SEPTEMBER 2024

PINE CREEK PARK PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISER

Help Us Build a Playground for Our Children's Future

For over three decades, the playground at Pine Creek Park on Yellow Springs Road has been a mainstay in Chester Springs. A generation has made their way across the monkey bars, jumped off high flying swings, and slid down the tan slide.

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However, it is time to replace our aging playground.

West Pikeland Township is focused on providing a play area that includes:

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Separate play areas for toddlers and older children

ADA accessible swing set

STEM activity table

State of the art safety features

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While outside grants, donations from key township residents, and financial commitments from the township are extensive, they are not enough to cover the estimated $300,000 cost of the new playground. We currently need to raise $63,000 to reach our goal.

In order to receive our grant money awarded, the township must provide the reminder of the funds towards the cost of the new playground. If successful, construction will begin in Spring 2025.

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Here's how you can help:

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Donate $50,000 and receive naming rights for the playground

Donate $10,000 for a personalized bench next to the playground

Donate $500 and have your name placed on our donor board

Donate any amount you are comfortable donating

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Donations are tax deductible and will remain in a separate “playground account” at West Pikeland Township; the funds will be used solely for playground renovation and development.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

West Pikeland Township currently has several openings on our committees. We are searching for residents who are looking for volunteer opportunities in their township.

OPENINGS:

Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) Alternate

Historic Commission/Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) Member

West Pikeland Land Trust (WPLT) Member

No experience is necessary, however, a background in engineering, construction or real estate is a plus, and you must be a township resident.

PARK AND RECREATION NEWS

FREE YOGA IN THE PARK

Join us at Pine Creek Park for our fall installment of Yoga in the Park every Saturday morning at 9am now through September 28, 2024.

Bring your mat and a water bottle. Pine Creek Park is located at 1488 Yellow Springs Road.

Sponsored by the Chester Springs Library and the West Pikeland Township Parks and Recreation Committee.

SUMMER IN THE PARK

Each summer, the Chester Springs Library and West Pikeland Township Parks and Recreation Committee sponsor a series of events at the pavilion in Pine Creek Park. The series concluded with a visit from Mother Goose.

We hope to see you next summer for another round of educational entertainment for your family!

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL NEWS

AUTUMN OLIVE REMOVAL AT PINE CREEK PARK

When: Sunday, September 8 (Rain date of Sunday, Sept 15)

Time: Starts at 1pm 

Location: Pine Creek Park, 1488 Yellow Springs Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425

Project Description: West Pikeland EAC and Parks and Rec are partnering on a project to remove and treat Autumn Olive shrubs from a 200 ft riparian area bordering a large native tree planting in the park. The volunteer effort will focus on cutting the shrubs to the ground and hauling the branches to a staging area to be removed the following day by the township Public Works staff.

These large shrubs vary in size and so we are asking volunteers to come prepared with tools, gloves, and protective eye wear. Master Watershed Stewards are prohibited from using gas powered tools but reciprocating saws, loppers, and other similar tools are okay. 

The project will take a few hours to complete but is essential work to rid this area of these invasive shrubs! Thank you so much for your support in getting this project completed! Please email Sarah Newman if you are interested.

CONTROLLING JAPANESE STILTGRASS

Is your yard being swamped by Japanese Stiltgrass? This delicate, bright green plant forms a dense groundcover that smothers most native plants and prevents regeneration of fields and forests.

Stiltgrass probably arrived from East Asia around 1919, as packing material for Chinese porcelain. It is extremely aggressive: it can produce up to 1,000 seeds per plant, spreads easily, and even releases chemicals from its root system that change the composition of the soil and inhibit other plants from growing!

This noxious plant is a real challenge and requires smart and continuous management, either by hand-pulling (hard!), weed whacking down to ground level, or by application of a weak grass-specific herbicide.

To read more about this plant and how to eradicate bothersome infestations here

For a real drill-down on the issues, watch this video: Blue Ridge PRISM Summer 2022 Meeting: Simply Stiltgrass. 

Remember that most of these control methods ideally require action before early September, before plants go to seed

SUSTAINABLE SATURDAY

September 21 @ 10:30am



Join us at the Chester Springs Library (1709 Art School Road, Chester Springs) to learn more about installing a solar and battery backup system in your home. After a brief introduction at the library the group will caravan to a resident’s home to see a system in operation.

Join the Environmental Advisory Council as they present an ongoing event series, Sustainable Saturdays, April through September 2024. At these events, township residents can learn about sustainable systems for their homes by attending several speaker series at either the township building or the Chester Springs Library. In addition, attendees will be able to visit various West Pikeland Township resident’s homes for demonstrations of sustainable systems. This series will occur throughout the summer as residents and experts share their knowledge on creating a sustainable home. Sponsored by the EAC and Chester Springs Library

Sustainable Saturdays through the summer will highlight what some Township residents have done to reduce their energy consumption and save money. The residents will give an introductory talk at the Chester Springs Library and then take the group to their home to see the ideas and systems in practice.

HISTORIC YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS

3RD ANNUAL YELLOW SPRINGS VILLAGE OPEN HOUSE AND FALL FESTIVAL

Join us in the village on Sunday, October 20 from 12 – 4 pm, rain or shine!

Welcome the spirit of autumn and save the date for the highly anticipated third annual Village Open House on October 20, 2024! Explore the charming village of Yellow Springs and it’s unique 300+ year history, while indulging in a delightful array of fall activities for visitors of all ages. This event is free and open to the public.

Activities Include:

• Village Tours
• Yellow Springs Great Pumpkin Classic
• Live Music From The Manatawny Creek Ramblers
• Haunted History House
• Glow For Good Jack-O-Lantern Exhibition
• Pumpkin Painting
• Trick-or-Treating
• Food and Beverage Vendors
• Artist Demonstrations
• Games, And More!

Hosted by Historic Yellow Springs and West Pikeland Township

Fall Art Classes  

Monday, September 9th – Friday, November 15th  

Painting, drawing, ceramics & more for all ages!  

REGISTER HERE

HYS Members’ Show 

September 14 – 22 • Open daily 10 am – 4 pm • Free admission 

Meeting information, including agendas, can be found on our website

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

By: Nancy Niggel, Library Director

You don’t need a library card to take part in any of our programs, but you do need one to borrow material, use the online resources, and download from our fabulous collection of e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. Sign-up for a library card this month. They are free, and we’ll make it even sweeter by giving you an ice cream sundae while supplies last. Stop in or apply ONLINE, Chester Springs Library is the best bargain you’ll ever find.

Thanks for making Summer Reading great. You helped read more than 280,000 minutes in only nine weeks, and kids earned an incredible 100 Patch Power badges this year. Many thanks to everyone who donated prizes for the End of Summer Prize Raffle; more than 2,300 tickets were entered and over 100 prizes of all sizes were awarded.

Check out our September events calendar HERE. Highlights include:

Saturdays, August 24 - September 28, 9AM: Fall Yoga in the Park – Free adult yoga classes at Pine Creek Park brought to you by the library and West Pikeland Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee. 1488 Yellow Springs Road, West Pikeland.

September 3, 10AM - 1PM: Kristine Howard’s Satellite Office to assist you with state-related matters. Seniors sign-up for a SEPTA Key Card and ride for free. Bring your current PA ID.

September 6, 1:30PM – Adults discover Gelli printing with Miss Nancy. Register HERE.

September 3 - September 7: Grandparents’ Day Cards – Make a card for someone special during regular library hours this week.

September 9, 10:30AM: Story times begin. Mondays and Fridays for all ages, and 24 months and under on Wednesdays.

September 18, 1:30PM: School age students discover Gelli printing with Miss Rebecca. Register HERE.

September 24, 10:30AM: MakinMusic for young children. Shake your sillies out!



Are you signed up to receive our electronic newsletter? Don’t miss anything happening at this library. Sign up HERE and you’ll get our events and news delivered to your inbox each month beginning in September.

Help the Friends of the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library restock the Book Nook! 

Bring DONATIONS to the library on Fri Sep 6 and Sat Sep 7.

Details & hours here: Fri Sep 6: https://ccls.libcal.com/event/13026191

Sat Sep 7: https://ccls.libcal.com/event/13026292

ALERT FROM THE CHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Attention Chester County residents!

Since early March, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 complaints about a new smishing scam targeting E-ZPass owners. Scammers are sending out fake texts claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls. The message may look something like this:

"We've noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance"

The text includes a link that looks like the PA Turnpike E-Z Pass website, but is designed to steal your personal information. If you receive one of these texts, you should do the following:



1. Do NOT click any links in the text message

2. File a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov and be sure to include the phone number the text came from and the website listed.

3. Check your account using the official PA Turnpike E-Z Pass website

4. Contact customer service using the PA Turnpike's official phone number

5. Delete any smishing texts immediately.

6. Secure your personal and financial accounts and dispute any unfamiliar charges.

Stay informed and stay safe!