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FoFHP members volunteer countless hours maintaining this 174 acre park. Members and volunteers do park cleanup all year around by removing deadfalls, downed trees, trash, river debris, improving and maintaining trails, gardens, and structures, adding signs, and many other big projects as well. In June (2023) a first ever partnership between FoFHP, Inc. and the Dauphin County Technical School began as a yearly skilled trades Heritage Project. See below for a list of some completed projects and accomplishments that FoFHP is proud to be advancing with the generosity and support of so many partners.
In 2018 FoFHP began renovating the historic buildings on the property:
There are always projects that need attention at the park. FoFHP is proud of their dedicated members and volunteers. Projects are funded through paid memberships, fundraising, receiving donations, grant awards, and through local support and partnerships. Volunteer “Work Party” sessions are scheduled to make sure visitors have a clean park for relaxing and enjoyment. You can help, feel free to volunteer. Become a member! Watch the Home page or Facebook page for everything you need to know. Thank you to everyone who helps and supports FoFHP and Fort Halifax Park. |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Park Hours and Rules
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Quick Links |
Contact Us[email protected]
or via phone 223-237-0988 Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc.
PO Box 565 Halifax PA 17032 |
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Park: 570 N. River Road, SR 147, Halifax, PA 17032
© Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc., 2021
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