Projects

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Trail Maintenance, Building Repairs, Park Improvements | Gardens | Bluebirds and Monarch Butterflies | Granary Restoration | Doggie Stations | Grills | Dauphin County 4H Great Outdoors Club | Boy Scouts of America - Eagle Scout Projects | New Signs | Electrical Panel Safety Fence | Electrical Upgrades | New Sycamore Trees

ONGOING PROJECTS

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Trail Maintenance, Building Repairs, Park Improvements

FoFHP members volunteer countless hours maintaining this 174 acre park.  Members and volunteers do park cleanup all year around by removing deadfalls and downed trees, trash, and river debris, improving and maintaining trails, gardens, and structures, and adding signs. In 2018 FoFHP began renovating buildings; in 2021 the Granary received new gutters and downspouts, three new roofs were added to the Granary, Wagonshed, and Milkhouse (2020).  Work began on Yeager House (2020) with new flooring, kitchen and bath repairs, general clean up, and continues as we try to upgrade the insulation and provide HVAC.  The Wagonshed, Milkhouse, historic 1800's Schweitzer Bank Barn and companion farmhouse are all next, all while making sure visitors have a clean, beautiful, and peaceful place to relax, enjoy nature, and events.  There are always projects that need attention at Fort Halifax!  FoFHP is proud of their member and community volunteers and involvement.  Most improvements, maintenance, and renovations have been paid for via memberships, fundraising, and receiving donations and grants.  “Work Party” sessions are scheduled periodically to clean and maintain trails and roadside areas of deadfalls and trash, as well as any other project that requires attention. We rely on volunteers to help.  You can help too.  Feel free to volunteer for a committee or "work party" session.  Check out our Home page or Facebook page often for updates on current and future projects, and "work party" sessions.  Thank you to everyone who helps and supports FoFHP and Fort Halifax.

Trail Maintenance

Wagonshed

Milkhouse

Granary

Yeager House

1800's Farmhouse

1800's Schweitzer Bank Barn

PROJECTS, PLANS, GOALS, AND WISHES

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Gardens

The "Friends" began restoring and remaking the herb garden near the Granary and the flower gardens near the historic Farmhouse and Yeager House in 2020.  These gardens are now restored, (June 2021), and we will begin working to add more soon.  There are many gardens that need regular tending as do the trails and picnic areas.  We are focusing on bringing in more PA Native plants and flowers that will benefit and attract pollinators, especially butterflies, bees, and birds.    FoFHP hosts an annual Butterflies, Birds, Bees, Bats, and Blooms Pollinator and Garden Faire (see Events tab) each June as a way to educate the public about pollinators and native plants, and defray the cost of restoring and expanding these gardens.  As we work to maintain these beautiful nature areas and create more wildlife friendly gardens, would you or someone you know be interested in assisting our Garden Group?  Contact a member to donate and/or volunteer!  More pictures coming soon!

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Bluebirds and Monarch Butterflies

Bluebird Society and FoFHP Nature Volunteer Kelly Peck maintains bluebird boxes, now numbering 20 at the park. Kelly checks the boxes weekly and logs nesting results. Nesting birds include: bluebirds, tree swallows, chick-a-dees, and sometimes persistent and invasive birds and nests. Kelly's successful work gives the struggling native birds the help they need to increase their numbers every year. To learn more about bluebirds and conservation efforts visit http://www.thebsp.org/. ​
2018 Bluebirds and Other Fledges include: 15 Bluebirds, 6 Tree Swallows, and 8 Black Capped Chickadees
2019 Bluebirds and Other Fledges include: 29-33 Bluebirds, 20 Tree Swallows, 25 House Wrens, 2 Sparrow nests (September 2019)
2019 Monarch Raise and Release - 60+
2020 Bluebirds and Other Fledges include: 5 Bluebirds (lost 10 due to Spring freeze), 15 Tree Swallows, and 5 Black Capped Chickadees
2020 Monarch Raise and Release - 200+
2021 Bluebirds and Other Fledges include:  20 Bluebirds, 20 Tree Swallows, and 5 Black Capped Chickadees, some sparrows and wrens
2021 Monarch Raise and Release - 100+ 

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Granary  Restoration

Granary Roofing Project - Phase 111

Summer of 2020 FoFHP was very busy.  The Granary received a shiny new metal roof.  Members volunteered to assist Central Penn Roofing with installation of the roof to keep costs down.  The inside of the building was also cleaned and re-organized.  It is beautiful!  A BIG thanks to John Esch and his crew, and Bruce, Sharon, Norma, Bob K, Frank, Jan, Joe, Vicki, and Robert!

Granary Painting Project - Phase 11 

The Granary near the entrance at Fort Halifax Park has a nice new painted exterior! This charming old building needed some tender-loving-care to protect it from the weather. FoFHP members decided a year ago to begin working toward a little restoration. The Granary now has electricity (thank you Jim), some badly rotting wood has been replaced, the side doors that were missing were fixed and re-crafted as well as the door framing, and the windows were re-glazed, all while trying to stay true to the historic nature of the building (thanks Bob K. and Joe). This summer once the rains stopped the building was power washed, scraped, primed and finally painted (thanks Joe, Henry of HCM Estimating and Consulting LLC, Steve, Vicki, Norma, and Sherwin Williams). The building still needs a new roof, gutters, steps and/or a ramp at one of the doors, and a parking area, all in future plans - but for now it's looking fabulous! (September 2019)

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Granary Doors and Wood Repairs - Phase 1

Our Granary has gone through some improvements. There was wood replacement, and the side double doors were recrafted and installed by two of our FoFHP members, Bob K and Joe V.  It was cleaned out and cleaned up before the Colonial Festival by members making a perfect area for one of the Living History demonstrators during the Festival. We are hoping to paint the building and install gutters soon too! (May 2018)

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Doggie Stations

In order to assist our many visitors who love to walk at the park and bring their dogs, FoFHP has installed two Doggie Stations.  Thank you Bob S. and Bruce for purchasing and installing these stations located at each kiosk.  Dog refuse bags are available from the station and can be disposed of here.  Thank you visitors for "leaving no trace".

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Grills

FoFHP purchased and installed 3 new Picnic Grills for park visitors. Two have been installed in the pine tree picnic grove near the buildings. One has been installed at Goose Landing. They are ready for everyone to enjoy!  Thank you Bob S., Bruce, and Bob K. for installing them! They are a nice new addition to the park! (August 2019)

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Dauphin County 4H Great Outdoors Club

Wood Duck Boxes

We would like to welcome Dauphin County 4H Great Outdoors Club as the newest addition to Fort Halifax Park. Club Leader Scott Theurer and member volunteers made (through donations) and installed 12 Wood Duck Boxes to various areas of the Park in hopes of attracting these beautiful birds to nest. We are looking forward to having successful Wood Duck fledglings and having a part in protecting this beautiful North American species. This group will maintain the boxes and report findings to Cornell Lab in New York. (March 2019)

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3-Sisters Gardens

During the spring/summer of 2020 the DC4H Great Outdoors Club planned a 3-Sisters garden.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the kids were not able to participate as normal but club leader Scott planned, prepped, planted, and took care of the area.  It turned into a very beautiful addition to the Goose Landing area of the park!  And it fit right in with the Wigwam already there!

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Boy Scouts of America - Eagle Scout Projects

Snake Rail Fence - Northwest Rail

Ethan Snyder recently completed (April 2020) his Eagle Scout Project at Fort Halifax!  Ethan 's project completed the second length of colonial-style snake rail fencing on the northwest side of the entrance lane along the railroad tracks.  This project is another beautiful addition as well as an added safety border for visitors at the park.  Many thanks to Ethan for his planning of the project, the many that donated, and the helpers that volunteered their time to complete this big project.  We are very grateful to the local Boy Scouts who continue to assist Friends of Fort Halifax Park with the park and its needs!

Picnic Tables

In 2018 Tim Schmitt approached FoFHP requesting permission to do his Eagle Scout Project at the Park. After discussing ideas FoFHP and Halifax Township Supervisors approved his project of new picnic tables. On a cold day and at a still snow covered park in February Tim and helpers built 6 new picnic tables! These new tables are very needed at the park! Thank you to Tim and everyone who helped and donated! (February 2019)

Snake Rail Fence - Southwest Rail

Tanner Schmitt approached FoFHP requesting permission to do his Eagle Scout Project at the Park.  After discussing ideas FoFHP and Halifax Township Supervisors approved his project of a colonial-style snake rail fence. In January 2019 Tanner and helpers made his project happen! This new fence not only enhances the Park but it is also an important safety barrier for Park visitors - especially all the children who visit during the Colonial Festival. (January 2019)

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New Signs

Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. regularly replaces and installs new signs at the park to assist visitors.  Since 2017 many new signs, such as; QR, trail, park highlights, various park welcome, directional, and one of the newest - a large map (on the barn), have been installed.  Some signs have been ordered through local printing companies but many are designed, crafted, donated, and installed by FoFHP members.  See below for some of the many signs that have been added.  Also, be sure to check out the Kiosks for pamphlets and information!

Wagon Trail to Campsite and Kayak/Canoe Launch

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Electrical Panel Safety Fence

During the summer of 2020 FoFHP members installed a nice new fence surrounding the electric panel for visitor safety.  Many thanks to Bob S., Joe, Frank, Bob K, and Bruce!

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Electrical Upgrades

Underground Electricity has been installed at Fort Halifax Park! Recently the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors approved a request from the Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc., to install electricity to the Milk House, Granary, and Corn Crib. FoFHP purchased all the necessary supplies. Halifax Township crew members dug and filled in the trenches. Installation work was completed by electrician and FoFHP member, Jim Reynolds. Jim volunteered his time with the help of a few additional members! In addition overhead lines and poles have been removed to enhance the natural beauty of the Park! (June 2018)

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New Sycamore Trees

Beginning in 1922 as a World War I commemoration, Sycamore trees were planted and line Route 147 through Halifax and Reed Townships.  This route is called the Sycamore Allee and is registered in the National Register of Historic Places https://pahistoricpreservation.com/a-road-to-the-past/.  Fort Halifax Park is bisected by part of the Sycamore Allee.  Because these Sycamore trees are an important part of history over the years FoFHP will purchase new ones to replace ones that have died along the park borders.  In 2020 four Sycamore trees needed replaced so FoFHP purchased the trees and with the help of member volunteers and the Halifax Township Roadmaster and crew they were planted!