Conservation Education Recreation Preservation Tourism

2014 Annual Report Our Friends 2014 Congressional Delegation United States Senators Robert P. Casey June 2015 Patrick Toomey Dear Friends, United States Representatives We are pleased to present the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s Robert Brady 2014 Annual Report. Please take a few moments to look through Chaka Fattah James Gerlach this document. You will see 2014 was another successful year Matthew Cartwright Joseph R. Pitts for us, filled with cycling and paddling events, Schuylkill River Patrick Meehan Trail projects, book signings, educational programs, grant awards and more. We invest a great deal of time and energy into these Commonwealth of projects and programs because we know that the Schuylkill River Governor Thomas Corbett is important. It provides drinking water to 1.5 million people; its PA Department of Conservation and scenic waterfronts bolster the economies of river communities, Natural Resources and its greenways, trails and waters are recreational destinations. Ellen Ferretti, Secretary The river is a shared commons that links us to our nation’s history, and joins together 3.2 million people across five counties who live in its watershed. Staff Executive Director ...... Kurt D. Zwikl With a small staff of six employees and one AmeriCorps VISTA Dolores Bauman Tim Fenchel volunteer, the Schuylkill River Heritage Area works tirelessly to Laura Catalano Cindy Kott promote the region. As you read through our annual report keep Robert Folwell Victoria Garrick (VISTA) in mind that all the programs we manage—the bike rides, the Consulting Engineer Dwight R. Powell, P.E. art show, the paddling events, the trail projects—are carefully Trail Volunteer Coordinators Greg Marshall designed to encourage stewardship of our environment and make Jason Stoudt this region a better place for everyone who lives and works here. Solicitor Carl J. Engleman, Jr., Esq

2014 Board of Directors Sincerely, President Carl Raring Vice President Kay Sykora Treasurer Chrisann Hoehl Secretary Rob Kuhlman Kurt D. Zwikl Carl V. Raring Kelly Anderson Joshua Nims Executive Director President, Board of Directors David Coyne Leslie Rebmann Ted Danforth William Reichert Daniel J. Doran Mike Stokes Tina Fink Tom Strauss Nathaniel C. Guest Judy Thomas Kay Jones David Thun Rodger Krause Alberto Vennettilli Christopher Linn John A. Koury, Jr. (Immediate Past President) Ex-Officio David G. Argall, State Senator The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is dedicated to assisting William Hanley, Rep. Holden’s Office communities, organizations, and citizens of the Edward G. Schmid, Rep. Gerlach’s Office Schuylkill River region to preserve and sustain their cultural heritage and natural environment for future generations. DCNR Liaisons Drew Gilchrist Jeffrey Knowles NPS Liaison Edie Shean-Hammond Our Members Rebecca Abgott Peter Githens Steve McManus Col. Harry H. Reichner Mr. & Mrs. Lee E. Tabas Joan Aichele William D. Gladden Matthew McTish Sue Repko Jay H. Tarler Donna Allen Susan D. Gottschall Richard Melsheimer Sydne L. Romig David Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Allender Mr. & Mrs. Pete Goodman Isabel Melvin Fred Rosen Judith Thomas Berard Avella Robert Graves JoAnn Mikulsky F. M. Rothman Robert P. Thomas Rita Banning Frances Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Arthur P. Miller David Rouse Jim Thorne Marilyn Bartram Brian Gruber Don Moll Brian L. Rucco David Thun Richard A. Bausher Nora Haefele Steve Montgomery Linda Ruddick Nancy Tobias Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Bell Robert A. Hand Tom Moslak Mr. & Mrs. Steve Rutkowski Matthew Todd Daniel S. Bellesfield Ed Harlin Mr. & Mrs. Barry Richard L. Sassaman Cheri Towne Christopher Blackwall Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Hatt Muhlenberg Wendolyn Saville Candace Trace Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Blye Rina Hayashi John A. Muhlenberg Mr. & Mrs. Frederick H. Mr. & Mrs. William Trace Harvey J. Bomberger Mr. & Mrs. Robert Heck- Barbara Myers Schuetz Thomas C. Troutman Albert M. Boscov George Heffner Ethel Nelson James Showalter Nancy B. Unger Dan Boyer Steven Henderson Mark Nevenglosky David Sibley Donna Usavage James P. Brazel Douglas Henschel Hugh O’Hare Eloise Smyrl Mr. & Mrs. Duncan Van Elizabeth Breakell James Hilyard Robert J. O’Leary Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Snyder Dusen Charlene M. Brod Mr. & Mrs. Steve Hnath Peter J. Oswald Gina Snyder Mr. & Mrs. James Van Horn A. Michael Broennle Jonathan Hodgson Lou Ann Pacocha Ms. Eugenia Sowicz and Mr. Conrad Vanino Mr. & Mrs. David A. Brown David F. Hoeschele John F. Pearson George Schanzenbach Mr. Ben Warrington & Ms. Charles Buttz Neil A. Hoffman Mary V. Pendleton David Specht Katherine Gajewski Francis Carduff Robert G. Hoffman Patricia Pezely Pete Stanson Jill Warrington Robert S. Carl Mr. & Mrs. Bernard M. Mr. & Mrs. Hank Phillips Kim Stever John Weber Lucy J. Carroll Hofmann Juliann Pinto Michael Stokes Dr. Robert Westson Tom Carroll Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Hopkins Barbara L. Pollarine Mr. & Mrs. John Storb Wendi Wheeler James W. Castellan Anne Horosky Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Porter Sandra Sudofsky Agnes Wiedmann Dr. & Mrs. Joel L. Caves Stephen Hughes Mr. & Mrs. Allan Quant Gerald Sweeney Karen S. Williamson Edward Chisak Mr. & Mrs. John F. Hunt Carl V. Raring Brian D. Swisher Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mark Cholewa Kay Jones Steve Razzano Kay Sykora Witman Mr. & Mrs. Peter Christ Peter Joyce Leslie Rebmann John J. Symborski Rob Wolf Dr. & Mrs. Allan Cohen David T. Karst Mr. & Mrs. Garrett Bret Wrigley Lori Cole Hugh Kelly Redmond Allen J. Zimmerman David Coyne Kyle Kemp Richard W. Reiber Belinda Crane Suzanne Kent Mr. & Mrs. William Charles Crawford Mr. & Mrs. William Knight Reichert Richard Crosley William G. Koch Mr. & Mrs. Dan Daley David R. Kohler, Capt., Frances Dalton USN (Ret) Theodore S. Danforth John A. Koury Charles Day Rodger Krause Dennis DeFrancesco Paul Krepto E. Stewart Degler Laura Kruse Dennis DeMara Rob Kuhlman Anna Louise Detweiler Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Kuhns Dodson Dietrich Regina Kurrasch Mr. & Mrs. John Doering James A. Kurtz Daniel Doran Paul Kusko Michael D’Orazio Steven C. Landes Ray Dotter Mr. & Mrs. Carl Landis Ruth Dougherty David A. Lange Kent Edwards Patricia Lasseter Richard Egan Nancy Lawson Tina Ehrig Mr. & Mrs. John Lea Mr. & Mrs. James B. Elliott Judy Vehse Jay Erb Gerry Lenfest Scott Esslinger Mark Leschik Brandon Evans Kenneth Levan Johanna C. Fallon David Lewis Paul M. Felton Richard Lewis Mr. & Mrs. Robert Fisher Robert F. Loeper Mr. & Mrs. Dean Foster Harry F. Lorenz Hilary Fraley Mr. & Mrs. John Lysaght P. Richard Frantz Dr. & Mrs. Gerald Malick Regina Gargano Dr. Glen Marino Susan G. Garrett Charles N. Marshall Mairi C. Gauger Mr. & Mrs. Greg Marshall Diane Gaul Peter David Maynard Andrew Gilchrist Joseph McCormick Mary Ann Gindlesperger Edward McLaughlin A Look Back on the chuylkill iver eritage rea’s 2014 Achievements

At the Schuylkill River Heritage Area we are always working to fulfill our goals of using conservation, education, recreation, cultural and historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development. In this report, we’ve compiled a brief overview of some of the major projects and programs we engaged in for 2014. Pedaled Through Our National Parks. road route that leads to another off-road segment that was built In September, we held the Pedaling last year. Upon the future completion of another short section, Through Our National Parks Ride, the on and off-road trail will total 2.2 miles, and run from the third ride in our Schuylkill River Ontelaunee Township, through Leesport to Bern Township. It Trail Bike Tour Series. This terrific is one of the first pieces built along the Schuylkill River Trail’s two-day event incorporated a mix of critical 20-mile Reading to Hamburg gap. on-road and Schuylkill River Trail cycling with visits to three national Introduced a Unique Traveling Exhibit of Revolutionary parks: Hopewell National Historic War Illustrations. Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park, and Independence Bringing the War of Independence National Historical Park. Nearly 100 cyclists participated, to Life: 19th Century Illustrations pedaling about 30 miles per day and learning about each of of the American Revolution is the parks through tours and special programs. Like all rides in a unique exhibit featuring 42 the Bike Tour Series, Pedaling Through Our National Parks illustrations from the private highlights connections that can be made from the Schuylkill collection of Heritage Area River Trail to historic sites and visitor attractions. Executive Director Kurt Zwikl. All of the illustrations feature images of leaders, battles and key Led our 16th Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn. moments of the Revolutionary War. The exhibit was displayed Over 200 paddlers from 10 states at Valley Forge National Historical Park from February through and France participated in the 16th April, and was moved to Morristown National Historical Park Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn, and where it hung from June through August. 64 of them made the full 112-mile, seven-day journey from Schuylkill Expanded our Educational Program for At-Risk Students. Haven to . Programs at Last year, our VISTA volunteer developed the Schuylkill all lunch and evening stops celebrated Outdoor Leadership Odyssey (SOLO), a 10-week program that the Schuylkill as Pennsylvania’s 2014 connects at-risk urban 9th and 10th graders to the outdoors River of the Year, with presentations and environmental careers. This year, our new VISTA worker, on the river’s history, environment Victoria Garrick, expanded (SOLO) to three schools in and recreational opportunities. Over Reading, Womelsdorf, and Pottstown. SOLO engages students the years the popularity of our annual who have behavioral and learning impediments and works to Schuylkill River Sojourn has steadily increased. To date, the introduce them to careers in the environmental sciences and sojourn has introduced more than 3,000 registrants from 23 to fostering a sense of stewardship for the Schuylkill River states, Canada and France to paddling the river. Watershed. The mentor-based program is highlighted by a kayak trip on the river. Distributed Grants to Improve River Water Quality. We distributed over $337,000 in Schuylkill River Restoration Pedaled and Paddled. Fund grants to seven projects aimed at improving water quality in the Schuylkill River watershed. Since being established in 2006 through a public/private partnership, more than $2 million has been granted to 62 projects targeting stormwater, agricultural run-off and abandoned mine drainage. The 2014 grant announcement took place at tthe Cook Wissahickon School in Roxborough, site of a grant-funded meadow project Our Pedal and Paddle biking/kayaking adventures continue at that reduces stormwater run-off. to be among our most popular events. In 2014, we held four Pedal and Paddles, taking 60 people on a 4.5 mile ride along Expanded the Schuylkill River Trail. the Schuylkill River Trail in Pottstown, a tour of Historic We cut the ribbon on a new section of trail in Leesport that Morlatton Village and a return trip via kayak. This program will eventually connect to the larger Schuylkill River Trail. The advances our goal of connecting people to the river and the 1,843-foot long, gravel trail segment connects with a signed on- region through recreation. Held Our 11th Annual Art Show. For 11 years, the Annual Encouraged Tourism with Our Interpretive Center and Scenes of the Schuylkill Gateway Centers. River Heritage Area art show has served as a showcase for regional talent while drawing attention to the beauty and unique character of the river and the region. The 2014 show featured 82 original works, including Best of Show pastel (left) by Since opening in 2012, the River of Revolutions Interpretive artist Susan Williamson. The month-long exhibit was held at Center has introduced hundreds of visitors to the region’s the Montgomery County Community College West Campus history, environment, and recreational opportunities. Located Gallery where it was open to students and the general public. in our Pottstown offices, it serves as a visitors’ center for Over 100 people attended the opening reception. the entire Schuylkill River region. We also added two new Gateway Centers in Schuylkill County—one at the Schuylkill Fostered Outdoor Recreation with Community Bike Shares. County Visitor Center in Pottsville, and the other at the Walk Bike Pottstown and Bike Schuylkill In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven. are free bike share programs that we have made available in Pottstown, Executive Director Search. Phoenixville and Hamburg. In In October Schuylkill River Heritage Area Executive Director 2014, the bikes were shared more Kurt Zwikl officially announced his plan to retire at the end than 1,200 times for recreation and of June 2015. Zwikl has led the Heritage Area since 2003. transportation. Bike Pottstown was The board of directors for the Schuylkill River Greenway initiated in 2008 by the non-profit Association, which manages the Heritage Area, formed Preservation Pottstown with 30 a search committee and contracted with executive search yellow bikes that were purchased with firm Leadership Recruiters to conduct the search for a new funds from the Pottstown Health and executive director. An extensive search got underway leading to Wellness Foundation. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area took the selection of Silas A. Chamberlin, who joined the Heritage ownership of the program in 2010 and later expanded it to Area in May 2015. Phoenixville and Hamburg as Bike Schuylkill. What We Are Working On in 2015 First Annual Dinner. SRT Spree. Reviving an old tradition of the Heritage Area, we are holding a Sly Fox Brewing Co. has partnered with us in dinner at Historic Morlatton Village that serves as a fundraiser developing SRT Ale, a new seasonal beer that for our organization and also introduces our members to a is dubbed an “Ale for the Trail.” A portion of valuable regional historic site. We hope to make the dinner the proceeds from the sale of the beer benefits an annual event that will be held at different locations in the our organization in support of the Schuylkill Heritage Area. River Trail. It will be launched in April during the SRT Spree, a six-day event during which The River Walk. Sly Fox representatives travel by kayak, bike, horse and on foot We are constructing a new loop trail through a wooded area in along the trail, bearing flags announcing the new ale. Five trail Pottstown’s Riverfront Park. It will include interpretive signs cleanups, coordinated by Heritage Area staff, are being held in about various river-related topics such as recreation, wildlife conjunction with the SRT Spree. and river history. New Water Trail Guide. Increased Educational Programming. The Schuylkill River Water Trail Guides and Maps make the The Heritage Area will add a part-time, seasonal Educational river more accessible and safer for recreational boaters. We are Coordinator to its staff in the summer to oversee the River of currently working to create a new guide with more details, Revolutions Interpretive Center on weekends and to coordinate updated maps and information that account for new access outreach to local schools and community groups. points and removed dams. River of the Year The Schuylkill was named Pennsylvania’s 2014 River of the Year after an online public vote overseen by the Pennsylvania Organization of Rivers and Watersheds. As the winning applicant, we received a $10,000 leadership grant to fund a year-long celebration. The money supported River of the Year activities up and down the entire 128-mile waterway. Here’s How W e Celebrated Five Special River of the Year Programs: Our goal was We Also Gave Out Posters (more than 500!) designed to host informative programs in various communities for us by POWR. And we shared our $10,000 with along the river. In Schuylkill Haven, author Chari Schuylkill River Development Corp. and Montgomery Towne spoke about the Schuylkill River Desilting County to help spread the River of the Year message Project. At Valley Forge National Historical Park, two throughout the region. reenactors offered a campfire presentation about the river’s role in the Revolutionary War. In Reading, we We Accepted Resolutions recognizing the River of held a free community screening of the documentary the Year from Berks, Schuylkill, Montgomery and DamNation, about the environmental impact of dams. Chester County Commissioners. And Gov. Tom In Philadelphia and Pottstown, author Beth Kephart Corbett kayaked on the river and visited our offices, gave two inspiring talks about river recovery. delivering four Governor’s Oak seedlings from a tree at the Governor’s mansion in Harrisburg. We presented The 16th Annual Schuylkill River Sojourn featured them to Manayunk, Pottstown, Reading and Schuylkill a special River of the Year logo and programming Haven to plant along the river. that focused on river environment, recreation and conservation topics. Fiscal Year 2014 Event Sponsors

Appropriations, Grants, and Contributions Schuylkill River Sojourn The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, Ateeco Inc. Pennsylvania American managed by the Schuylkill River Greenway Association, a Barwis Construction Water non-profit 501c3 organization, is supported by federal and Bill and Candy Trace Peter Johnston state appropriations and receives public and private sector Bird Control Services, Inc. & Associates, LLC grants and donations. Funding supports a variety of projects (Allen Zimmerman) Pottstown Area Health and as well as administration and program development. Cabela’s Wellness Foundation Campbell Thomas & Co. PPL Services Corp Federal Appropriations $ 612,155 Delaware River Basin Reading Blue Mountain National Park Service (funds spent) Commission & Northern R.R. Evans Delivery Co., Inc. Reinhart & Co State Funding First Niagara Bank Schuylkill County Visitors DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Global Advanced Metals Bureau Program (C2P2) $ 57,173 USA Inc. POWR DCNR C2P2 – Conservation Landscape Initiative $ 87,465 McTish, Kunkel TE Carroll Designs 1,025 Dept. of Transportation (DOT) $ & Associates The Greater Philadelphia Middleton, Kreitz Chamber of Commerce County & Local Funding Chester County $ 10,000 & Associates Regional Foundation Schuylkill County $ 5,771 National Penn Bank The Swisher Studio Philadelphia Water Department $ 198,861 O’Donnell, Weiss, Traffic Planning and Phoenixville Borough $ 48,826 & Mattei, P.C. Design, Inc. PACD (Pennsylvania Video Ray Private Funds, Grants, & Donations Association of Wrigley’s Office Supply Exelon Nuclear $ 215,880 Conservation Districts, Memberships & Contributions $ 34,686 Inc.) Merchandise Sales $ 2,643 PPL Services Corporation $ 3,000 PA Organization of Watersheds & Rivers (POWR) $ 10,000 Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation $ 62,007 Sojourn & Special Events $ 92,826 William Penn Foundation $ 89,496 Scenes of the Schuylkill Art Show Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc. $ 5,000 Exelon Pottstown Area Artists Arcadia Publishing Royalties $ 60 National Penn Guild Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission $ 78,836 Bancshares, Inc. Sager & Sager Associates J. P. Mascaro & Sons $ 15,000 Sloan Valve $ 1,500 Funding Total $ 1,464,362 Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series Sources Of Funds As A Percentage Of Total Investment 422 Commercial Realty David G. Garner Barrs Bikes and Boards LLC Maillie LLP Federal Appropriations County & Local Funding Barwis Construction Montgomery County State Funding Private Funds, Grants, & Brentwood Industries, Inc. Community College Donations Campbell Thomas & Pottstown Hospital $145,663 $263,458 Company Company LLC Charles N. Marshall Traffic Planning and Chris & Jane Degruchy Design, Inc. Federal Appropriations (Cast Rite Metal Co) Trans Logistics, Inc. State Funding Exelon County & Local Funding Private Funds, Grants, & Donations

$612,155 $610,934 Schuylkill River Heritage Area Managed by the Schuylkill River Greenway Assn. 140 College Drive • Pottstown, PA 19464 484-945-0200 • Fax 484-945-0204 www.schuylkillriver.org

Managed by the Schuylkill River Greenway Assn. 140 College Drive Pottstown, PA 19464