spring is just around the corner...
March 2017
The
Press
“It [Yosemite] was like lying in a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” –Teddy Roosevelt
PUBLISHER Dan Mathers dan@thewcpress.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Nick Vecchio nick@thewcpress.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Nazarena Luzzi Castro nazarenaluzzi.com COPY EDITOR Jon Roth jroth@thewcpress.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jesse Piersol jpiersol@thewcpress.com Kate Chadwick kchadwick@thewcpress.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Sabina Sister ssister@thewcpress.com Andrew Hutchins hutch@thewcpress.com
COLUMNISTS Becca Boyd bboyd@thewcpress.com Jamie Jones jjones@thewcpress.com Diane LeBold dlebold@thewcpress.com Andrea Mason amason@thewcpress.com DJ Romeo romeo@thewcpress.com Dr Geoff Winkley drwinkley@thewcpress.com Published By... Mathers Productions 12 E Barnard Street West Chester, PA 19382 mathersproductions.com 610-344-3463 The WC Press is a monthly magazine distributed free of charge to more than 250 businesses. For a free digital subscription, visit thewcpress.com. For more information about specific distribution locations, visit thewcpress.com/distribution.
Worth
Noting 11 25 31 43 51 53
Our no-nonsense table of contents
THE POWER OF THREE West Chester Parks & Rec's small staff have big responsibilities BARTENDER OF THE MONTH We chat with Pat Neiderer of Side Bar & Restaurant WEST CHESTER PARKS DIRECTORY Inside information on 46 local public spaces FRIENDS OF THE PARK The history of philanthropy at Marshall Square Park THE LOOK H. Rose Boutique has cute looks for moms and daughters PHOTO HUNT Can you spot the five differences in these two photos?
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DECEMBER 2016 THEWCPRESS.COM
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Letter
from the
Editor
Dan Mathers shares some personal insight about this month’s theme
Until I was eight years old, my family lived in Delaware County. We moved through a series of rental properties in my earlier years, but the first home I really remember is the one my parents purchased on Bryan Street in Drexel Hill. I learned to ride my bike on a lot in front of Hillcrest Elementary, a wide open, paved space a block from my house. There I could wobble and take off in whatever direction my handlebars chose with no fear of running out of surface. I spent my days playing with the other kids in the alley behind my house. The front yard was short, narrow and steeply sloped. The backyard was mostly driveway. We had a thin strip of grass along the side of the house (it became a Slip ‘N’ Slide in summer months), but most of my playtime in those days took place on pavement. After I finished Kindergarten, my family moved out to West Chester into a fixer-upper in East Goshen. We went from having almost no yard to having a half an acre. There were massive trees to climb, dirt trails through the woods, and more open space than I knew what to do with. As a kid, it was all I could ask for. But I got a lot more than that. The street we lived on, Highland Avenue, borders the East Goshen Township Park. In fact, there is a walkway leading to the park that ran along the edge of our property. When the neighborhood kids and I grew tired of the small forests and green savannahs on our parent’s properties, we could just walk or bike down to the park for a change of scenery. I spent a lot of my childhood there. We climbed the jungle gyms and slid the slides. We played tennis and basketball, and I had baseball, soccer and even rugby practice on those fields. Sometimes I simply hung out in the pavilion with the other kids from Highland Avenue like it was our own little clubhouse. That park was instrumental in my upbringing and my love for open spaces, and I was extremely lucky to have had access. While assembling this issue, I came to realize that my childhood experience was not unique to our street. Based on the information we gathered, having a park as an extension of your neighborhood is likely the norm in West Chester. Between the zip codes of 19380 and 19382, we catalogued 46 parks, and there are probably even more open fields that we missed. Take a look at the map for our park directory on page 31, and I think you’ll be surprised by the amazing number of green spaces out there—I know we were. There are nature preserves and playgrounds. There are historic war memorials and streams stocked for fishing. Although the temptation to spend all hours in front of screens is undeniable for kids these days, the families of West Chester have incredible access to amazing natural spaces in which to appreciate the outdoors and get some fresh air. In this community, finding grass is easy… I just wonder where these kids learn to ride their bikes. —dan@thewcpress.com
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Near and Far
Jamie Jones of Whirlaway Travel explores some travel options abroad and highlights their local counterparts
Our national parks celebrated their 100th anniversary last year, and there has been a massive influx of visitors recently. For the Parks issue, I felt it made sense to talk about them. But then I started thinking about our local parks and those that I have visited all over the world and began to think about how parks draw people together from all walks of life for the same reasons: space, play, respite from the hustle and bustle, and fresh air. Parks are neutral ground that bring people together for common goals. My early years were spent playing in Everhart Park. It was a melting pot of college students lounging on blankets in the sun, teenagers shooting hoops, children soaring higher than birds on the swings, and retirees walking hand in hand down the paths enjoying a bit of nature in our ever-growing town. Festivals and camps drew even more people to those two square blocks of open space. These days we frequent Marshall Square Park, and all of the same things can be said of that space today. Our favorite family activity is heading up to the park on a balmy Thursday evening for the Summer Concert Series. We see new faces and old, make friends with neighbors we didn’t know we had, and join together with a common goal: listening to good music, breathing fresh air, and relaxing in open space. In nearly every destination I have visited, I’ve come across a park, and they all have the same thing in common with our local parks. One that comes to mind is in Cape Town, South Africa. The Company’s Garden is an oasis in the middle of a cosmopolitan city, much like Central Park in New York City. The park features fish ponds, gardens, benches and meandering paths. There is a magnificent rubber tree, and the oldest cultivated saffron pear tree, which still bears fruit after more than 300 years. Looming over the park in the distance, behind the the neoclassically designed and Cape Dutch-inspired Houses of Parliament, is the beautiful Table Mountain National Park. On any given day you can find children playing, businessmen enjoying lunch, and local artisans selling their wares. In a country with a recent history of apartheid, this space gathers all kinds of people together in shared enjoyment of nature. With everything going on in the world today, travel can be scary. Even venturing into an unknown part of your community may bring unease to the most intrepid of individuals. But the fact is, stepping out of our bubbles to experience other cultures, explore nature, and appreciate the diversities that make us all unique are essential for the future of our world. What better way to do this than on neutral ground, with a common goal, no matter how uncommon our backgrounds are. Wherever you are, or wherever you may go, seek out a park and see how a shared space like this can transform people from strangers to neighbors. —jjones@thewcpress.com
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THE POWER OF THREE West Chester's Parks & Recreation Department is a small number of people doing a large number of things story KATE CHADWICK photos SABINA SISTER
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The Other Players EAST GOSHEN
W
hen I was a teenager (many, many moons ago), my boyfriend was a huge fan of the band Rush, and he subsequently converted me. Over the course of the (also many) years that we dated, we saw Rush in concert at least a half a dozen times, and, as much as I grew to love their music, I always had one overriding thought while watching them perform: how in the world are only three people making that much noise? It was astounding to me, and a serious lesson in what a small number of people, acting in unison, can accomplish. Even a cursory glance at the Parks and Recreation Department’s page on the West Chester borough website is a similar experience, particularly if you look at it armed with the knowledge that it is run by only three full-time employees: Director Keith Kurowksi, Assistant Director Richard Ashenfelder, and Program Coordinator Jessica Wilhelmy. The links on that page run the gamut from information on specific amenities (basketball courts, playing fields, picnic tables, etc.) of the borough’s 12
parks (displayed alphabetically, from Bayard Rustin to Veterans Memorial), to links on activity guides for the current season, to bus trips and itineraries, to events, programs and activities, and summer camps. Prior to writing about the Turks Head Music Festival for this magazine a couple of years ago, my thoughts when I heard the words “parks and recreation” involved mostly “the people who maintain the parks around town.” That, and the hilarious television series that satirized small town government via the bumbling staffers at the parks and rec department of a fictional Midwestern town. I quickly learned that any similarities between the crew on NBC and the crew here in WC were…well, not so much. We checked in with the WC Parks and Rec team to meet the people behind the scenes. Director Keith Kurowksi has been on the job for over a decade. “I’ve been with West Chester Parks and Recreation since June 2004,” he told us. “I started as the Program Coordinator,
East Goshen Township is expecting great things from Director of Parks & Recreation, Jason Lang, his seasonal staff, and the Volunteer Commission. The Township Bicentennial Celebration marks 200 years since East and West Goshen separated into two townships. Attendees can expect fireworks and action-packed attractions, include petting zoos, magicians, and more. This momentous celebration will be held on Saturday, June 3 at East Goshen Park, starting at 3pm and ending after the beautiful firework show. They expect a crowd of nearly 10,000, so mark your calendar and join the celebration. In addition, the Township’s 22nd Annual Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 10am for different children 10 years and under, to search for 10,000 hidden eggs. And, starting May 11 through October 12, every Thursday from 3pm-7pm, residents will be able to visit the beautiful Summer Farmers Market with weekly vendors. You will find so many great treasures including organic citrus fruits from local farmers, sweets, and freshcooked BBQ to enjoy while walking around the over 150 acres of open space at East Goshen Township Park.
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WEST GOSHEN West Goshen Township is preparing for their Summer Recreation Program, which begins on June 19. There is a younger program for ages 5 to 12 with many exciting offerings, including recreational sports, arts and crafts, and special planned activities. Teens aged 13 to 15 can also take advantage of this fun opportunity, with a teen clubhouse to hang out and play ping pong and foosball. Teens can also get involved with the Barker Cup soccer tournament, where teams create their own handmade flags representing different countries. The program is accepting applications for counselors and junior counselors. Parks and Recreation Director Ken Lehr and Year-Round Summer Coordinator Tom Steines have many more exciting activities planned, including an Antique Car Show at the Community Park on Saturday May 20 and a Decorated Bike Parade on July 4. These events are free, all that is asked is for residents to bring shampoos/ conditioners, baby diapers, laundry detergent, etc. to donate to the West Chester Food Cupboard.
EAST BRADFORD
was promoted to Assistant Director in the spring of 2006, and then to Director in June 2009. I’m coming up on 13 full years.” As far as his job description goes, Keith handles the budget, capital projects, and finances. He is the department lead for the massive undertaking that is the annual Turks Head Music Festival, and he is also in charge of reviewing special event applications for any event on borough property. Each of the full-time employees takes the lead on one major event, with Rich leading the Super Sunday event and Jessica handling the May Day Festival of the Arts. “For all other activities and events, we share the planning and implementation duties,” Keith said.
And lest you think those single activities are no big deal, think again. The May Day Festival of the Arts in Everhart Park features between 45-60 arts and crafts vendors, along with local food vendors, strolling magicians, mimes, jugglers and dancers. Super Sunday is an annual street festival, taking over Gay Street between Matlack and Darlington with more than one hundred food vendors, arts and craft booths, live music, antique cars and firetrucks, and entertainment for kids. And the Turks Head Festival is held each July in Everhart Park (with this year’s slated for July 16). Now in its 35th year, the event features 11 regional bands on two stages, 70+ vendors of all kinds, and a kids’ play
The team managing parks in East Bradford are a close-knit crew, comprising assistant township manager Mandie Cantlin and Richard A. Phifer, director of property and recreation, and they have many family-centered events coming up. The 5-Mile Trail Blazer run at Paradise Farm Camps on June 16 is fun for all ages. Enjoy the scenery as you race through the park. There is also a 1.5-mile family fun hike for the youngsters. The best part is that Victory Brewing Co. is sponsoring the after party, with everyone receiving a beer at the finish line (root beer for minors). The registration fee supports the township’s Trail Program. There’s also the June 11 Naturalist Walk, hosted by restoration ecologist and botanist Will Ryan. This two-hour hike will take place along the Chapel Trail located by Ravine Road and focus on topics including geology, plants and animals.
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I’M COMING UP ON 13 FULL YEARS [AT PARKS & REC] –KEITH KUROWSKI
WESTTOWN Westtown Township Parks & Recreation is keeping busy, with three new commissioners elected at the February 14 board meeting. The department consists of seven resident volunteers, appointed by the board of commissioners. There are also other volunteer opportunities, with possibilities for Scout groups or for high school students to assist in community service projects. April 29 there will be a Community Yard Sale at Oakbourne Park 8am1pm. The park will also host Summer Movie Nights on Fridays June 23, July 21, and Aug 18. Make sure to bring your friends and family, blankets and chairs, to watch a selected movie with free popcorn. It’s also the venue for Westtown Day on September 9, featuring Oakbourne Mansion tours, food, and historical presentations. Trail systems are also available in the Township’s parks, so take advantage, get out, and go explore nature!
THORNBURY Thornbury Township Parks and Recreation comprises township manager Judy Lizza and township secretary Teresa DeStefano, with contractors and committee members assisting, and the help of a few student interns. They oversee six beautiful parks, totalling approximately 132 acres. Whether enjoying the historic springhouse and natural education signs of Squire Cheyney Park or the children’s playground at Goose Creek Park, there is beautiful scenery and multiple walking trails available. Geocaching, an outdoor treasure hunting game, is also available at Goose Creek Park.
area. And while the bulk of the work is done by the parks and rec team trio, they do have support “We have two part-time, year-round staff members— an Art Director and a Volleyball Coordinator, and 30+ summer camp staff—we use them to help run our events—along with a summer intern. Plus, dozens of volunteers and community service workers,” Keith said. We asked about the best part of the job. “It sounds like a cliché, but the events are the best and worst part of the job,” Keith told us. “Our department puts a lot of time and effort into planning these great events—several in our parks—and I just enjoy seeing people and families coming out to enjoy them. Add in the fact that these events, for the most part, are free for the general public to attend, and it’s a big win for anyone living in the area. Not many places have such a vibrant downtown like West Chester and are able to host these festivals.” As for challenges that his job entails? “It’s the nearly impossible task of keeping everyone happy,” Keith said. “Whether it’s adding new equipment to
a park, changing up an event, or enforcing the rules and regulations within our parks, some folks are going to like it and some of them are not. We try to get as many people as we can involved in the decision-making process without making it too convoluted.” And when he’s not on the job? “I’m an avid golfer, but I don’t get to play as much as I used to,” Keith told us. “I’m a big sports fan, but I’m not geographically bound to my teams. I like the St. Louis Cardinals (my grandfather played for them in the 1940s and won three World Series), the Steelers, and the Flyers.” Married this past October, Keith and his wife have a four-year-old daughter, Ava, and they live just outside of Reading, where he was born and raised. “I lived in West Chester for almost seven years, and I love the town,” he said. “I loved taking my dog Kaeli (who’s no longer with us) for walks around town. Most of the restaurants are pet friendly and very accommodating. Plus, you could then take a five-minute car ride and be out in the country to let the pooch roam free.” Another favorite thing about West
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West Whiteland
IT SOUNDS LIKE A CLICHÉ, BUT THE EVENTS ARE THE BEST AND WORST PART OF THE JOB –KEITH KUROWSKI Chester, according to Keith: “So much great food in such a short radius. The best meal I ever had was at the old Spence Café on Gay Street. It was a sautéed scallop dish, and I still think about it.” Assistant Director Rich Ashenfelder has been with Parks and Recreation for 11 years, and in addition to spearheading the Super Sunday event, he handles most of the department’s invoicing and billing, along with the social media and website responsibilities. Originally from Williamsport, he’s a big fan of being outside, which makes the job an ideal fit for him. “Mountain biking, walking my two dogs (Piper, a Border Collie mix, and Waffles, a mutt)—anything outdoors,” he said. The best part of the job for him, in fact, is “Being able to be outside, and to bring joy to the community through both our park system and our events.” All that outdoors business does have a flipside, however. When asked about the most challenging part of his job, Rich had a succinct response: “Mother Nature.” The things he enjoys most about West Chester in general are “the sense of community, the great downtown with its amazing dining scene, and the growers market.” For Coordinator Jessica Wilhelmy, who handles the department’s pro-
grams, classes and summer camp, the best part of the job and the most challenging part of the job are….well, kind of the same thing. “The best part of my job is preparing and implementing the summer camp,” Jessica said. “I always enjoyed going to camp when I was younger and I had some great experiences, so now I get to try and create those experiences with our campers.” And when asked about the most challenging part of her job? “Summer camp. No matter how much you prepare for camp, it does not always go as planned!” Jessica has been with the department for three years now on a fulltime basis, having previously worked six months as a summer intern/part time. “I grew up in Gilbertsville,” she told us. “I’m the middle child of two brothers, and we all live within 45 minutes of my parents’ house.” When she’s not working, Jessica likes “sewing, crafts, baking, cars, and fishing.” And her favorite thing about West Chester is a common one of many fans of the borough: “How everything is in walking distance.” We posed the question to each of the parks and rec staffers that if they could have any job, of any kind, anywhere, what would it be (up to and including rock star?). “I always wanted to be an
West Whiteland Township prioritizes parks and recreation, with an office consisting of two full-time and one part-time faculty members. In addition to the staff, there are many passionate volunteers including Friends of the Park, a close-knit volunteer group of nine individuals. There are many volunteer opportunities for all ages to help plan events and connect with other volunteers eager to help the community. Friends of the Park is hosting a fun-filled, free Summer Concert Series at Miller Park, June 11 through August 20 on multiple Sunday evenings at 6:30pm. The fun doesn’t stop there; the Township is collaborating with Chester County Library to host Community Day in Exton Park on Saturday June 3, 4-8pm. This family-focused event features a 5k evening run, wagon rides, multiple vendors, food trucks and a DJ to keep the party going; the best part is race registration fees are donated to the CMMD Foundation to support children’s cancer. There are many more exciting events in store including craft shows, and the Annual Egg Hunt on April 8, where children can take a photo with the Easter Bunny. —Courtney Desiderio exotic animal trainer,” Jessica told us. “Unfortunately, I’m allergic to most animals.” As for Keith? “Simple,” he said. “A retired pro golfer that still gets to play wherever and whenever I like…for free.” And Rich had the most straightforward answer of the three: “I wouldn’t want any other job.” So, next time you’re having a blast at a local event, take a second to appreciate the tiny, mighty team at the West Chester Parks and Rec Department. Keith and his crew would appreciate it. “I can’t tell you how many people come up to us at an event, while we’re standing in our booth that has ‘West Chester Parks and Recreation Presents Super Sunday’ written on it, and they ask us ‘Who is running this event?’ They usually think it’s one of our sponsors. But in reality, it’s the three full-time staffers who make it happen.”
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Design Dilemmas Andrea Mason of Perceptions Interiors is a professional interior designer who wants to help you upgrade your space
It’s hard to believe that the first day of spring is only a few weeks away. With springtime comes blooming flowers, fresh air and days in the park. But whether it’s work or rainy weather, sometimes we have no choice but to stay inside. This month I want to take a few minutes explain a couple ways that you can enjoy the benefits of the outdoors if you happen to be cooped up indoors. The simplest way to bring an element of the outdoors inside of your home is with plants or flowers. Adorn your dining room table or console with a beautiful vase filled with flowers. For more long-term solutions, consider planting easy maintenance greenery or even herbs in decorative pots throughout your house. Not only do they make everything smell great, but they will also purify the air and create a restful and relaxing ambiance. If you are unable to open your windows to smell and hear the elements of the outdoors, then you can recreate it. Try a floral or woodsy scented candle, incense, spray, or potpourri. You can also generate the sound of waves, rain, or birds chirping electronically. It’s a simple stress reliever, and an easy way to encourage mindfulness throughout the day. Create a visual reminder of being outside by decorating with certain colors and patterns. Green and blue are beautiful reminders of the great outdoors. A fun floral pattern on a wallpaper or mural would also look great on an accent wall. You can also use patterns on your upholstered furniture or even accessories, such as rugs, drapery, vases, artwork, and table runners. The options are endless. Another great way to bring the outside in is to use natural fibers and furniture pieces. Materials such as sisal, rattan, seagrass, and wicker not only add a lot of texture to your space, they also give your furniture more depth. You can use these fibers in your rugs, furniture, and accessories. A fun furniture trend right now is live-edge pieces: these typically involve large wood planks that retain and expose their natural edges. They look fabulous as tables, headboards, or even pieces of art on the wall! Lastly, your accessories can be a very easy reminder of being outside. You can display a collection of seashells or rocks in a bowl or even frame a butterfly collection on your wall. There are also accessories made out of found, natural objects such as chandeliers and lamps created out of driftwood or coral. Another example would be fabulous bookends made out of agate rock or carved wood. Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. If you can’t make it outside, make sure to take advantage of all of the benefits in your very own home. Open your drapery, let in the natural light, and enjoy the spring season ahead! —amason@thewcpress.com
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Home
Becca Boyd shares tips on life and cooking on her blog at homebeccanomics.com
Beccanomics
To avoid my kids walking up to strangers in the park, asking for snacks, I became a packer. These cookies were a favorite. Hearty, healthy, and just sweet enough to seem like a treat. Now with March’s promise of warmth, I bring you a simple, yeast-free bread that can also be packed (preferably alongside craft beers and some Dubliner cheese).
Kid-Friendly Graham Crackers makes about four dozen 2 1/2 c. white whole wheat flour 1/2 c. light brown sugar 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 c. cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes 1/4 c. warm water 1/4 c. honey 2 tbsp. molasses 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with silpat or parchment paper. 2. In food processor, pulse flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking soda together until blended. 3. Add cubed butter and pulse until no large clumps remain. 4. Whisk water, honey, and molasses in a liquid measuring cup and drizzle in while the processor is running. Run until evenly combined and a dough has formed. 5. Dump mixture onto lightly floured countertop and knead gently into a ball – divide dough in half. 6. Working with one half at a time, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes and place on prepared baking sheets. Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread serves 8 1 1/2 c. all purpose flour 2 c. white whole wheat flour 1/2 c. toasted wheat germ 3 tbsp. brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tbsp. unsalted butter 1 1/2 c. plus 2 tbsp. buttermilk 1. Position oven rack to upper-middle and preheat to 400 degrees. 2. Whisk flours, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in a large mixing bowl until combined. 3. Cut in the butter. 4. Add 1 1/2 c. buttermilk and stir in until dough begins to come together. If dough seems too dry, add remaining buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time. 5. Turn out onto floured work surface and knead/turn the dough until dough becomes cohesive. Pat the dough into a 3 inch high disk, about 6-8 inches in diameter. 6. Place dough on parchment or silpat lined cookie sheet. 7. Score the dough by making a large cross on the top (5 inches long, about 3/4 of an inch deep). 8. Bake for 45 minutes, or until bread is deep brown. Brush with melted butter, if desired. 9. Cool about 30 minutes before cutting. —bboyd@thewcpress.com
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Bartender of the
Month
PHOTO Sabina Sister
INTERVIEW Dan Mathers
We chat with Pat Neiderer of Side Bar & Restaurant about fresh IPAs and big stouts How long have you been bartending? Been bartending here for about three years now, and I’ve worked here for like seven. What were you doing before? I was going to West Chester, and I was like, “I probably need a job if I’m gonna live.” So, I started bussing here and worked my way up ever since. Have you worked every position? Everything front of house. I went from busser, did some serving, then bar backing, and now I’m bartending. Is bartending the pinnacle of front of house? I would say it is. It’s definitely the
most fun; you get to interact with people more. I enjoy talking with people. Do you think amiability is a trait that’d make someone want to bartend, or is it something you pick up on the job? I was shy when I started in this industry. In the service industry, you interact with people all the time, and when you’re dealing with people all the time, it becomes second nature. Would you say you went from avoiding interactions with strangers to enjoying it? I wouldn’t say I avoided interaction, but I never looked for it. Now I love meeting new people. What’re some of the other benefits of the job? Definitely just working with the people here. A lot of us have been here so long that it’s like a big family. And, another obvious benefit of working here is that we always have the best beers, and I get to try all of them. Were you passionate about beer when you started here? I’ve picked up on it through the years. When I started working at Side Bar, I thought a good beer was a Blue Moon. Now I would never think to drink Blue Moon.
What're you drinking these days? I like sours, and in the winter it’s stouts for me—the bigger the better, like an imperial stout, and Oskar Blues’ Ten Fidy is awesome. I’m also definitely an IPA drinker; the fresher the better. When you say “fresh IPA” what does that mean? Fresh would be like within a week of getting kegged. Over time beer may lose some of its flavor, that hoppiness, and when you can get a real fresh IPA—and we get a lot of really fresh kegs here—there’s nothing better. How are you at pairing beer and food? What I try to do is find out what people like. If they give me a flavor, I can match that with what we have on tap. Got any examples? Well, we have great fish tacos during the day. Get a real good, citrusy IPA with that, and lime wedges with the tacos—the citrusy flavors go great together. It's one of my favorite pairings. Is it difficult for you to track all the beers, all the flavors, and know what’s on tap when someone asks for a recommendation? You know, it’s just part of everyday life now. It’s my job.
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Ask
your
Doctor
Dr. Geoff Winkley is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who operates Doctor’s Best Immediate Medical Care
How lucky are we to live in the greater West Chester area, with an abundance of parks, recreational fields, and open space preserves within minutes of our homes. In our family, a walk with our dogs at Stroud Preserve, Harmony Hill or Shaw’s Bridge Park is how we love to spend time together. No matter the season, getting out of the house or office and adding a bit of nature to your day can help boost your mood and energy, and positively affect your health. From a health perspective, just being outdoors is one of the best and easiest ways to relax and improve mental and physical well-being. Research on the health effects of spending more time outdoors shows that being in natural environments can reduce stress (reduces cortisol levels and lowers heart rate), restores attention and focus (relaxes the brain), and boosts the immune system. Given our sedentary lives where too many spend most of the day sitting hunched over in a car or in front of a computer, remember to make time to go “play” outside and enjoy the health-boosting benefits that green spaces provide. And on those days when you cannot be outdoors, a study found that people who were shown pictures of scenic, natural landscapes had increased activity in areas of the brain associated with recall of happy memories compared to people shown city scenes. So, if you add pictures of nature as your screen saver or monitor background, you can enjoy daily doses of a little bit of happy! As we know, moving our body is essential to maintaining and improving our health. Burning more calories than we take in helps to shed weight and offset the likelihood of all sorts of medical problems including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and many cancers. Any movement is beneficial, so working out in a gym, doing vigorous housekeeping, or taking the stairs instead of the escalator can provide health benefits. And when you add the benefits of being among nature, outdoors in fresh air, your mind and sense of well-being will also improve. Regular outdoor activity relaxes the mind, improves learning and short-term memory, and increases productivity when we return to tasks and responsibilities afterwards. Physical activity also helps to not only reduce the pain associated with stiff joints and tight muscles but also increases the release of endorphins, our body's natural "feel good" chemical from our brains. The overall sense of well-being that results can persist for hours afterward and our brains eventually begin to crave this feeling. Now that spring is only a few weeks away, find something that you enjoy doing outside and get moving alfresco! Play with the grandkids at the park, go on a family walk or hike, ride your bike or simply walk in your neighborhood and connect with your neighbors. Commit to 30 minutes of moving your body every day and enjoy the beauty, peace and human affinity to our natural environment. —drwinkley@thewcpress.com
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West Chester
parks directory
1 MILE
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est Chester is riddled with parks. Absolutely riddled. You cannot live in West Chester and be more than a few minutes from a park. They’re everywhere! Just take a look at the map on the previous page: every numbered dot represents a park—it's practically impossible to be more than a mile from public-access green pastures. When we set out to build this directory, our staff was able to name a little more than a dozen, and though we figured we’d find a few more, our bet was we’d maybe have 20-something. We were way off. The following directory comprises 46 parks, all of which have West Chester addresses. There are a few that extend beyond our borders, but all the grounds on this list contain square footage in 19380 or 19382. We did out best to make sure this list was comprehensive. We searched every parks and rec directory from every township that touches West Chester. We scoured the web and clicked on every green spot that appeared on Google Maps. We even got in our cars and drove around looking for open space. Is it possible we missed some spots? Sure, but as best we can tell, this is an exhuastive list. If we did, let us know so we can update this directory online. So, peruse your options, consult the guide, see what these parks have to offer. Then plug them into your GPS and get out there—spring is just around the corner. —Dan Mathers & Ayla Karim P.S. Special thanks goes out to Timlyn Vaughan Fine Art Photography (timlynvaughanphotos.com) and Rich Ashenfelder of West Chester Department of Recreation for helping supplement the photos shot by staff photographer Sabina Sister. We’ve credited their images when they appear.
TIMLYN VAUGHAN
C BANBURY PARK
E BARKER PARK
1400 Old Pottstown Pike Features: Basketball Court, Benches, Parking Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground
Next to 833 Falcon Lane Features: Pavilion, Charcoal Grills, Backstop, Playground, Open Fields
B APPLEBROOK PARK 1662 Paoli Pike Features: Paved Trails, Open Fields, Stream Fun Fact: While only foot traffic is allowed on the trails across the street at East Goshen Township Park, the three miles of trails here are open to bicycles and rollerbladers.
F BAYARD RUSTIN PARK D BARCLAY PARK 535 N. Church Street Features: Specimen Trees, Preserved 19th-Century Estate Fun Fact: After a long campaign to “Save the Barclay,” the grounds were just dedicated in April of 2016, making this the newest park in West Chester.
740 S Walnut Street Features: Basketball Courts, Backstop, Picnic Tables, Playground, Open Play Area Fun Fact: The borough purchased the first section of the park in 1964 for $1. They purchased the second half two years later… again, for $1.
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J COOPERSMITH PARK
G BIRMINGHAM HILL 1272 Birmingham Road Features: Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark Access, Walking Trail Fun Fact: Birmingham Hill is where continental troops set their position in The Battle of the Brandywine, the largest and longest battle of the American Revolution. H BOOT ROAD PARK 110 W Boot Road Features: ADA Accessible, Baseball / Softball Diamond, Benches, Electricity, Meeting Rooms, Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground, Tot Lot, Walking Path Fun Fact: There is a building on the property available for event rental, as well as meeting rooms.
End of Spring Lane Features: Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Charcoal Grills, T-ball Backstop, Exercise Trail, Playground, Horseshoe Pit K COPELAND SCHOOL PARK 665 Copeland School Road Features: Little League Field, Soccer Field, Basketball Court Fun Fact: Copeland School Park, on Copeland School Road, is—unsurprisingly—named for the Copeland School across the street. L EAST BRADFORD PARK 835 Kenmara Drive Features: Baseball Fields, Multi-Purpose Fields, Tennis Courts, Volleyball Court, Picnic Pavilion, Tot Lot, Youth Play Area, Walking Trails Fun Fact: A walking trail, skirting private property, connects East Bradford Park to nearby Copeland School Park.
I BURKE ROAD PARK
M EAST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP PARK
1500 Burke Road Features: Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Hiking Trails, Walking Path Fun Fact: Burke Road Park is considered a “passive recreation area” making it great for enjoying natural beauty on this 24-acre site.
1661 Paoli Pike Features: Two Pavilions, Brick Barbecues, Baseball Fields, Soccer Fields, Multi-Use Fields, Sand Volleyball Courts, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Fitness Circuit, Gazebo, Walking Trail, Amphitheater, Open Fields
TIMLYN VAUGHAN N EVERHART PARK 100 S Brandywine Street Features: Activity Building, Basketball Court, Gazebo, Grill, Picnic Tables, Playground, Rustic Footbridge, Water Fountain Fun Fact: The 10.2 acres of land that makes up Everhart Park was originally owned by William Everhart, who named the park Everhart Grove. O FUGETT PARK 401 E Gay Street (Behind the Borough Building on Chestnut Street) Features: Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: Fugett Park is the former location of the Gay Street School. The school was built in 1894 for $25,000 and had a faculty of seven teachers. The school housed students who were both white and African-American. During this period of time, segregation was still very prevalent in the community. In 1967, the school was renamed the Fugett School. Mr. Fugett was instrumental to the school because he was a teacher, principal, and very active in the NAACP.
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P GOOSE CREEK PARK Behind 840 E Street Road Features: 12-Acre Open Field, Walking Trails, Playground, Pavilion, Creek Access Q GREEN FIELD PARK Greenview Alley Features: Bleachers, Multi-Purpose Athletic Field, Parking Lot, Picnic Tables, Snack Bar R HARRY J. WAITE JR. NATURE AREA 190 N Creek Road Features: Brandywine Creek Access, Canoe Launch, Fishing S HOOPES PARK 700 Hoopes Park Lane Features: Activity Building, Baseball Field, Basketball Court, Grill, Open Play Area, Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground, Tennis Courts Fun Fact: The park was named after Josiah Hoopes who was one of the three original park supervisors when the park opened in 1957.
U INGRAMS MILL NATURE AREA
SABINA SISTER T HORACE PIPPIN PARK 520 W Market Street Features: Backstop, Basketball Court, Open Play Area, Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: In the summer of 1911 ,w hen the park was constructed, it was originally called the Children’s Playground. This park was considered a multi-cultural park because different races could play at the park without having to worry about segregation.
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701 N Creek Road Features: 36-Acre Passive Recreation Area, Brandywine Creek Access V IVY GLEN PARK 206 Gypsie Lane Features: Passive Recreational Site W JANE I. REED PARK 840 Frank Road Features: Open Field, Woodlands, Walking Trail Fun Fact: The park is located behind East Bradford Elementary and is named after a former teacher who taught at that school and used to walk her students through this area. X JOHN O. GREEN MEMORIAL PARK S Matlack & E Miner Streets Features: Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground, Spray Park, Basketball Court, Childrens Climbing Wall Fun Fact: In the summer, local kids can gather around and enjoy what is, essentially, a miniature water park. Y JOSEPH P. ROSCIOLI PARK
RICH ASHENFELDER
1425 Ship Road Features: ADA Accessible, Baseball Diamonds, Benches, Picnic Tables, Playground, Hiking Trails, Walking Path Fun Fact: Boasting two little league fields and a T-ball field, the primary use is as home for Exton Little League— they even have a concession stand. But there is much more to the 13-acre plot.
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MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR
GREATER THAN LAST YEAR!
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113 Turner Lane West Chester, PA 19830
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Z KATHY MCBRATNIE PARK 300 W Nields Street Features: Backstop, Basketball Court, Open Play Area, Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: Named after the former Director of Parks and Recreation 8 LARCHBOURNE PARK 119 Larchwood Road Features: Open Fields, Playground 9 M. JOHN JOHNSON NATURE CENTER 810 Skelp Level Road Features: East Branch Brandywine Trail Fun Fact: The land is owned by PECO, but it’s under a conservation easement with the Brandywine Conservancy, and is leased to East Bradford : MARSHALL SQUARE PARK 200 E Marshall Street Features: Basketball Court, Gazebo, Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: This is the oldest park in the borough, and in the late 1800s, it was home to a small zoo. ; MILL VALLEY PARK 1313 Amstel Way Features: Benches, Picnic Tables, Pond < MOSTELLER PARK 610 E Rosedale Avenue Features: Basketball Court, Grill, Open Play Area, Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: Although the land of Mosteller Park is located along the railroad tracks, it was able to escape industrial development because it was originally situated in a flood zone. = MT BRADFORD PRESERVE 921 Sconnelltown Road Features: Passive Recreation Area Fun Fact: There is currently no parking, but East Bradford has plans for future development on the site. a NEW STREET TRACT 1274 S New Street Features: Passive Recreation Area
TIMLYN VAUGHAN b OAKBOURNE PARK 1014 S Concord Road Features: Historic Oakbourne Mansion, Pavilion with Grills, Electricity, and 16 tables (can be reserved), 2 Tennis Courts, Basketball Court, General Purpose Field; Baseball and Soccer Fields, Playground Equipment, Pond; Trail System, Community Garden Plots Fact: When the owner died in 1893, he willed the property to the Philadelphia Protestant Episcopal City Mission with the stipulation that it be used as a retreat for sick and convalescent white women, 23 years of age or older.
c ROBERT E. LAMBERT PARK Aram Avenue Features: Dog Park, Skate Park, Tennis Courts, Playground d SANDY HOLLOW HERITAGE PARK 1350 S New Street Features: Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark, Walking Trail Fun Fact: The high ground of Sandy Hollow Heritage Park marks the “sunset stand” in the Battle of the Brandywine, where the Colonials—driven back by overwhelming forces and firepower— made a valiant stand even while running low on ammunition.
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SPRING IS IN SIGHT! Shop the freshest looks from Faherty, Johnnie-O, Rodd & Gunn, and more!
Monday-Saturday: 10am - 6pm | Sunday: 12pm - 5pm 29 South High Street | phineas-gage.com | 484.266.7344
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DAVID DEAVILLE e SCONNELLTOWN PARK
j TIMBER TOP TRAIL
m WALN RUN TRACT
Corner of Sconnelltown Road and Birmingham Road Features: Mowed Walking Paths
832 Downingtown Pike Features: 25 Miles of Marked Trails UNFun Fact: This is actually an UNfun Fact: Pets are not allowed on the property or trail, leashed or otherwise
Approximately 1329 Westtown Thornton Road Features: Passive Recreation Area
f SHAW’S BRIDGE PARK 274 S Creek Road Features: Walking Trails, Bird Watching, Picnic Areas, Open Fields, Canoe Access, Fishing Fun Fact: Those in the know might be able to find a rope swing along the banks of the Brandywine here... not that it’s official or endorsed by any groups or individuals. g STROUD PRESERVE 454 N Creek Road Features: Passive Recreation, Hiking Trails, Walking Paths, Horse Trails, Wildlife Habitat, Agricultural Fields Fun Fact: Boasting 571 acres of land owned by Natural Lands Trust, and more than nine miles of unpaved trails, Stroud Preserve is the largest park on our list.
k TYSON PARK 901 Oakbourne Road Features: Open Fields with Interpretive Bioswale and Rain Garden, Pavilion, Grills, Picnic Tables, Playground l VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK 315 Veit Alley (Between Brick Alley & Pine Alley) Features: Open Play Area, Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground Fun Fact: In the summer of 1948, Veterans Memorial Park opened. It was designated Memorial Park when returning military servicemen of World War II voted to raise an honor roll fund to list the names of men and women of the northwestern section of the borough who were in the service.
n WALTZ PARK 50 Waterwillow Road Features: ADA Accessible, Baseball/ Softball Diamond, Benches, Picnic Tables Fun Fact: Waltz Park is best-known as the home of West Side Little League, and they, too, have their own concessions stand. o WEST GOSHEN COMMUNITY PARK 1023 Fern Hill Road Features: Sports Fields, Picnic Pavilion, Charcoal Grills, Sand Volleyball Courts, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Playground, Amphitheater
h SUNSET GROVE PARK 1245 Samuel Road Features: ADA Accessible, Benches, Grill (charcoal), Pavilion, Picnic Tables, Playground i THORNBURY SOCCER PARK 1200 Westtown Road Features: Soccer Fields Fun Fact: Home of West Chester United
SABINA SISTER
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The newly restored fountain dates back to 1883 photo TIMLYN VAUGHAN
FRIENDS of the How The Friends of Marshall Square Park have preserved the beauty of the borough’s first public square
H
PARK
other end of town by story Everhart Park. New CATHERINE QUILLMAN York’s Central Park would not open for another nine years and was not formally designed (by Frederick Law Olmsted) until 1873. In the early 1880s, a remarkably vast territory surrounding what is today the Marshall Square Park was under cultivation. More than 600 acres was devoted to fruit trees and ornamental plants, while other areas in the borough’s Northeastern quadrant contained greenhouses and delivery roads leading from a nearby rail depot. Marshall Square Park was created by a borough ordinance that considered its burgeoning class of mechanics, Origin Story foundry workers, and craftsmen and the need for what Part of the park’s impressive history as a public space is the fact that it pre- was once called a place of respite. It was also used by the dates the 1800s craze for urban and municipal green space. In 1848 it was residents who lived in the borough’s stylish new VictoriWest Chester’s first public square, one that would later be balanced at the an homes.
istoric West Chester has so many architectural gems, it could have its own tagline: the past is never far behind. The same is true of its public parks – they have the same appeal to residents now as they did 150 years ago. Instead of parasols, we are more likely to be accompanied by a dog, but we remain believers in the way that nature eases the mind and spirit, to use a 19th-century colloquialism. Another similarity—one that is perhaps more surprising considering how busy we all are—is that we haven’t lost our community love for our parks and our willingness to form committees to get things done. A case in point is the borough’s oldest park organization, The Friends of Marshall Square Park (FMSP), who oversee the borough’s oldest public square.
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The original fountain The Founders David Townsend (1787-1858), Josiah Hoopes (1832–1904) and Dr. William Darlington, (1782-1863) are considered the founders of Marshall Square Park. They had worked together cataloguing various species of trees and plants in Chester County but officially became the “park committee” after they were appointed by the town burgess in 1848. The three men were careful in selecting the park’s name: Marshall Park was a tribute to Humphry Marshall (1722-1800), a celebrated colonial botanist whose former home in nearby Marshallton had long been a mecca for botanists and horticulturists. These three men were exemplary botanists. Hoopes who would go on to write The Book of Evergreens as well as numerous other groundsbreaking publications. He devised a way to transport trees by railroad and soon ran the largest commercial nursery in the nation. The company, Hoopes Bros. and Thomas, built its first green house on the Hoopes family homestead in 1852, a short walk from David Townsend’s own specimen gardens and “herbarium” on North Matlack street. Hoopes’ accomplishments with the nursery included securing contracts with the U.S. government, supplying small trees and shrubs for the newly established national cemeteries. After Hoopes devised a new way to protect trees during shipment, the company mail-ordered fruit trees to nearly every state in the nation. With the park, Hoopes continued his interest in trees and was in fact the first to catalogue each species so they could be labeled. While Hoopes had practical knowledge of how to plant and maintain trees, Townsend had a botanist’s understanding of plant origins. He also published a treatise on native plants in 1837 entitled Flora Cestrica. It changed the way people thought about plants, and was considered a major contribution to local agriculture since it included an appendix farmers could use to look up cultivated plants. David Townsend had earned widespread recognition as an amateur botanist, but his horticultural pursuits were only partly responsible for what one reporter described as the borough‘s “genial pleasures” in creating “comfortable residences, elaborately adorned with the choicest flowers and shrubbery.”
photo courtesy of friends of marshall square park
The Legacy Continues FMSP president Jeff Beitel says the group has an active membership of 100 dues-paying members, many of whom are relatively new to the borough. They join with longtime members like Linda Scott, FMSP’s treasurer, who along with her husband Bill Scott, has lived in her Victorian house overlooking the park for 30 years. “When we first moved here, the houses in this area were a little rundown,” Linda says,”But from the first day I have always loved being able to look out over the park.” When she thought about moving, Linda adds, “I couldn’t figure out where else in West Chester we would rather live, and the neighbors first, and the park, second, have always made the decision for me.” Formed in 2005, FMSP are a group of friends and neighbors who oversee this five-acre park in the Northeastern quadrant. They may be best known for their summer concert series and their annual events, like the popular fall garden party and progressive dinner. As Beitel describes it, they have proven to be a group that can raise a lot of capital. They recently needed funds to restore an 1883 fountain that had gone missing from the park for decades, and they also spent about $15,000 on the restoration of a park building known as the Swiss Cottage, and that included donated materials. It’s all part of their mission to promote Marshall Square Park as a historic property. “We just recently wrote our official bylaws that codifies how we work and how
we have elections,” Beitel explains on a recent tour of the park that included pointing out some of its unique features, such as a designated “champion tree,” a stately blue ash that grows near the recently installed community bulletin board. Beitel says the group is also working to obtain its own nonprofit status, rather than have donations go through the customary channel with the Friends of West Chester Parks & Recreation, Inc. FMSP has raised “nearly $100,000” so far for the fountain project, but the group is on the cusp of phase two of a three-phase project and still needs donations, rewarded with donor plaques and commemorative benches. The group is also anxious to begin the final phase of building a protective entrance off the street. A few years ago, a speeding car lost control and wiped out a fence within a few feet of the fountain basin, according to Beitel and so they are not taking any chances. “It’s a straight run right into the fountain,” Beitel says. Certainly, residents in the past didn’t have to worry about speeding horse-drawn carriages when they first installed the fivetiered fountain in 1889. They placed it at the opposite corner from a park landmark called the Soldiers’ Monument, honoring the 97th Regiment of the Civil War. By the 1950s, concerns over upkeep led to the decision to remove the fountain—no easy task considering its cast iron weight—and all that was left for decades was its basin and lower tier. Several moves
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The Swiss Cottage
photo rich ashenfelder, west chester parks & recreation
later and the fountain seemed lost forever, until it was discovered in someone’s backyard in Westtown Township. Returning the fountain to the park was only the beginning. It was stored in the Swiss Cottage for nearly three years until the group had the funds to begin restoration, says Beitel, who calls the fountain “a welcoming gateway” to the park. Beitel, who is an architect, created the design plans for the fountain and worked with another FMSP member, a landscape designer, to complete the project. “We are the oldest park group and we’re the only park group to raise as much money as we have,” says Beitel, who has worked so long as the group’s president, he calls the park his “five-acre front yard.”
Brothers in Botany Beitel isn’t the first to feel as though the park were his yard. That honor likely goes to Hoopes and Tonwsend. Despite their age differences, Hoopes and Townsend were lifelong friends who not only shared an interest in bringing nature to the people, they encouraged the study of botany. Hoopes and Townsend were devoted to identifying what one contemporary reporter termed plants in “every marsh, plain and rock” in the region. In other words, any species we now call “native plants” that are hardy and easy to grow. They especially wanted to continue the educational pursuits of their mentor, Darlington, one of the leading botanists of his day who also served three terms as a U.S. Congressman. Townsend did not live to see Marshall Square become a full-fledged park—that is how it looks today, with an 1883 fountain, the Swiss Cottage, and the gazebo—but
he may have contributed to many of the park’s early plantings. None exist today, except in the way they represent a diverse range of trees and plants that Townsend and Hoopes thought every garden and arboretum should contain. In 1856, the West Chester Borough appointed Hoopes to maintain the trees and to come up with a better means of viewing the park. As result, Hoopes designed a plan that included a planting scheme of flower beds and shrubbery as well as walkways, park benches, and even buildings that would serve as “resting” stations for strolling park goers. The park at one point had 70 benches – a lot more than what is needed today. The Friends of Marshall Square Park recently added 12 new benches, and if all goes well with donations the group hopes to have at least 20 benches in the park for today’s residents to enjoy.
Bringing the Past to Life As if to prove the amount of work FMSP has undertaken, Beitel notes that they now have five committees—one alone is currently working with the borough to complete a new playground area. “We really have a good reputation with the borough because we follow the rules. We go to the meetings that we need to go to, and we get approvals to do things.” A few years ago, FMSP decided they needed a historic plaque and raised the funds themselves, rather than go through the usual historical commission in Harrisburg. They also researched and wrote the words for the plaque, detailing the park’s history as West Chester’s first public square, dedicated in 1848.
To paraphrase the plaque, which stands on East Biddle Street, the park was recognized at the time for having one of the regions’ best collections of trees and shrubs, 160 distinct species in all. In the 1880s, the park was also known for its sweeping pathways and planting designs, the pattern of which is now echoed in FMSP’s logo. One of the park’s original buildings is a circa-1878 wooden structure with crossbrace framing known as the Swiss Cottage. It dates to a time when people walked great distances and expected to find a place to rest at public spaces. The Swiss Cottage, in fact, is the last link to a park’s design that included a summer house with separate men’s and women’s lounges. This long-gone structure, as well as the Swiss Cottage was modeled after a famously elegant Swiss pavilion at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. While the larger summer house was designed for the public, the smaller Swiss Cottage served as a small annex or office for park’s superintendent. During the cottage’s restoration, which began around 2005, volunteers discovered layers of turn-of-the-century newspapers (the draft preventer of its day) as well as evidence that the superintendent kept warm by a small stove. The fact that the park had a full-time caretaker points to what residents felt about the park, Beitel points out. “The reason we are so successful is that the park is really the central focus of our neighborhood. Not just around the park but the entire Northeastern quadrant. For more information about FMSP or to read the list of donors for the fountain project visit www.marshallsquarepark.org
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Home
Grown
Sonia Nolasco shares info on local food and the upcoming West Chester Food Co-op
On my grandparents’ farm in Portugal, the chickens roamed freely, devouring apple and potato skins and slurping up worms that naturally enriched their eggs. When my grandmother fried one of these beauties so I could dip handcut French fries into its creamy yolk, I felt satisfied beyond a full belly. Being that close to my food fed my soul. The reality is that most of us aren’t living on farms, so choosing the right incredible, edible egg can be a bit of a scramble when faced with rows of cartons and a bevy of labels. An “organic” label, for instance, may only mean that the chickens are raised on organic feed, yet could still live in cages. Other catchy terms like “farm fresh,” “all natural,” “free range” and “cage free” can be deceiving if there isn’t a “certified humane” seal on the carton. In other words, instead of being caged, the chickens may be crowded into a warehouse, which “technically” is “cage free.” Understanding labels is important, but there’s nothing like knowing the source of your food. In West Chester, we’re fortunate to live near farms like Wyebrook in Honey Brook, PA, where you can buy pastured eggs and sustainably produced meats. “Our pastured chickens forage on grubs, bugs, grain, grass and seeds, producing eggs loaded with nutrients. We also give them scraps from our kitchen like potato skins and egg shells, which provide calcium,” says Tara Dostalik, market manager, Wyebrook Farm. “When necessary, especially in winter when there’s less to peck off the ground, we supplement their diet with non-GMO, soy-free feed. It functions like a vitamin that gives them anything they’re not able to forage.” All of these natural goodies result in creamy eggs that range from pale orange in winter to brilliant orange in summer when the fields are abundant with bugs and grass rich in omegas. On a recent visit to Wyebrook, I recalled how my grandmother never refrigerated her eggs, but we all do today. Why? “Many European countries don’t refrigerate their eggs, because all eggs are laid with a protective layer called the bloom that shields them from diseases and rot. Stored at room temperature, these eggs can probably last a couple of weeks. If refrigerated, they last months,” explains Tara. “Once washed, the bloom is gone, and our eggs get washed to comply with USDA regulations.” When it comes to fresh, there’s nothing like local. According to Wyebrook’s Tara, “We are able to get our eggs from farm to table — whether it’s our restaurant table, your restaurant table or your home — within a matter of days, whereas conventional eggs are probably getting to your table within weeks.” Buying locally gives consumers the ability to understand where their food comes from and how it was handled on its way to your table, information that is simply not available or not verifiable within our industrial food system. wcfoodcoop@thewcpress.com Sonia Nolasco is co-author of The Undiscovered Food Stories of Northern Portugal, and a member-owner of West Chester Food Co-op. To become a member-owner like Sonia, simply visit www.wcfood.coop/join-us
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Emma
PHOTO Sabina Sister
STORY Rachel Becker
Lemon Lace Tank Hayden Los Angeles, $28 Chantel Bell Pant PPLA Girls, $48
When it comes to fashion, H. Rose Boutique knows some of the most avid followers come from the tween generation, so we’ve expanded our apparel and accessories offerings to girls 8-12 (that is, the ‘in between’ years).
ka-dot printed denim tank (with lace-up detailing in back), paired with vibrant, patterned leggings. Never be afraid to mix prints — especially when, as shown here, they feature complementary colors.
Two girls with a keen sense of style, twins Emma and Grace are shown here modeling a variety of new pieces for spring 2017. At right, Grace wears a pol-
At left, Emma showcases a neon lemon chiffon tank accented with a lace hem — one offering from a new brand the H. Rose team discovered while scouting in
Grace
Light Denim Shirt Dress Hayden Lost Angeles, $36 Sunny Pant Print Legging PPLA Girls, $32
Rachel
Dusty Pink Utility Jacket Blu Pepper, $52
Atlanta. Wide-leg knit pants and a very on-trend choker complete the look. Meanwhile, owner Rachel displays a more adult spring look: a cream and dusty rose color-blocked utility jacket. With angled patch pockets, snap closures and drawstring accents at waist and collar, it’s an easy-to-style piece perfectly suited to the quickly changing spring weather.
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March Playlist DJ Romeo curates a list of the tracks he expects to start earning a lot of air time this month The following is a list of songs that will take over the radio stations in the next few months. You’ll soon know them by heart and play them ‘til they’re tired. But, good news: you can download them first and look like the cool musical genius to all of your friends. djromeo@thewcpress.com
www.djromeo.fm | @DJRomeo24
Twenty One Pilots – “HeavyDirtySoul” Kygo ft. Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me” Ed Sheeran – “How Would You Feel (Paean)” Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa – “Scared To Be Lonely” Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” Ariana Grande ft. Future – “Everyday” Marian Hill – “Down” Austin Mahone ft. Pitbull – “Lady” Cole Swindell ft. Dierks Bentley – “Flatliner” Flo Rida & 99 Percent – “Cake” James Hersey – “Miss You” Incubus – “Nimble Bastard” Krewella – “Team” Flume ft. Moses Sumney – “Weekend” Grandtheft ft. Delaney Jane – “Easy Go” Cold War Kids – “Love Is Mystical” Sean Paul ft. Dua Lipa – “No Lie” Florida Georgia Line ft. Backstreet Boys – “God, Your Mama, And Me” Moonshine Man – “Trouble” Axwell /\ Ingrosso ft. Kid Ink – “I Love You” Linkin Park – “Heavy” Aaron Carter – “Sooner Or Later” Bebe Rexha – “I Got You” Kip Moore – “More Girls Like You” Major Lazer ft. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj – “Run Up” Snakehips & MO – “Don’t Leave” Fetty Wap ft. Monty – “Way You Are” MAX ft. Gnash – “Lights Down Low” Galantis – “Rich Boy” Maroon 5 ft. Future – “Cold”
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The WC Press was proud to again host the West Chester Bartenders Ball this past January. The event raised $10,000 for local charities this year, adding to a four year total of more than $40,000. Spot the five differences between these images of guests lighting up the dance floor at WCBB 2017 for a chance to win a Barnabyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift certificate.
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