National Park Service Grant For The Black Rock Sanctuary Rep. Gerlach: “This project builds on the ongoing effort of both the federal government and Chester County to preserve our natural resources and to create recreational and other opportunities to enhance the quality of life for our citizens.”
Phoenixville,
Apr 15, 2005 -
Rep. Jim Gerlach presented Chester County officials with a $195,000 check from the National Park Service to help complete the construction of an environmentally-friendly recreation and education center called the Black Rock Sanctuary in Phoenixville.
“I applaud the County’s efforts to make a significant investment in the quality of life here in Phoenixville,” Rep. Gerlach said. “The Black Rock Sanctuary is already a wonderful location for walking and for area school children to come and learn more about the environment around them.”
The $195,000 grant awarded to Chester County in February is from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant will help the County finish building interpretive, hands-on education stations along the Black Rock Sanctuary’s hiking trails; continue building and improving the Sanctuary’s extensive trail system; and complete the parking area.
“Black Rock Sanctuary is a great springboard for education, with the numerous interpretive stations,” Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele said. “This grant will provide funds for two new stations to be constructed per our original plans, and for inter-active displays to be installed at three stations constructed in 2003. They relate to geology, groundwater recharge, and watersheds. It will be a great resource for teachers.”
Commissioners’ Chairman Don Mancini said that: “This grant will enable us to accomplish the development of this interpretive trail with yet another partner from the federal government. While the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been a partner with Chester County since the beginning of this project, it is entirely appropriate that Land and Water Conservation funds be applied to this development phase as well.”
Situated on a more than 120-acre former de-silting property along the Schuylkill River, the County completed construction of wetlands throughout the Sanctuary in 2002 that are used by several species of waterfowl, wading birds and songbirds. To date, the Audubon's Schuylkill River project is funded in part by the William Penn Foundation, DCNR, PA Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
