Demolition of Curtis Mill smokestack paves way for new park in Newark, Delaware.

Posted: Friday, March 8, 2013 12:42 am By Al Kemp akemp@newarkpostonline.com

One of the oldest structures in Newark, the former Curtis Paper Mill smokestack off Paper Mill Road disappeared last week.

In a demolition that seemed gradual and sudden at the same time, crews with steel pry bars ascended on hydraulic lifts and pulled the centuries-old smokestack down – along with the flue inside – sending crumbled bricks crashing to the ground.

By the end of the week, nothing remained on the fenced-in site but a pile of rubble.

The demolition of the former smokestack was a big step forward in Newark’s plan to build a vast network of parkland and trails, city officials said.

While completion of all three phases of the parkland project is years away, officials hope to complete a preliminary plan for the former Curtis Mill site within a week, according to Parks & Recreation Director Charlie Emerson.

“It’s been a long time in coming,” Emerson said. “It’ll really clean up the site, and we’re really excited about what it’ll look like when it’s done.”

Emerson anticipates contracts to build Phase 1 of the park will go out this summer, with work beginning in the fall and continuing into 2014.

Part of that process is the implementation of a remediation plan approved by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control.

The Curtis Mill property is a brownfield site, a name given to former commercial or industrial properties whose redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of environmental hazards.

The Curtis Mill remediation plan involves excavation and relocation of contaminated soil, followed by “capping” with a layer of asphalt.

By late 2014, Emerson said, the seven-acre site on Paper Mill Road will have a parking area, an interpretive kiosk, trail access to White Clay Creek and a restored meadow area planted with native flora.

Phase 1 will cost the city $1.1 million, which was included in the capital budget.

The paper mill was built in 1789 and went through a succession of owners before production ceased in December 1997.

The red-brick smokestack was viewed by some as an eyesore and by others as an icon of the town.

Mayor Vance A. Funk III remembers well the day the smokestack quit smoking.

“Some people would say it’s something worth saving because of the historical value,” he said.

However, structural problems as well as hazardous materials made restoration of the smokestack a losing proposition, financially.

Emerson said a lot of thought was given to saving the red bricks from the smokestack, but most of them were far too fragile.

Still, some vestige of the old smokestack will be salvaged, he said.

“We are saving about four pallets of bricks for use in the plaza area,” he said.

The second phase of the master park plan will include improvements to Kershaw Park, a small piece of land directly across the creek from the paper mill site. The land is currently home to a gravel parking lot.

The third and final phase is the most ambitious and consists of the development of a large piece of land off Old Paper Mill Road, which was bought by the city decades ago but has remained an open field.

Slated for the site is a 45-car parking lot, a multi-use turf field, a ball wall court, a playground, a bicycle jump park, walking trails and a picnic pavilion. It would also include a skate spot, which is a small area with concrete jumps for skateboarders.

Follow reporter Al Kemp on Twitter: @Al_NewarkPost

Check out photos on Newark Post Online.

Coons, Carper, Pitts, Carney reintroduce bill to widen protected area of White Clay Creek watershed

Bill would add sections of the watershed in Delaware and Pennsylvania to Wild and Scenic Rivers designation with no additional cost to taxpayers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.-16) reintroduced bills in the Senate and House on Wednesday to add approximately nine miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the waterway. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Rep. John Carney (D-Del.-AL) are cosponsors of the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act, which was originally introduced in 2009 and would come at no cost to taxpayers.

“White Clay Creek is a gem that shines brightly in Delaware’s diverse ecosystem, and we must work to protect its beauty for future generations,” Senator Coons said. “When I was a child growing up in New Castle, I used to spend considerable time in the White Clay Creek watershed, and I know what a great outdoor experience is for children and families. I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for coming together in a bipartisan way to reintroduce this important legislation that conserves our shared waterways and wildlife.”

"I'm proud to again introduce legislation to protect new areas of the White Clay Creek watershed,” Rep. Pitts said. “This bill means a lot to me because of wonderful memories of enjoying the creek with my family. With Senator Chris Coons working with me in the Senate, I think we can get our bipartisan legislation through Congress very soon."

The bill will expand the original designation to include two small stream sections that were omitted from the original Wild and Scenic Rivers designation, including a 1.6-mile stretch of Lamborn Run in Delaware that was originally omitted due to its consideration as an option for a dam to supply drinking water for northern Delaware. It has since been removed from consideration and New Castle County is supportive of the addition of the section to the designation. The bill also includes a 7.4-mile stretch of stream in Pennsylvania’s New Garden Township that was originally omitted due to its consideration for a dam. That consideration has since been withdrawn and the Township is now supportive of the designation.

“This important piece of legislation will help safeguard one of Delaware’s great outdoor treasures,” Senator Carper said. “Through preserving nine additional miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries, this measure will help ensure that Delawareans will continue to enjoy this waterway’s natural, cultural and recreational benefits for generations to come.”

“White Clay Creek is a source of clean drinking water and other natural resources, while serving as the home to an array of different birds, fish and other wildlife,” Congressman Carney said. “The Wild and Scenic Rivers designation is critical to preserving the future health and vibrancy of White Clay Creek. In the coming months, I’m hopeful that Congress will give this bipartisan legislation the consideration it deserves.”

The bill has earned the strong support of local communities.

“This legislation completes the task of ensuring watershed-wide protection to the White Clay Creek and its tributaries,” Kevin Donnelly, the district coordinator for the New Castle County Conservation District, said. “The passage of this important legislation can provides real benefits to the nearly 100,000 people who live within the White Clay Creek Watershed by protecting the local drinking water supply for tens of thousands of people and countless businesses who live and work in the City of Newark and New Castle County; safeguarding important habitat for fish and wildlife species while preserving treasured historic sites and scenic vistas throughout the 69,000 acre watershed; and boosting the local economy by attracting visitors to the watershed and providing jobs for the employees of  companies whose businesses depend on the health and vitality of a free flowing and high quality White Clay Creek.”

“The White Clay Creek Steering Committee is hopeful that the reintroduced expansion bill will be enacted during this session of Congress,” Shane Morgan, the management plan coordinator for the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Program, said. “If passed, the Act would add approximately nine miles of river segments to the existing 190 miles already protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation with no associated federal cost. It is a win-win for both the environment, as it provides more comprehensive protection for the watershed; and its residents, who treasure this scenic valley for its recreational and natural resources, and rely on it for clean drinking water.”

In 2000, Congress designated a large majority of White Clay Creek and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Then-Senator Joe Biden (D-Del.) was the lead sponsor for the Senate bill and Representative Mike Castle (R-Del.-AL) was the lead sponsor for the House version. This marked the first time a whole watershed, rather than individual river segments, had been designated into the system. The proposal to expand the designation was led by former Senator Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) in the Senate and Representative Pitts in the House.

The 69,000-acre White Clay Creek watershed is home to 33 species of mammals, 21 species of fish, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 90 species of birds. White Clay Creek is also stocked with brown and rainbow trout and is an important resource for fishermen. Protected land in the watershed provides recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers, birders, hunters, and others. White Clay Creek and the Cockeysville aquifer that lies beneath portions of the watershed are important sources of drinking water for over 128,000 citizens in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The bill passed the Senate in the 112^th Congress by a voice vote, but failed to get out of committee in the House.  Learn more on Senator Coons Website.

Additional information can be found on Congressman Joe Pitts website. 

Planting Opportunity, Hunt at Louviers

Planting Opportunity, Hunt at Louviers Neighoborhood, Newark, DEApril 26, 12:30-4 p.m. and April 27, 9-12 a.m.

The City of Newark Stormwater Program needs your volunteering support to help improve water quality in Jenney’s Run, a tributary to the White Clay Creek. Several stormwater detention basins, which work to control stream flooding during times of heavy rainfall, are in need of improvements. Such improvements include re-grading, removal of invasive plant species and habitat restoration. Water quality improvements will be achieved through bioremediation, using a combination of reintroduced native plant communities and a lengthening of the flow path.

Volunteers are needed for the native habitat restoration portion of the basin improvements. Volunteers will be digging small holes across the bottoms of the stormwater basins and planting plugs of native wildflowers and grasses.

The event will take place at two times:

Friday Afternoon, April 26th from 12:30-4pm Saturday Morning, April 27th from 9am-12pm

Locator Map:

Bring comfortable clothes, gloves and boots that you wouldn't mind getting dirty and wet. If you own a garden trowel please bring it since there will be a limited number supplied on-site. Parking for the event will be on Cullen Way (Newark, DE) so we request you carpool where possible and not block driveways or mailboxes. Access to the basins will be designated with signage and flagging, it is important to only use these designated access areas. The city will have personnel on hand to assist with any parking and access issues. 100 volunteers needed. Please click here to register.