WAYNE TWP. — On Tuesday morning, participants in the summer reading programs at the Redbank Valley Public Library and the Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library in Rimersburg toured the Mahoning Creek Dam, located between Redbank and Wayne townships in County ‘Armstrong.
School-age participants were joined by their parents and several area residents interested in the recreational opportunities at the site.
Local resident Anna Veronesi, a US Army Corps of Engineers park maintenance worker who also acts as a guide, along with summer park ranger Jacob, led the group on a hike through forests and rocks overlooking the dam site.
Jaylene Onufer, director of the New Bethlehem Area Library, said, “I think this is my first time visiting this facility. When we were looking for excursion opportunities for the reading program, someone suggested Mahoning Dam. It was an excellent choice.
The children ranged in age from about four to 16 years old. While the little ones seemed a little overwhelmed at first, brightly colored activity books handed out by Veronesi quickly put a smile on their face.
“We also have goody bags for them after the walk,” she said. These would supplement the snacks brought by library staff.
Don Crawford, one of the locals who followed, was impressed with the dam and its surroundings.
“I have family in the area and I worked here,” he said. “I didn’t know it was here.”
In recent years, the facilities at Mahoning Dam have been significantly updated from the more rustic picnic tables and restrooms that were once the mainstays. There are several modern playgrounds for children and the dam site is surrounded by numerous private campgrounds.
The theme for this year’s summer reading programs at local libraries was “Oceans of Possibilities,” hence the water-themed trip to the Mahoning Dam. The two libraries have partnered this year for the trip to the dam, as well as an upcoming trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.
