Headwaters party supports watershed association

Mary Pickels
Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 9:10 a.m. | Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 9:10 a.m.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Kayakers Mary Shaw and Roy Weil wave while traveling through Scottdale on Jacobs Creek on Saturday, June 16, 2018 during the first Lazy River Family Friendly Float Day in honor of the grand opening of the Scottdale Family Friendly Water Trail in Scottdale. The one-mile stretch of waterway within the borough of Scottdale now gives access for those who wish to canoe, kayak or use inflatable water tubes with a put-in at Kendi Park and a put-out at Garfield Park. The effort to bring recreational access to the creek was undertaken by the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association.

The third annual Headwaters Party will raise money to help support the Jacobs Creek Watershed Association’s growing recreation programs, including its new water trail, says Annie Quinn, executive director.

Money raised at the 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10 event at Yinzer Valley Farms, 681 Mulberry Hill Road, Mt. Pleasant, will go toward building a 5-mile water trail on Jacobs Creek.

Funds also will be directed toward expanding watershed paddling access and hosting additional free or affordable recreation events, Quinn says.

“Last year, the second party raised enough money to pay for a partnership with the Scottdale fire department to clear the water trail,” she says.

Funds raised will help with long-term trail maintenance, Quinn says.

The money also will help pay for the association’s pop-up paddling program, offering kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle board events free to association members.

Such programming requires ongoing funding fees, she says, including insurance and boat transportation.

Quinn says the association hopes the season — which runs from May until September — will be “bigger and better” in 2020.

“This is a collaboration between the association and the public. We need a lot of small funders. That water trail is paid for and hopefully will be used by the public,” she says.

Dig in, down on the farm

Those attending will enjoy catering by Espey’s Meat Market, with dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients. Helltown Brewery is providing beer, with special edition 4-packs for sale, and Sand Hill Berry Farms is supplying dessert.

Former Headwaters venues Christner Farms and Whoa Nellie Dairy also are contributing to the meal.

Blues and bluegrass band The Turnpentiners will provide musical entertainment.

Guests can take tours of Yinzer Valley Farms, which opened last year, and learn more about the association, Quinn adds.

“This is a phenomenal opportunity for us to showcase the association and its programs,” she says.

Raffle prizes include a stay at an Ohiopyle Airbnb, annual family membership to the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Patagonia gear, a bike and gift cards to local businesses.

Tickets are $20.

Details: jacobscreekwatershed.org