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Spring is coming, with early signs popping up all over the park! In this newsletter: introducing our new Interim President, updates on the pond, and some exciting spring events, with the 25th annual CRC Watersheds Cleanup at the end of the month. Registration is required by March 19, so don’t delay! All our events are free and family-friendly, as they have been since 2011. ☘️
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You may have read in the last newsletter that our intrepid founder and President, Stephanie Gaboriault, is taking a sabbatical, hiking the Appalachian Trail! The organization is in capable hands with an experienced board including Vice President Marcia Tate, and a new Interim President, Linda Emory. Linda has been a long-time volunteer and committee member of Friends of Glen Providence Park, and we are grateful for this next level of her service.
Linda says:
The pandemic in 2020 underscored the value of Glen Providence Park as a necessary retreat for area residents. I was one of many who volunteered in the park – removing invasives, monitoring stream health and planting native species. We were joined by bird watchers, musicians and artists, families and wildlife all enjoying the new quiet. I am grateful for the opportunity to step in during (founding president) Stephanie Gaboriault’s much-deserved sabbatical. I look forward to continuing to work with the individuals and groups who have become park allies.
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The Glen Providence Pond
In February, representatives from Delaware County Public Works, Conservation District, and Parks & Recreation met with members of the Friends of Glen Providence Park to discuss the future of the pond, located at the bottom of the sledding hill.
With the recent signing of a conservation easement preventing the construction of a new dam upstream, it is time to investigate the best long term solution for the pond. Friends of Glen Providence support a well-planned and environmentally sound approach to the sensitive aquatic ecosystem of the park, including the pond and Broomall’s Run upstream and downstream.
The pond was created in 1936 when the Works Progress Administration diverted a portion of Broomall’s Run through an underground pipe. The newly created pond, often called “Mirror Lake” was a destination for area families. It was surrounded by electric lights and used for fishing and ice skating.
By the 1980’s the pond had silted in and was significantly less deep. The county brought in equipment and dredged it to a depth of about eight feet. For many years, the pond flourished with a variety of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, such as this Great Blue Heron.
The pond is once again silted in and out of balance, filled with sediment from upstream erosion and stormwater runoff. Nitrate and phosphorus pollution encourages plant life that covers the surface, sinks to the bottom and rots. The shallow water results in higher temperatures and less oxygen, which stresses much of the aquatic wildlife. This is a typical cycle for man-made (and some natural) ponds.
Volunteers with Friends of Glen Providence Park have collaborated with County personnel for over 10 years to keep the pipe free from debris, to construct a sandbag dam, and to stabilize the stream banks, which are severely eroded in places.
After our meeting, Delaware County Public Works reported that they will retain a hydrologist as “the first step in understanding the conditions of the site and the strategy to address the erosion along the stream bed and the existing man-made pond.” It is hoped that the study will begin in late summer and the report completed by early Spring 2024.
We are grateful that the county is taking this important step in determining the best long-term, sustainable, ecological solution for the pond and stream.
Check out our photos of the pond over the years on Flickr!
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 Regional Event
CRC Streams Cleanup
Saturday, March 25, 9am-11:30am
Rain, snow, or shine *
Main entrance – 525 West Street, Media
Registration required on CRC Website
Join us in helping with CRC Watersheds’ 25th Annual Streams Cleanup! Volunteers will remove trash in Broomall’s Run in Glen Providence Park, and be part of a regional cleanup at more than 30 sites!
Registration closes March 19th!
LOGISTICS:
- Register here, choose site #245
- Free!
- Meet at the main entrance on West State Street
- Estimated time: 2.5 hours
- Gloves and garbage bags are provided. Wear boots or other sturdy and possibly waterproof footwear.
- Be prepared for stream crossings, steep hills, and uneven (possibly muddy) terrain.
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 Forest Therapy Walk
Saturday, April 15, 10:00am -12:00pm
Rain date Sunday April 16, 10-12
Main entrance – 525 West Street, Media
Registration required – limited to 10
Experience springtime in Glen Providence Park in a whole new way! Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, translated as “forest bathing,” which is a science-informed method to bask in the beneficial chemicals of the natural world — reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, and boosting immune response and creativity. In this style of Forest Therapy, one reaps all the aforementioned therapeutic health benefits of forest bathing (no swimming actually), while also being invited to slow down and reconnect with nature, yourself and others. Even if you’re very familiar with Glen Providence Park, you may encounter the park with fresh eyes while participating in a forest therapy walk. The walk is guided by Shannon Robards, a guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy, naturalist and longtime friend of Glen Providence Park.
LOGISTICS:
- Main Street entrance
- Strict attendance limit of 10 people – please register here, or email us at friendsoftheglen [AT] gmail [DOT] com
- This particular walk is not suited for young children. Youths 12 and up are welcome, accompanied by an adult.
- Max distance: 1-1.5 miles
- Estimated time: 2-2.5 hours
- Free!
- Forest therapy walks are slow and are appropriate for all fitness levels. However, be prepared for steep hills, and uneven (possibly wet) terrain: wear appropriate footwear, bring a hiking pole if you use one, and something to sit on (a portable stool or mat) if you would like.
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 Weekend Trail Crew
Saturday, April 29, 9:30-11:30am
Rain date Sunday April 30, 9:30-11:30am
Kirk Road Entrance at 3rd Street
Groups welcome – pre-registration required
Join us for a Weekend Trail Crew to beautify Glen Providence Park! Our Friday morning volunteer Conservation Crew works year-round to improve wildlife habitat in the glen, but not everyone is available weekday mornings… we’ll have projects lined up for this weekend work day! Led by Aura Lester and our Conservation Crew.
LOGISTICS:
- Pre-registration is required, using this link, or email us at friendsoftheglen [AT] gmail [DOT] com
- Location: Kirk Road entrance at 3rd Street (parking available).
- Rain date Sunday, April 30 – in the event of stormy weather or high winds, registered participants will be notified by email if we decide to use the rain date.
- Gloves and bags will be provided.
- We recommend long pants and long sleeves to protect against poison ivy and ticks.
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ICMYI – County Conservation Agreement
SAVES 1.1 Acres of Glen Providence Park and preserves 4 adjacent acres upstream!
In a victory twelve years in the making, we are thrilled to share that Delaware County Council and Broomall’s Swim Club have reached an agreement to preserve 4 acres of Broomall’s property, which will end the requirement to build a dam, thus preserving 1.1 acres of Glen Providence Park that was threatened due to the reconstruction of this high-hazard dam. We are so grateful to all the volunteers, activists, and public servants who have worked to prioritize the preservation of Glen Providence Park and to protect more of Media’s dwindling open green space!
Read all about it on our website!
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2023 Events!
Our 2023 Friends of Glen Providence Park events include nature walks, volunteer days, citizen science, and Arts in the Park! All of our events are free and family-friendly. We also have a regular Friday morning Conservation Crew – just reply to this email to join us. The 2023 Schedule of Events is on our website, with a few details to be filled in…
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Stay safe and well, everyone! You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and our website to stay posted.
Happy Spring!
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