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H&K Group Helps to Fund New Environmental Education Center

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
http://www.haycreekwatershed.org

H&K Group Helps to Fund New Environmental Education Center On Monday, July 30, 2007, The H&K Group presented a check to the Hay Creek Watershed Association (HCWA) to assist in the purchase of the Millard House, formerly known as the Tucci House. Local and state representatives were on-hand, as well as H&K Group representatives, HCWA representatives, and local residents. The ceremony was kept brief by Todd Stell, due in large part to the 90°F heat, but featured encouraging words from State Representatives Sam Rohrer and Dave Kessler, as well as Birdsboro Mayor Bob Myers and the Senior Director of Science at Natural Lands Trust, Jim Thorne.

The previous owner was forced to sell the property to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in 2004 when a bridge on a portion of State Route 82 was deemed unsafe and closed by the agency after several major flooding events along Hay Creek. This closure forced the property to be condemned as access to the property was cut off.

In late 2006, the Borough of Birdsboro approached Birdsboro Materials and The H&K Group seeking consideration for a partnership to purchase the Millard property from PennDOT. Given the property’s location at the southern end of the Borough, its position next to an existing park system within the Borough, and its location at the entry point to The Hopewell Big Woods conservation area, a corporate partnership with the Borough and the Watershed Association seemed natural. In early 2007, The H&K Group committed to the project, and provided the requested funds to the Borough of Birdsboro for purchase of the property from PennDOT. Legal acquisition of the property by the Borough occurred in June, and the transfer of the property to the HCWA occurred shortly thereafter.

Although it is expected to be a long process, the Millard House will eventually be transformed into the HCWA Environmental Education Center. This center will become an integral landmark along the Hay Creek steam corridor and a picturesque entry point to the Hopewell Big Woods. Proposed facilities on the renovated property are expected to include trail and water access points, outdoor classroom areas and an amphitheater. The new Environmental Education Center will also serve as the future headquarters for the HCWA.

For more information on the Millard House or the Hay Creek Watershed Association, please visit
www.haycreekwatershed.org .

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