MOUNT JEWETT — The Collins Companies Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Kinzua Bridge State Park Foundation for playground equipment at the park.
Representing The Collins Companies Foundation for the presentation Wednesday at the regular meeting of the KInzua Bridge State Park Foundation was Thomas Kase, resource manager, Kane Hardwood.
Thanking the donors, Jeff Wolfe, fundraising chairman for the bridge foundation, said, “This puts us much closer to reaching the goal of $110,000 for the train-themed playground at McKean County’s only state park. With this new equipment, children ages five to 12, will be able to enjoy healthy, outdoor, physical activity during their visit to the park.”
So far, more than $73,300 has been raised through corporations, business, churches, and personal contributions. This includes $25,000 that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has committed to the project.
Donations may also be sent to The Kinzua Bridge Foundation c/o Hamlin Bank and Trust Company, 34 Fraley Street, Kane, PA 16735 or through Paypal to kinzuabridgefoundation@gmail.com
A locked box for receiving donations has been placed at the park’s visitor center.
Mary Ann Burggraf, president and executive director of the bridge foundation, lauded Wolfe on his fundraising efforts.
During the foundation’s business meeting, directors voted unanimously to pay 75 percent of the playground project’s cost to hold the equipment at a certain price.
The bridge foundation was incorporated in 1993 as a non-profit organization with the goals of restoration and preservation of the world-famous structure, and promoting its historical and cultural importance, as well as the continued development of the park.
“Planning for the playground began in June 2019,” said Burggraf, the project’s leading proponent. Upon learning about “The Rail Station” through their research, directors, again in a unanimous vote, decided to purchase this system that features a train, building, tracks and colored slides and will be located near the park’s pavilion.
Not only will the equipment provide enjoyment for the youngsters, but it will also keep alive the history of the bridge that was built in 1882 to access the coal fields in Elk County as an alternative to the more expensive laying of eight more miles of track through harsh terrain.
In his report, Park Manager Mitch Stickle provided data on park visitations. From Jan. 1 until earlier this week, attendance at The Sky Walk was 125,401, while the road counter registered 83,152 vehicles. Meanwhile, there were 52,830 people at the visitor center, even though the facility was closed two months, Stickle noted.
Attending this meeting was Jared Fencil, newly-named assistant regional manager for DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks in Region 1 that includes 33 state parks. During the discussions about the playground project, Fencil offered some suggestions since he has had experience in these endeavors.
In another matter, foundation directors approved the request from the Hamlin Township Volunteer Fire Department to sponsor a chicken barbecue at the bridge this fall at a date to be determined.
