Palmer Township Beautification Project update 8.2.2012:

Project members continue working along the bike path with big smiles on their faces.  Some members pick up debris and one member works on the garden along Fairview Park. The most recent addition will be seen next April.  Over ten gallons of daffodil bulbs were planted on the section from the New Creation UCC property line west to the end of the garden. During the planting of the bulbs most of the weeds were removed from that section. With Palmer Days fast approaching the decision to eliminate the weeds at the Bar Don Lanes end was initiated on Wednesday. About forty yards at the east end of the garden was worked on. Unfortunately there is a plant with an underground root system that grows back when pulled. It has a series of small thorns on the stem so it is very easily identified when not wearing gloves. This plant was previously pulled out a few weeks ago and has resurfaced in the east most thirty yards or so.  Some herbicide is the only permanent solution. On the lighter side  - people walking dogs don’t all pick up the eliminated feces.  Multiple dog deposits are seen along the bike path garden on various days. The other issue is folks that do put the feces into plastic bags. So far the count is 29 that Project members have picked up from laying on the ground along the bike path this year. The items that are almost every day laying on the ground along the Palmer and Bethlehem Township bike path are bottles made of glass, plastic, and aluminum, candy rappers, and recently facial tissues have become common. Seems like one person drops them because they are usually in a three mile stretch. A soiled baby diaper 50 yards from Sheridan Drive was properly disposed of on Tuesday. The really nice thing about the new garden along the bike path by Fairview Park is that the growing medium is leaf compost.  Almost all of the weeds are very easily pulled out roots and all.  It is not at all like weeding in soil. There has been substantial rain in the past two weeks so most of the plants are doing well.  The ferns at the bottom of the hill are mostly in a dormant stage because it was too dry too long. Unfortunately all of the contacts with schools, churches, and scout troops have been fruitless this summer. No one who needs community service credit has come forth to help. Many passersby continue to positively comment on the garden.  For the first year I would say it is way beyond anyones possible dreams.  All of this could not have happened without the total support of Palmer personnel.  Clearing the land, bringing in the leaf compost, providing the truck with the water tank and providing over 3000 gallons during the two drought periods testifies to the support.

Dave Carr chairperson  610.704.5868  d.carr@rcn.com