman Kevin Madden and Councilwoman Christine Reuther were honored to read to students in recognition of Black History Month this past week.

The guest readings are part of Council’s initiative to celebrate Black History in February and all year-long.

Councilwoman Reuther read to 3rd and 5th Graders at Grace Park Elementary School in Ridley Township on Feb. 13 and spoke to the students about the important role history plays in teaching valuable lessons and also understanding the struggles that led to the legacies of Black leaders such as Harriet Tubman and Jesse Owens, who were featured in the book selections.

Councilman Kevin Madden visited Stetser Elementary School in Chester on Feb. 15 and read Voice of Freedom, Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ekua Holmes.

Fannie Lou Hamer, a granddaughter of enslaved people and a child of sharecroppers in the Mississippi Delta, was a major voice of the civil rights movement. Jailed and brutally beaten for demanding service at whites-only café in Winona, Mississippi, in the early 1960s, Ms. Hamer rose to become a community activist and a national spokesperson for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, participated in sit-ins, rallies, and voter education trainings, marched with Dr. Martin Luther, cofounded the National Women’s Political Caucus, and helped start the Head Start preschool program.

It was a pleasure meeting all of the bright, young students, teachers and staff at Grace Park and Stetser Elementary Schools!

Numerous Black History Month tributes and events are being held throughout the County this month. Learn more by visiting our Black History Month web page.

Visit our Black History Month page

The Delaware County Health Department to Offer Free Blood Pressure Screenings in Recognition of Black History Month

On February 24, 2023, the Delaware County Health Department, in partnership with Main Line Health and in recognition of Black History Month, will be hosting free blood pressure screenings.

Delaware County residents are welcome to attend an open house at the Yeadon Wellness Center located at 125 Chester Avenue, in Yeadon, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon.

No appointments are necessary. Screenings will be conducted on a walk-in, first come first serve basis.

“High blood pressure is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke in the United States and very common in Delaware County,” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “The concerning fact about high blood pressure is that it usually comes with little or no symptoms. The only way for residents to know if they have high blood pressure is to get screened. Thanks to our partners at Main Line Health, Delaware County residents have an opportunity to prevent health issues like heart disease and stroke.”

The CDC notes that high blood pressure affects nearly 1 in 2 adults in the United States. This condition, also known as the “silent killer,” increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure is more common in non-Hispanic Black adults (54%) than in non-Hispanic White adults (46%), non-Hispanic Asian adults (39%), or Hispanic adults (36%).

The Delaware County Health Department encourages residents to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about heart health and attend this blood pressure health check.

The Delaware County Health Department Reminds Residents About a Free Hands-Only CPR Training Opportunity

The Delaware County Health Department, the Delaware County Citizen Corps and Keystone First will be offering two free Hands-Only CPR classes at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center located at 1929 W. 9 St. in Chester.

The Hands-Only CPR classes are scheduled for Fri., Feb. 24, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Spanish instructors will be on hand.

Registration for this training opportunity is required. Delaware County residents interested in attending these in person classes can register via the button below.

Residents who need assistance registering can reach out to the Delaware County Wellness Line by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us or by phone at (484) 276-2100.

“It is crucial to get CPR training before it is too late. A matter of minutes could be the difference in saving a life. Through this training, residents can learn to help a family member, neighbor, or fellow Delaware County resident who might need life-saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR),” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon.

CPR is an emergency procedure that can help save a person’s life if their breathing or heart stops. When a person’s heart stops beating, they are in cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump blood to the rest of the body, including the brain and lungs. CPR uses chest compressions to mimic how the heart pumps. These compressions help keep blood flowing throughout the body and can save lives.

If CPR is performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, CPR can drastically improve a person’s chance of survival.

Black Public Health Pioneer of the Week

The Delaware County Health Department is celebrating Black History Month by recognizing Delaware County Black Public Health Pioneers!

Each week in February, DCHD will detail the careers and accomplishments of a Delaware County Black public health community member and showcase how their work has benefitted community health for the residents of Delaware County.

This week, we are excited to present Gwendolyn A. Smith, RN, MBA, MS, MSM as our next Delaware County Black Public Health Pioneer.

Congratulations Gwendolyn!

Mrs. Gwendolyn Smith

Click to read more!

Mrs. Gwendolyn A. Smith, RN, MBA, MS, MSM

After attending the University of Delaware’s nursing program Mrs. Gwen realized that health education and prevention were the keys to improving healthcare. As a nurse, she felt it was her responsibility to educate the community on various health issues and realized that for those who did not come to hospitals, churches were a great outlet for reaching those in need of health education.

With more experience and as Mrs. Gwen worked her way up through the Crozer Hospital system she also found herself educating and mentoring other nurses on providing patients with the knowledge needed to improve their own health.

Mrs. Gwen became the President of Crozer Keystone Health Systems (CKHS) Springfield Hospital in 1997, Vice President of CKHS Community Health in 1999, and has earned a long and distinguished list of professional associations, affiliations, and board memberships.

The Inaugural Delco Winter Makers Market Debuts President’s Day Weekend

Complimentary Ice-Skating Passes for Children 12 and Under

This weekend, the Delco River Rink and lower-level lobby of Harrah’s Philadelphia in Chester will be transformed into a festive “Winter Makers Market” with 30+ local makers and food trucks. The weekend-long all ages event will support Delco-based businesses and provide the community with family-friendly entertainment and shopping.

Admission is free.

Event attendees can dine, shop, sip, and skate all weekend long at the rain or shine indoor and outdoor street food and makers market showcasing Delaware County’s diverse entrepreneurial landscape and vibrant music, art, and cultural scene.

In addition, children 12 and under will receive complimentary ice-skating passes and enjoy a kids’ zone mascots on ice, and adults will enjoy live entertainment & DJs, and other contests and giveaways.

Although skating passes are free, there is a fee to rent skates. Participants are welcome to bring their own skates.

Event Details:

Delco Winter Makers Market

President’s Day Weekend

Sat., Feb. 18 and Sun., Feb 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Participating food truck vendors include:

Shugar Shack, The Frosting Lounge, East Coast Mini Donuts, Family Funnel Kake, Calaveras Street Taco, Rollin' Phatties BBQ Smokeshack, Poundcake Heaven

Participating entertainment/shops include:

Flight Entertainment, Schaffer Sound, Be Good Buddy, Keyco, Yeureka Home Remodeling, BathKafe Soapery, Sophie's Candle Shop, Twin Element, Holland & Milan Organics LLC, Renewal by Anderson, Boutik Angelik Body LLC, Kid's Kreate Art LLC, Confidently Me Boutique, Delco Balloon, Sophisticated Accessories, Melted Moments By B & Co., European Wax Center, Nasir Chandler's Art Gallery

While general admission is free, there are also limited VIP packages available for purchase, including a first-in-line shopping & skating hour from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, two skating passes with rentals ($35 value & valid until 2/26/23), complimentary food truck vouchers, a mystery swag bag, plus entry into a 'Tier 1 Makers Raffle' for even bigger prizes.

For more information about the event, purchasing a VIP package, or reserving skate rentals in advance, visit the Flight on Ice's Maker's Market website.

Visit the Delco Winter Makers Market Website

Reminder: February 23 Deadline for Delaware County Board Openings

Delaware County is seeking board members for several County boards including:

Heritage Commission
Delaware County Parks Board
Delaware County Authority
Delaware County Housing Authority
Delaware County Redevelopment Authority
SEPTA Citizens Advisory Board

Applications for all Boards will be accepted through 4:00 p.m. on Thurs., Feb. 23.

WHAT DO BOARDS DO?

Although the responsibilities and goals differ from one board to another, board members play a critical role in establishing oversight, defining the board’s mission and vision, improving the board’s focus and effectiveness, shaping the County’s culture, serving stakeholders, establishing and updating policies, setting goals, and measuring the board’s performance based on those goals.

Delaware County encourages interested residents who can contribute their time, energy, and passion, to complete the brief online application. Applicants must provide their name, address, contact information, current employer/occupation, a brief explanation as to why they are interested in serving on a particular Board, and attach an up-to-date resume.

DETAILS REGARDING BOARD OPENINGS

Heritage Commission

Location: Government Center Building, Media

Openings: 3 vacancies (these terms end in Sep. '23, Sep. '24, and Sep. '25)

Application Deadline: Thurs., Feb 23, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Delaware County Parks Board

Location: Hunt Club Building, 1521 N. Providence Road, Media

Openings: 7 vacancies (2 vacancies ending March '25, 5 vacancies ending March '26)

Application Deadline: Thurs., Feb 23, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Delaware County Authority