River Towns Outreach Corps 2011

Throughout May, work continued at a good pace. Many existing projects were finished, while others were picked up and we are moving ahead on. I finished reading through many old plans about the Monongahela River, finding what recommendations are relevant to our work, and discarding others. I synthesized all of these recommendations into one document for our program. I had meetings in both California and Fredericktown-Millsboro, to set up town assessments in those communities. Those town assessments will take place in early June. I also worked to arrange bicycle trips for the corps, in order to get an on-the-ground perspective of some of the recreational opportunities. Finally, I began work on a grant to commission a work of public art in Fredericktown-Millsboro.

May also had lots of out of office work. First and foremost, I attended the Partnership for the National Trails Conference in Abingdon, VA. For five days, I met and worked with representatives of all of the National Scenic and Historic Trails, as well as a number of related organizations. I made many professional contacts and brought back lots of ideas for work here in Pennsylvania. Upon our return, we had a display at the Fayette County Children's Water festival. Approximately 300 students came by to learn about water pollution. Later that week I was in Pittsburgh for a meeting with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. We discussed working on an existing smart phone app that will have tourist information for the Upper Monongahela River Valley. Last but certainly not least, we ended the month with the Albert Gallatin Regatta, an annual event in Point Marion, PA, on Memorial Day weekend. We had been planning the parade throughout the month, and spent the day organizing and running the parade on the ground. It was a great event to end a productive month.

April 2011 began with the Brownfields Conference in Philadelphia, PA. For three days I attended roundtable sessions, presentations, and workshops on community redevelopment. Projects from across the nation that focused on reuse of abandoned buildings and properties were showcased. Following the end of the conference, I returned to the office in Connellsville, where we moved into a new, larger office down the street.

I completed research on Fredericktown-Millsboro, PA and compiled a town report. A business directory accompanied the report. I also researched water quality issues related to the Monongahela River and its tributaries. I read several past studies and summarized them, as well as reading into current water testing efforts occurring in the region. I met with the Izaak Walton League, a national organization focusing on environmental issues. Their Greene County chapter is a leading force in the region on water quality issues. April was also Earth Day in Connellsville. I created an educational display about John Muir, and displayed it with the other educational programs. Later in the day, I assisted with planting native species along a former railroad tailing dump.

Several new projects were also started, including planning a memorial day parade for Point Marion, PA. Also, I have begun to review many old plans for the Monongahela River valley, and prioritizing the suggestions from them. This way, we hope to avoid doing any new planning, and begin to implement these ideas.

April was a busy month for the SCA River Town Outreach Corps. For me it started in Philadelphia at the National Brownfields Conference. There I learned about Brownfield sites and how to develop those sites, particularly on rivers for community use as a green space. When I returned I focused on conducting research to learn as much as I could about California and the Mon Valley. The research included a business directory and town report for California and also real estate values for the Mon Valley. This was a good learning experience to teach me new things about the area. We were also assigned to organize the 32nd Annual Albert Gallatin Regatta Parade in Point Marion, PA on May 28. This was something I am new at and am embracing the parade planning as a great challenge.

The River Towns Program is a two year partnership between Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) and the Student Conservation Association (SCA), and is funded through AmeriCorps and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. The River Towns Outreach Corps (RTOC) consists of SCA volunteers who will be working in the communities of Point Marion (Fayette County), Greensboro and Rices Landing (Greene County), and Fredericktown-Millsboro and California (Washington County) along the Monongahela River. Corps members will be working to engage local citizens, business leaders, civic clubs, non-profit organizations, elected officials, and public office entities in ongoing and upcoming local and regional efforts.

The River Towns Program seeks to better connect the towns to the river as an outdoor recreational asset, while encouraging business growth through increased visitor revenue. It is similar to the Trail Towns approach but also concentrates on the river as an asset. Trails need to be built and often take many years to do so, but the Upper Monongahela is a readily available resource that is both navigable and beautiful. Although historically these towns have recognized the river as an industrial highway and essential to the industries of glass, coal and steel, it can and should be used by recreational users. The common heritage of these towns and the wealth of industrial heritage artifacts allows us to position the towns as unique attractions for visitors.

RTOC Mission: To foster economic revitalization and community development along the Monongahela River Towns through minds-on and hands-on community service.

RTOC Goals:
--To be an integrated resource and asset to the River Town communities
--To coordinate and increase reliance on local and regional economies
--To promote appreciate of rich cultural heritage of Southwest Pennsylvania

Brad Bishop is originally from Perkasie, PA (Bucks County). He went to California University of Pennsylvania and has a B.A. in Communications and a M.Sc. in Sports Management. His main interests are radio, Philadelphia sports teams, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Ashley Gramlich grew up in NW Arkansas & attended the University of Arkansas obtaining a Bachelors degree in Recreation. She has spent a majority of the last decade working in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota guiding & assisting in administration for the Boyscouts. She has a passion for live music, preferably folk/bluegrass, and long paddling adventures on lakes.