Willis Run Press Release

From: Michael Helfrich
Time Stamp 1/11/2005 10:08:42 AM



PRESS RELEASE

Contact Person: Michael R Helfrich, President, Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership
Telephone: 717.848.1900
Email: codoruscreek@hotmail.com

Friday, December 17, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHOTO ATTACHED: Volunteers from Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership begin planting of habitat along Wood St. Over 150 new shrubs and trees were added in only four hours. Shown from left to right are: Leanne Ferree, Terrence Price, Drew Wiltsie, Carl Bisking, Michael Helfrich, and Matthew Leisses. Photo taken by Dale Wiltsie.

Partners Flock to Restore Willis Run

From a simple request by North York Borough and the York City Public Works Departments to look at what could be done to improve Willis Run, a major community project has blossomed.

Various groups were already contemplating what they could do with their sections of interest along this urban stream. The PA and York Audobon Societies were working to protect habitat for the rare and endangered birds nesting at Kiwanis Lake, a manmade lake in Willis Run. The York County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and the Pennsylvania Ornithological Society, with the leadership of the PA Game Commission's Chad Eyler, were organizing habitat improvements around the lake. A teacher imagined a Living Classroom for her students at Ferguson Elementary, a short distance downstream of Kiwanis Lake. York City and North York were interested in reducing erosion and improving the aesthetics of the run. And the Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership thought all these interests could be coordinated into one urban stream renewal project.

In four short months these partners, and more, have come together to support York's first urban stream restoration project. When all the different interests were looked at, two components came to the forefront. Education and vegetation were the keys.

Vegetation not only increases habitat for the endangered birds, but also stabilizes the erosion that can threaten homes and roads. More than two thousand new native trees and shrubs will be added along Willis Run.

Education is the key to maintaining this unique wild place in the City of York. Students from York City, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and many others will invest themselves by assisting with the planting. PA Audobon Society will supply educational markers, including dedications to Al Spiese and Robert Erb, Sr., two local bird enthusiasts that passed away this year.

This week the York County Community Foundation added their support with a grant from the Codorus Watershed Endowment. This $3300 grant to the Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership will be used to coordinate the efforts of all the partners. The present list of partners includes: American Rivers, Aquatic Resource Restoration Company, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, City of York, Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership, Codorus Creek Watershed Association, Izaak Walton League, North York Borough, PA Audobon Society, PA Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Ornithological Society, the Watershed Alliance of York, York County Community Foundation, York County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, and the York County Planning Commision.

The expected cost of the project is about $50,000, but 90 percent of that cost is be contributed in services from the partners such as free plants and engineering. No money from York City or York County taxes will be used for this community improvement. Comments or questions can be addressed to Michael R Helfrich at Codorus Creek Improvement Partnership, 717-848-1900.