Willows Park Preserve

Summer Vacation? Not for the Willows Park Preserve!

~ The click of a ring binder as it snaps shut. ~ The roar of a bright yellow bus revving its engine. ~ The reappearance of school crossing guards. It's September, and school children across the country, still tanned and freckled from afternoons at the pool or weekends “down the shore”, are squirming at their desks, groaning about that perennial first assignment of the school year: an essay entitled “What I Did During My Summer Vacation”.

If the tireless staff and Board of the WPP were given this assignment, they might rightly respond, “Vacation?” Truth be told, there was no summer vacation for the WPP this year as the plucky nonprofit labored all summer long to fulfill its mission of restoring the historic Willows Mansion in Radnor Township and using the muchloved property as a site for creative community programming and memorable private events. Looking back over the summer of 2022, the WPP can say with great satisfaction that it accomplished quite a bit. Consider, for example, the following: Physical Improvements

Several notable improvements were made to the interior and exterior of the Mansion over the summer. One of the most ambitious undertakings was the installation of new domestic and fire suppression waterlines. This project was undertaken in partnership with Radnor Township under the terms of its lease of the Mansion to WPP. The project involved the excavation of a trench and the laying of pipes that extended from the Willows Park entrance at Darby-Paoli Road, past the pond, and up the hill to the Mansion. This project took several weeks to complete. Once the water lines were installed and operational, a sprinkler system was installed on the first and second floors of the Mansion. Another significant improvement to the Mansion this summer was the upgrading of the two bathrooms on the Mansion's first floor, one of which is now handicappedaccessible. Puddles on the floor of the Mansion's solarium after a big storm? A thing of the past! The roof was properly sealed over the summer, continuing to let the sunshine in while keeping rain and snow melt out. The safety of visitors to the Mansion is critical. With this in mind, new safety lighting and exit signs were installed. Speaking metaphorically, a little lipstick and rouge were applied to the Mansion in the form of new carpeting and drapes, courtesy of the WPP's caterer, Peachtree Catering and Events, and a fresh coat of paint on portions of the Mansion's exterior. Another improvement of note — pun intended — was the addition of a piano donated by a generous friend of WPP. The piano adds a touch of elegance to the Mansion's lobby and offers musicallyinclined visitors to the Mansion an opportunity to demonstrate their command over ebony and ivory. One of the most exciting improvements to the Mansion this summer was the installation of a 60' x 40' tent and removable flooring on recently regraded grounds east of the terrace. This project was a joint effort by the WPP and Peachtree. Installation of this tent, in addition to a smaller tent previously installed over the Mansion's west terrace, will enable the WPP to host larger community programs, such as craft shows or health and wellness classes, and private events, such as weddings and family reunions, during the warmer months, rain or shine. Viewed from the base of the hill on which the Willows Mansion is perched the two tents, with their pitched roofs and scalloped edges, give the Mansion a festive air. Community Programs

With so much construction and restoration activity in progress over the summer, one might have expected the WPP to put community programming on pause for a few months. But the WPP has a history of exceeding expectations — sometimes even its own! — and succeeded in hosting a variety of creative programs this summer for children and adults. In partnership with Delaware County's 4-H, WPP held its first ever Eco Camp for children ages 5-7. Campers learned about local wildlife, went on hikes, created nature art and learned how to protect our natural spaces. As part of its Master Gardener series with Penn State WPP offered presentations on “How to Grow a Grill Garden” and “Herbs in Your Garden”. As part of its local speakers' series, WPP offered presentations by three local historians and authors on The Willows and its neighbors, planned garden suburbs of the Main Line and the iconic Ardrossan Estate. For music lovers the WPP continued its popular Concerts in the Courtyard series with offerings from fan favorites, including Arts International Concerto Soloists and the Younger Brothers. Private Events

The Willows Mansion served as the venue for a potpourri of private events this summer, including a school district retreat, several business meetings, a club reception, a child's birthday party, a memorial service and a wedding (with more weddings to come this fall). The Mansion, with its beautiful, wooded park setting overlooking a pond, is an inspiring location for all manner of events. Reflecting on the summer of 2022, WPP has much to be proud of, but there is no time for the organization to rest on its laurels. The forecast is for a busy fall “semester” to close out the calendar year. Be sure to keep up with what's happening at The Willows by visiting www.willowsparkpreserve.org and following the WPP on Facebook and Instagram. Consider using the Willows Mansion for your next business or social event, sign up for one or more of WPP's community programs or simply stop by for a tour or a casual visit — the Mansion is, after all, your house.

If you would like to host your next event at the WPP, register for a program, learn about volunteer opportunities, provide financial support, or simply want to learn more about the WPP, please visit our website: www.willowsparkpreserve.org or email us at: info@willowsparkpreserve.org