The Penn State Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County, in collaboration with Endless Mountain Stone Company, the Borough of Susquehanna and the Susquehanna Community Development Association (SCDA), are a big step closer to achieving the goal of creating a community park in an unused space in Susquehanna Depot, thanks to Peoples Security Bank & Trust.
Peoples Security generously donated $4,000 to the project, enabling the installation of water and electric service and other infrastructure for the park.
The concept of Viaduct Park originated with Butch Coleman of Endless Mountain Stone Company, who proposed the development of the park with the central feature being a stone replica of the iconic Starrucca Viaduct.
The space will be beautified with a surrounding pollinator garden developed as a part of a Penn State Master Gardener training requirement. The 2018-2019 Master Gardeners who are involved in the Susquehanna garden endeavor are: Howard Burkett, Mary Decker, Leslie Foster, Nancy Burkett, Mary Butler and Debra White.
Viaduct Park will be located in the center of Susquehanna Depot’s main business district in what is now a vacant lot. The existing bluestone foundation elements add architectural interest, providing the perfect background for the planned raised garden beds and bridge replica.
The Master Gardeners and community appreciate the generosity of Endless Mountain Stone Company for providing the bluestone, constructing the bridge replica, and building the stone raised garden beds around the perimeter of the park. The Penn State Extension Master Gardener program has been involved in planning for the park from the beginning.
Susquehanna Borough has cleared the space, dug the trench for the monument footings, and is instrumental in water being installed for the park.
The Borough, along with the SCDA, is shepherding the project through to completion
Master Gardeners will provide interpretive educational signage in the gardens and plan to host educational programs in the future.
In addition, there will be historical signage commemorating the town’s vibrant railroad history as well as acknowledgement of the project’s generous donors.
When completed, the park will be a place for the community to take in the natural elements and flowers and have a nice place to sit and enjoy the beauty.
The Master Gardener program in Susquehanna County is also grateful to Cabot Oil and Gas for their generous donation of $2,000 towards Viaduct Park. The Master Gardeners have donated $1,000 towards the purchase of plants and bushes for the park.
A special thank you to Master Gardener trainee Mary Butler, who along with grant writer Peggy Sheffler, have put their talents forward to procure various avenues of funding for this great community endeavor.
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