2009 The Year in Review

This year is coming to an end and we look forward to another eventful year at Brandywine Creek State Park. Thanks go out to all our members and volunteers who helped make our programs and events a success.

Here are some highlights from last year.

Scholarship Program (All Year)
Our annual grant program continues to help schools and other organizations participate in environmental programs presented by the education staff here at BCSP. To date, our grants have helped over 15700 students attended nature related programs.

Trail Cleanups (March-September)
Held monthly, the idea and goal was to clear debris and invasive plants in and around the various trails throughout the park.

Special Population Fishing Derby (April)
Several Friends members were on hand to help with traffic control, transportation, and facilitate the needs of the participants.

Wilson’s Run Cleanup (April)
Friend’s members and staff cleared debris and trash in and around the trout stream from the park’s main entrance down and around the bridge on the maintenance road entrance. As an added bonus, they did a road cleanup back to the main gate.

GOALS Adventure Race “The Savage” (April)
2nd event held at the park consisting of a 20 mile race by means of mountain bike, canoeing, and orienteering. Over 150 participants competed in this 6 hr event and some of our members were on hand to volunteer their services. The race also served as a fundraising event and the Friends of BCSP were the recipient of a generous donation.

Beers on the Brandywine (May)
This was the 2nd annual beer tasting event held at the Nature Center. This year’s topic was learning the brewing techniques used as well as learning how to appreciate the many characteristics and tastes of beer,

Amphitheatre Repairs (May)
Friend’s members spent the afternoon replacing the lighting behind the seats and leading into the amphitheatre with new low energy bulbs and recycled posts.

BCSP Adventure Race (June)
Several Friend's members and volunteers braved the rain all day to help with this event.

Outdoor Concert Series (June – August)
This was our 2nd year hosting free concerts hear at the park. We sponsored 3 different concerts from local bands with music ranging from Irish Folk to Jazz to R&B.

Brandywine River Tire Cleanup (July)
Over 275 discarded car and truck tires (~4 tons) were pulled from the Brandywine River downstream from the Thompson’s Bridge picnic area.. The tires were hauled away to a tire recycling facility.

Fall River Cleanup (September)
Not much trash collected from this event but nice day for a canoe trip.

Sallies XCountry Meet (October)
One of our more successful years for this fundraiser. Sold out of everything we had to offer. Very busy due to the warm weather and races starting later than usual.

Haunted Trail (October)
Many of our members are very involved with this event. Unfortunately the rainy weather put a damper on the event, reducing attendance and canceling the event Saturday night. The weather did turn out nice just in time for cleanup Sunday morning.

Haunted Trail

Oct 23rd ,24th

This year marked the 18th Annual Haunted Trail at Brandywine Creek State Park. As for the past few events, the Friends helped sponsor the event by contributing pizzas and drinks for the volunteers for dinner prior to the event, as well as provide snacks and drinks through the night. There were also a number of Friends who helped assemble and place scenarios, participate in the trail, and disassemble it Sunday morning. Over 60 volunteers and Friends worked the trail Friday night but the eventual rain meant low attendance and caused the cancellation for Saturday.

Thanks to all the volunteers and Friends members who contributed to this fun event.

Thanks also goes out to the U of D sorority who have been coming out the past few years helping to disassemble the trail and pack things away, making Sunday cleanup much easier.