Hand’s WOODS Project5-year Plan Proposal

Presentation by:Jared Brooks

Ed Corriveau

Elizabeth Fantazzia

Katrina Longenecker

Shawn Sensenig

Hand’s Woods

Millersville University

The Wooded Lot

Hand’s woods is a 7.99 acre wood lot that is positioned behind Hand Middle and Washington Elementary School.

Hand Middle School

Washington Elementary

Present Condition of Wooded Lot

Most recently the wooded lot has been a site of drug activity, homeless people, dumping of debris, and all terrain vehicle use.

But more historically the site has had a much cleaner, and educational past.

General Edward Hand

The wooded lot got it’s name just as The middle school received theirs. Revolutionary war General Edward Hand was born in Ireland on December 31st in 1744.

In 1767, Hand sailed to Philadelphia to be a surgeon. He arrived in Lancaster in 1774, which he made his new home and began performing surgeries and studying physics

Revolutionary War Veteran

He was a very strong believer in independence, so he joined the colonists and fought as a Lieutenant Colonel for the First Battalion of Pennsylvanian Riflemen.

Through his exploits he reached the rank of Brigadier General. He then became the Adjutant General, and fought in the battle of Yorktown after which he marched all of his troops back to Lancaster.

Hand’s exploits in Lancaster

As a Federalist, Hand still remained very active in politics after the war had ended. He held many Positions in Lancaster, including: Chief Burgess of Lancaster, Presidential Elector, Delegate for the 1970 Pennsylvanian Constitution, member of Congress (1784-1785), and member of the Pennsylvania Assembly (1785-1786).

Rockford Plantation

General Hand lived out the remainder of his life on his 177 acre farm in Lancaster. On September 3rd, 1802, he died from cholera on his farm in Rockford near Lancaster. Currently, Hand’s Rockford plantation is a historical site and is located one mile south of Lancaster.

Myths Surrounding Hand’s Woods: The Great Depression and the Trolley

In the years following the Great Depression Lancaster went through a period of poverty and decay.

The neighborhood surrounding Hand’s woods was referred to Barney Google Row.

Barney Google Row, 1944

Barney Google Row

The name Barney Google most likely originated from the Billy DeBeck-King comic book character.

Barney Google Row

The name Barney Google was a representation of a hillbilly and “ne’er do well”.

The row became synonymous among the population of Lancaster City as a place for poor rural people, with often spoke a catchy slang and were not prepared for city life.

Barney Google Row:

On July 10, 1957 Barney Google Row and it’s substandard housing were demolished.

Why is Barney Google Row important?– It is a source of urban myth surrounding the

woods. Many people interviewed originally thought the housing was inside the wooded lot, but this was not the case.

Urban Myths: The Trolley that Never Was

Another popular myth is that the Lancaster Trolley ran through the wooded lot.

– In actuality the Trolley ran near by, but there were no tracks that ran through the woods themselves.

A Birney Car taken In front of The Lancaster County Court House at the corner of King and Duke St. 1942

Rocky Springs Amusement Park

Although the Trolley did not run through Hand’s Woods, hundreds of people passed by the wooded lot on their weekend trip to Rocky Springs Amusement Park.

Education

Environment and Ecology Earth SciencePhysical EducationHistoryArt

Education

Environment and Ecology

– Stream Study

– Garden Planting

Education

Earth Science

– Topographic Geologic Survey

– Rock Identification

– Weather Station

Education

Physical Education

– Low Ropes Course

– Climbing Wall

Education

History

– History of area located in and around Woods

– History of entire Lancaster area

Hand’s WOODS Board

Executive Director: Secretary/Program Coordinator: Funds Committee: Liability Committee: Maintenance Committee:

Hand’s WOODS Board Continued

Hand’s WOODS Watch: Development Committee: Education Committee: Community liaison:

5 year Plan

What to do, and when.

Year 1

Initial Cleanup.– Here getting help from outside groups would help greatly.

Funding.– Grants are the best course of action.– Fundraising is also an option.– Donations

Board.– Develop Board Structure

Development– Stairs, Trails, etc.– Crosswalk

Safety– Sinkholes– Patrols– Signs– Community

Year 2

Finances– Continue Grant money.

Education– Involve children outside.

Development– Signs, maps, benches– Ropes Course, Frisbee Golf– Stocking native plants, wetland

Safety– Continue patroling.

Year 3

Funds– Grants

Maintenance– Keep Trails Clear.– Trash.

Safety– Continue patrolling

Education– Begin to take classes out to the WOODS

Science Pys. Ed. Geology History

– Local history about the woods

Development– Wetland– Plants

Native Edible

– Shed

Year 4 and 5

Funding– Grants– Fund raisers

Maintenance– Trails– Trash

Safety– Patrols

Education– Full use of WOODS

Development– Shed

Financing and Funding

Financing

Possible Grants: Green Works Grant Program

http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_18.html Up to $5,000

Environmental Education Grants Program http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html Up to $15,000

Environmental Education Program http://ncseonline.org/Education/cms.cfm?id=1201

United Disabilities Program Up to $35,000

Evergreen Funding Consultants http://evergreenfc.com/section_services/services_community.htm

Fundraisers:

Project S.N.A.P. http://projectsnap.org/raisemoneyforschools.html $4.00 for every poster

Phone raiser www.phoneraiser.com

Bake sale Candy sale

Donations:

Ask local businesses to donate supplies, plants, money, etc.– John Herr’s– Banks– Home Depot– Lowe’s– Funk’s

Conclusion