Despite local and global concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 has been a wonderful year in the Park! The Kennett Area Park Authority Board of Directors continues to work diligently, making sure the Park offers plenty of safe outdoor space where residents and visitors can enjoy leisurely recreation along with a sense of community and belonging. We are now preparing our annual fall appeal and would like to thank you in advance for considering monetary support of the park, especially at this time. Each dollar counts, and we sincerely appreciate donations of any amount.
Highlights from 2020
With funding provided by the Borough of Kennett Square and Kennett Township, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection, work began in March on a stream restoration in the Park. This water quality project is a partnership between the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance and the Kennett Area Park Authority. Already, portions of the East Branch of the Red Clay Creek, and a tributary have been restored. Stream restoration addresses sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in the creek, and helps reduce erosion. It can also save trees along the creek bed by helping to stabilize eroding stream banks and connect the stream to its flood plains. This, in turn, improves fish and aquatic habitats. Several trees have already been saved. The work is ongoing.
New Wayfinder signs have been installed at various locations throughout the park. Have you seen them?
Thank you for keeping our wildlife safe and tangle-free by using the new receptacles in the Park to recycle used fishing line. Dawn Thomforde, a local resident and wildlife advocate, brought the mono-filament reel-in & recycle program to our attention, and she helped install several of the units, which are conveniently located in several places around the ponds.
Thanks to a generous grant from the E. Kneale Dockstader Foundation, enhancements to the area surrounding the Community Garden were made to help improve runoff and alleviate flooding issues. Looking Forward
The Annual Trout Rodeo in the Park, which was cancelled this past spring due to COVID-19, is being planned for Saturday, May 1, 2021. Mark your calendars for an event that is sure to be bigger and better than ever!
On Wednesday, June 16, 2021, the FREE Summer Concert Series kicks off with a performance by Tony Vacca from 7 – 9pm. We hope you will join us!
REMINDERS:
- The Park is open from sunrise to sunset, every day.
- Reservations are currently not available for the Pavilions or the Stage.
- For the safety of our staff, park visitors, and the greater community, the restrooms are currently closed.
- There are portable toilets located next to the main parking lot, and also by the soccer fields.
- Visitors to the park are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer, wear a mask, and maintain proper social distance (at least 6 feet) at all times.
- Please be mindful of those around you.
- Alcohol is not permitted in the park.
- When using the dog park, please keep your pets leashed while entering and exiting.
- Please clean up after your pet. Dog waste bags have been provided for your convenience.
Community engagement is important. To contact the Kennett Area Park Authority about an idea or with a concern, please email us: ansonbnixonpark@gmail.com
A water quality project of the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance and the Kennett Area Park Authority to restore portions of the East Branch of the Red Clay Creek and a tributary. Stream restoration addresses sediment, nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in the creek by stabilizing eroding stream banks, connecting the stream to flood plains, reducing new erosion in the creek channel and improving fish and aquatic habitats.
The new dog park at Anson B. Nixon Park opened in the Fall of 2018. The dog park is nearly 2 acres and boasts separate sections for small and large dogs. There is a staging section before entering either of the spaces. The park provides a human and pet water fountain drinking system, multiple benches for sitting, and dogipot clean up stations. All dogs much be leashed walking to and from the dog park area and may be taken off leash once in the staging area and prepared to enter their respected section.
The new dog park has been designed and constructed using best management practices. Part of the dog park will be in an areas that has existing trees, which will be retained so as to offer shaded areas in hot months for pets and their owners. The dog park area is gently sloping toward one of Anson B. Nixon Park’s streams. A bioswale will be constructed at the low end of the dog park, between the dog park and the stream. The bioswale will allow surface run-off to infiltration to infiltrate through the soil and be cleansed of any contaminants. The Kennett Area Park Authority is proud of its sustainability and eco-friendly design. We hope you and your furry friends enjoy the dog park at Anson B. Nixon Park!