Happy Labor Day from Delaware County Council

Delaware County wishes our residents a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Labor Day is a day for us to reflect upon, and pay tribute to, the contributions and achievements of American workers, across the country and here in Delaware County.

Traditionally observed on the first Monday of September, this holiday was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. 

Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer, the beginning of school for our children, and a time to prepare for the upcoming winter months.

As a reminder, the Delaware County Courthouse and Government Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5 in observance of the holiday.

Delaware County’s September 11th Day of Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by County Council and the District Attorney will be held on Friday, September 9th at 11:00 a.m. in Rose Tree Park. 

This year, we will once again gather at the 911 Memorial in Rose Tree Park to reflect and remember the heroes lost as a result of the attacks on September 11th, to honor the County’s First Responders who have died in the line of duty, and give thanks to those who continue to serve and protect our community.

September 11th changed our world forever. We will never forget that tragic day, when almost 3,000 men, women, and children were taken from us in a cruel, violent terrorist attack on our land. We invite you to join us in Rose Tree Park to honor these heroes. 

As of August 31, 2022, the FDA has approved the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster shots. The bivalent booster shot consists of half of the original COVID-19 vaccine formulation developed to provide protection against the original strain, and half of a new formulation developed specifically to combat Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5.

Bivalent booster shots are currently available in select pharmacies in Delaware County. Please check the Federal website at www.vaccines.gov for the most up-to-date appointment availability in the Delaware County area.

Bivalent booster shots are not yet available through the Delaware County Health Department but are expected to be available at Delaware County COVID 19 vaccination clinics soon. Please visit DCHD’s website at delcopa.gov/vax for updates.

Bivalent booster shots will be available from both Moderna and Pfizer manufacturers. Patients are recommended to continue to receive the vaccine they started the series with. If the vaccine product previously administered cannot be determined, is no longer available or contraindicated, other age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.

Those who originally received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine can choose to continue with either Moderna or Pfizer and should proceed with that selection going forward. The first booster can be received two months after the primary immunization series and then the second booster four months later. Age and immunocompromised status may play a part in determining eligibility; Moderna bivalent booster vaccine will be available to those 18+, Pfizer bivalent booster vaccine will be available to those 12+. 

Further information on eligibility can be found in the Press Announcements section of the FDA website, accessible at www.fda.gov/news-events/fda-newsroom/press-announcements, or by contacting the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line by phone at (484) 276-2100 or by email at DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.

Delaware County Breaks Ground on New Playground in Upland Park

Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Schaefer joined Director of Parks and Recreation Marc Manfre, Upland Mayor William Dennon, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, members from the Upland Hurricane Football Team, and various elected officials to break ground on the future site of a playground and field on August 31 in Upland Park.  

“Delaware County Council is committed to the preservation of our parks and expanding open space for residents to enjoy,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Schaefer. “Open space protects a community's natural green infrastructure, providing places for recreation, preserving important environmental and ecological functions, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Green spaces such as parks, sports fields, and wooded areas give residents the space for physical activity and relaxation. Green space greatly adds to our quality of life and promotes economic prosperity."

The new playground will include features for children of all ages and abilities, with separate areas for younger and older children, and will include sensory activities for those with special needs. Playgrounds are shown to be important for the development of children in many ways, and offer emotional, social, mental, and physical benefits to children of all ages. They also help children work on fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and coordination.

 The project also includes a new natural-grass playing field with a full-size football field. The field can also accommodate other sports such as soccer and lacrosse. State-of-the-art sports lighting will be installed to allow for nighttime use. A paved walking path will circle the perimeter of the field and playground area for residents to enjoy.

“We are extremely excited to invest in this playground as well as other open space across the county,” said Schaefer. “It's a very smart investment that will benefit our residents and attract visitors.”

This year, the County’s capital budget includes outdoor recreation facilities improvements at three County-owned parks: Little Flower, Rose Tree Park, and Upland Park with grant support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Office of Housing and Community Development.

“Open space, playgrounds, and athletic fields add to the quality of life for residents and are an investment in our youth,” said Delaware County Parks and Recreation Director Marc Manfre. “Thank you to County Council, members of the County team, and various partners for working to bring this exciting project to fruition. We are excited to open the park next fall!”

Covering nearly 60 scenic acres, Upland Park is the fourth largest County Park and there is immense potential for redevelopment and re-purposing within the County’s Park system. In total, the County is investing $1.6 million to upgrade Upland County Park.

Phase 1 of the project will include new playground structures, benches, rubberized safety surfacing, landscaping, sidewalk and pathways, and signage.

Phase 2 of the project will include the installation of a new multipurpose sports field, lighting, and walking path. The walking path will be constructed to manage stormwater on site and is the first of its kind in the county. 

Phase 3 of the project will include investments at the Redwood Senior Center in 2023 to replace the roof and complete structural renovations.

The improvements planned align with the recommendations listed in the 2015 Master Plan created by the Delaware County Planning Commission. The concept of the Upland County Park Site Development Plan is to build the park into not only a cornerstone of the Delaware County Park system but to create a self-sustaining regional recreation hub and destination within Delaware County and Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The renovations are expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.

During the Aug. 17 public meeting, Delaware County Council voted unanimously to approve an agreement with the Broomall Lake Country Club that successfully resolves a 42-year issue related to a dispute between the County, the Borough of Media, and the Broomall’s Lake County Club over the appropriate usage of several acres of land adjacent to the sensitive Glen Providence Park and the possible rebuilding of a long-condemned dam that had once served as a bridge for vehicular traffic along 3rd Street in Media.

The dam, built in 1883 to create a small lake for locals to harvest ice for produce and later becoming the centerpiece for The Media Swimming and Rowing Club (created in 1919 and re-named the Broomall’s Lake Country Club in 1967), was declared unsafe by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1980 and closed by the Borough to traffic in 1996.

Over the years that followed, a number of actions taken by Media Borough, the County, Broomall’s Lake County Club, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and several local civic organizations lawsuits resulted in an impasse that affected the viability of the club, the health of the County’s Glen Providence Park, and threatened to absorb millions of taxpayer dollars in litigation and contested actions.

“This has been a quagmire,” said Councilman Kevin Madden, referring to decades of litigation and disagreements. “So, I want to thank the Broomall Lake Country Club and I appreciate their willingness to work towards a resolution,” adding “And I want to thank the folks who have cared deeply about this issue, who have cared about Glenn Providence Park and its preservation, particularly Terry Rumsey and Robin Lasersohn Co-founders of Keep Media Green, and Stephanie Gaboriault, President of Friends of Glen Providence Park. You should be proud of your leadership on this issue, and I appreciate the education you gave all of us on this issue.”

According to the agreement championed by County Council and negotiated by County Solicitor’s Office under the direction of Bill Martin, a conservation agreement has been put in place on four acres adjacent to the location of the dam site and adjacent to Glen Providence Park that will end the dispute, end considerations for rebuilding the dam, and preserve the green space as a natural buffer for the park. 

While Broomall’s Lake Country Club will remain the private owner of the four acres, they will be compensated $650,000, in part to address remediation costs related to the breached dam, and in part as an agreement to refrain from the development of the land. The funds are expected to ultimately come from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

“I view this as a victory for everyone involved, and we’re improving the quality of life for everyone in this area with this investment,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Schafer, who along with Councilman Madden, has been cited as the driving force behind the agreement.

“Thank you, immensely, to this County Council, particularly Council members Schaefer and Madden, for your commitment, persistence, and resolve to address this 42-year-old issue,” said Stephanie Gaboriault, President of Friends of Glen Providence Park during the meeting, adding “You did it without rebuilding an unnecessary dam, which would have destroyed part of Glen Providence Park… and this [easement] protects the park’s trees, wetland and stream and all of the native plants and wildlife.”

Marc Manfre, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department, was also cited for his efforts leading to the agreement, explaining that in 2019 the Borough of Media was under order to rebuild the dam but that Mr. Manfre refused to sign off on a letter that was required to move the construction forward. “He followed his conscience, and that action led to a pause in the project and the agreement made here today,” said Ms. Gaboriault.

In addition to preserving the land and ending the possible construction of the dam, the agreement also extends the County’s parking arrangement with the club for another 10 years, which provides overflow parking for jurors and county employees and that has been renewed on a yearly basis.

Council was honored to participate in the 2nd annual Overdose Awareness Vigil, hosted by Senator John Kane and Senator Tim Kearney on August 31. Elected officials, leaders of Drug and Alcohol Treatment organizations, and members of the community gathered on the steps of the Delaware County Courthouse to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day.

Annually, August 31 is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day—a day designated to remember those we've lost too soon from overdose deaths. 

During the event, we took time to personally remember and honor the Delaware County residents who have lost their lives to an overdose. We also heard testimonials from loved ones who have lost family members due to overdose, and stories of triumph from people, including Senator Kane, who were able to overcome their addiction and are now in recovery.

The tragedy of drug overdose is far too frequent in today’s world, but it is important to remember that overdose is preventable. We commend the County Departments and staff, the Grassroots organizations, and community members who work each day to raise awareness, prevent drug use, and foster recovery. Council remains committed to the prevention of substance use in our community and to fostering recovery. 

Delco residents urged to take steps to prepare for a disaster or emergency

Delaware County Council, the County’s Department of Emergency Services, and the Delaware County Citizen Corps are joining the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in recognizing September as National Preparedness Month—a monthlong nationwide campaign sponsored each September by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools and workplaces. 

The theme for the 2022 National Emergency Preparedness Month — “A Lasting Legacy: The life you've built is worth protecting” — stresses the importance of individuals and families preparing for the unexpected to ensure the resiliency of their home, their family, and their community.

Over the last several years, Delaware County has seen first-hand the importance of preparation for emergencies and disasters. First responders, police dispatchers, and the staff at the Emergency Services Center are tested every day as they manage the response for hundreds of calls.

Council encourages all residents to take simple steps to prepare themselves and their families for the unexpected.

To help prepare, residents can sign up for the Ready, Set, Check! campaign, which is available on the Ready PA website at www.ready.pa.gov/BeInvolved/NPM/Pages/default.aspx. By signing up, residents will receive tips and tools via a Ready PA monthly email, entry into the random drawing for a Ready PA starter kit (which includes a windup solar radio/phone charger and a variety of preparedness materials) as well as a downloadable copy of the Ready, Set, Check! card. 

The Ready, Set, Check! card is an indispensable resource in the time of an emergency, providing guidance for residents to prepare a variety of events, including fires, floods, sink holes, tornados; links to key organizations and reminders regarding how to stay connected and in communication during a disaster, and the ability to personalize the card with the names and contact information for doctors, insurance, veterinarians.

More information on National Emergency Preparedness Month, including tool kits and materials in Spanish, can be found online at www.ready.gov/september.

Residents can also bolster their preparedness with direct assistance from the Department of Emergency Services by attending an Emergency Preparedness Education session—or by requesting an on-site presentation for their community, faith, or business organization—at no cost by contacting the department at (610) 565-8700.

The following Emergency Preparedness Education opportunities are scheduled for September:

• Tuesday, Sep. 6, 10 a.m. | Swarthmore Public Library, 121 Park Ave, Swarthmore 
• Thursday, Sep. 8, 12 noon. | Sellers Memorial Library, 76 S. State Rd Upper Darby
• Tuesday, Sep. 13, 5 p.m. | Yeadon Public Library, 809 Longacre Blvd, Yeadon
• Wednesday, Sep. 14, 1 p.m. | Springfield Public Library, 70 Powell Rd, Springfield

Residents can also prepare for emergencies by registering with the DelcoAlert notification system. This system provides residents with short, timely emergency notices regarding storms, Amber alerts, and other breaking events via text or email directly to their phone or mobile device. To register, go to delcopa.gov/delcoalert. 

Residents can also help prepare themselves and their community for emergencies by volunteering for the Delaware County Citizen Corps or the Medical Reserve Corps. More information is available at www.delcocitizencorps.org. Volunteers will be provided with several hours of free training and all materials necessary to help serve the community. 

The Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Delco ERA) is approaching 100% expenditure of its allocation of $78,397,830 in ERA 1 and 2 funds and is on track to fund 11,500 grants to low-income renters experiencing housing instability. Based on the current rate of processing applications, the program will wind down at the end of September.

The application window for Delco ERA will close on Saturday, September 10 at 4:00 p.m. and Delco ERA will no longer accept new or subsequent assistance registrations after that date. Grant applications received before September 10 will continue to be processed with remaining funds available. 

Residents can contact the DELCO ERA program for assistance by phone at (484) 729-4200 or by email at info@delco-era.com.

More details can be found on the Delaware County website.

Library cards fuel academic success and empower students and adults

September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when each of the 26 independent member libraries of Delaware County join the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries unite together in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card.

In 2022, Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel (Frozen, Wicked) and her sister, author and educator Cara Mentzel, will serve as the 2022 honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month. Idina and Cara are excited to remind everyone that one of the best places to find your voice is at the library. 

“Our libraries play a critical role in the education and development of children, a creative place where young people can explore and yes, start to find their voice,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “As a mother of three, I’m grateful for the resources they provide and I’m continuously amazed by the creative programs and excellent services offered to children and individuals of all ages.” 

Throughout September, libraries across Delaware County will host a variety of fun Library Card Sign-up activities, including library card drives, Back to School storytime, Flight of the Bumblebee storytime, a Walking Taco Party, a raffle for new and renewing cardholders, and DelcoReads mobile app demonstrations. A comprehensive list of these activities can be found on the Delaware County Libraries Event Calendar. 

“A library card opens up a world of opportunity,” Catherine Bittle, Director of Delaware County Libraries,” said Delaware County Libraries Director Catherine Bittle, adding: “A library is a place where residents of any age can become a lifelong learner.” 

In addition to reading materials, residents can find a wide variety of educational resources and activities, including eBooks, STEM activities, history programs, demo videos, exercise classes, history lectures, Book Clubs, Genealogy Workshops, painting classes, museum passes, early literacy programs and virtual homework help, and more—all available by signing up for a library card! 

To sign up for a library card, or to learn more about our resources and programs, please complete the online card application linked below, or visit any Delaware County Library location to apply in person. 

Delaware County Govt Official 2022 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website