The Children's Lake Benches
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In 2014, CVATC played a major role in obtaining new benches at Children's Lake in Boiling Springs, along which the Appalachian Trail passes. The new benches replaced old wood and concrete benches that had served visitors to Children’s Lake for the previous 25 years. CVATC partnered with the Boiling Springs Civic Association to obtain the necessary
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Christine Lauriello and the new Children's Lake benches
funding. Together the two organizations obtained almost $15,000 in grants to purchase and install the new benches. South Middleton Township staff installed the 20 new benches, which run from the "Bubble" spring along the lake to the iron furnace.
CVATC President Christine Lauriello spearheaded the project. “I am very excited all the organizations representing the lake are working together as a team for the benefit of the Boiling Springs community,” commented Christine. “This project has been in the planning stages for quite some time. We are thrilled that the pieces are finally coming together to turn the vision into a reality.”
Many of the old benches have missing or deteriorated wooden slats, Lauriello said. In joining forces, the trail club and the civic association have received $9,810 from the Cumberland County Land Partnerships Grant Program.
This program uses money from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund to provide financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit organizations interested in agriculture preservation, natural resource protection and the development of parks, trails and gateways.
The two organizations also received $5,000 from the South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program to put toward the new benches. This program was first developed in 2009 by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to build collaboration in conserving the high-quality natural and cultural resources of the South Mountain region. The association has set aside another $3,200 for the new benches, Lauriello said. “We are seeking donations from businesses and donors in the community.” She estimated the whole bench replacement project is expected to cost about $20,000. The old benches were installed in the late 1980s using funds from donations mostly in the form of memorials. “They have served our lake visitors well, but it is time to replace them,” said Jack Faires, association president.
Because National Park Service regulations do not allow for such memorials to carry over to the replacement benches, discussions are ongoing on how to resolve this issue, Lauriello said. “We have not worked that out yet. We have a list of people to contact.”
So far, three families have contacted the lake organizations seeking to have the old benches dismantled and moved to a private garden or porch, she said.
In addition to CVATC and the Civic Association, support came from the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, South Middleton Township, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Children’s Lake Trust.
Thanks to the Carlisle Sentinel and its website cumberlink.com for information and pictures.
CVATC President Christine Lauriello spearheaded the project. “I am very excited all the organizations representing the lake are working together as a team for the benefit of the Boiling Springs community,” commented Christine. “This project has been in the planning stages for quite some time. We are thrilled that the pieces are finally coming together to turn the vision into a reality.”
Many of the old benches have missing or deteriorated wooden slats, Lauriello said. In joining forces, the trail club and the civic association have received $9,810 from the Cumberland County Land Partnerships Grant Program.
This program uses money from the Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund to provide financial assistance to municipalities and nonprofit organizations interested in agriculture preservation, natural resource protection and the development of parks, trails and gateways.
The two organizations also received $5,000 from the South Mountain Partnership Mini-Grant Program to put toward the new benches. This program was first developed in 2009 by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to build collaboration in conserving the high-quality natural and cultural resources of the South Mountain region. The association has set aside another $3,200 for the new benches, Lauriello said. “We are seeking donations from businesses and donors in the community.” She estimated the whole bench replacement project is expected to cost about $20,000. The old benches were installed in the late 1980s using funds from donations mostly in the form of memorials. “They have served our lake visitors well, but it is time to replace them,” said Jack Faires, association president.
Because National Park Service regulations do not allow for such memorials to carry over to the replacement benches, discussions are ongoing on how to resolve this issue, Lauriello said. “We have not worked that out yet. We have a list of people to contact.”
So far, three families have contacted the lake organizations seeking to have the old benches dismantled and moved to a private garden or porch, she said.
In addition to CVATC and the Civic Association, support came from the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, South Middleton Township, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Children’s Lake Trust.
Thanks to the Carlisle Sentinel and its website cumberlink.com for information and pictures.