Couple provides acreage for conservation project
Source: The Times-Tribune, by Gretchen M Wintermantel
October 10, 2007
BENTON TOWNSHIP - When Gayle Muller safely made it across the rickety wooden planks of the bridge connecting her property to Lackawanna State Park, county officials and other onlookers breathed a collective sigh of relief.
The Benton Township resident and her husband, Jack, are providing 18 acres of their property as a conservation easement to the Countryside Conservancy, ensuring the land will permanently be protected from future development. The couple has lived near Tunkhannock Creek for 39 years.
Lackawanna County Commissioners Robert C. Cordaro and A.J. Munchak said they asked the Countryside Conservancy to be the county's "environmental expert" three years ago.
Executive Director Mary Felley jokingly described the role of Countryside Conservancy as "an irritant" for many years, trying to generate interest in restoring the bridge and preserving the surrounding land to anyone who would listen.
When the county asked for possible project recommendations, Ms. Felley said, the Tunkhannock Creek Crossing was a natural fit.
Mrs. Muller recalled seeing children walking through their property with towels around their necks to go swimming at the dam.
"But that was years ago," she said. "The kids don't bother anymore. Sometimes we'll see hikers, but they're the real serious ones."
The language in the conservation easement, a legally binding document, states the public will be allowed to walk along Tunkhannock Creek on the couple's property.
Mrs. Muller said land conservation is important to her and her husband.
"We've always enjoyed seeing people enjoy the property," Mrs. Muller said.
Benton Township resident Caroline Seamans, an avid biker and Countryside Conservancy advisory board member, was on hand to see the new design.
"This is going to provide bikers with access to another whole area without having to go out onto (Route) 407," Ms. Seamans said, adding that she intends to use the bridge often. "(The new design) will fit in well. It will look like it's been here all along."
Built in 1883, the existing bridge is 27 feet wide and 77 feet long. Originally known as County Bridge No. 3, it has been closed to automobile traffic for more than 30 years.
The new bridge will not be open to motor traffic, Mr. Cordaro stressed. Instead, the much smaller bridge will be open only to pedestrians, bikers, horses and cross-country skiers.
The steel bridge will be eight feet wide and 80 feet long and will have a concrete deck.
Acker Associates designed the bridge. Designer Ken Acker spent time talking to people who will eventually use the bridge to see what their needs were before creating the design. Salvaging the old bridge was considered, he said, but there was no way to ensure
Mr. Acker said Countryside Conservancy has asked that he preserve the original finials that adorn the top of the bridge.
The construction of the bridge will be put out to bid later this year and should be completed by summer 2008, Mr. Cordaro said.
The total cost of the bridge is estimated to be $300,000, which will come from county Landfill Trust funds.
