Ridley Creek Celebrates 40th Anniversary as a State Park

Ridley Creek became a state park 40 years ago, in 1972.  To celebrate this milestone, the Friends of Ridley Creek State Park are holding a gala event at the Mansion on the afternoon on Sunday, October 21st and it is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be available.

The festivities begin at 1:00 pm in the ballroom.  There will be information tables and displays from other groups that are active in the park:  Colonial Plantation, Chester-Ridley-Crum Watershed Association, Craft Guild, and two fishing groups: Delco Anglers and Delco Manning Chapter #320 of Trout Unlimited. 

One special event is the 40-mile hiking challenge.  No, that doesn’t mean 40 miles in one day!  Hikers who have registered for this so far have pledged to do 40+ miles in the park over a period of 10 weeks – beginning August 12 and ending, of course, on October 21.  The Challenge was posted on MeetUp’s Ridley Creek Hikers group and it was advertised on the Friends website and Facebook page, through flyers in the park, and other venues around town. 

It’s not too late to register, as long as you can do the 40 miles between now and the 40th anniversary celebration.  All you need to do is register in one of two places:  on www.MeetUp.com by joining the group “Ridley Creek Hikers” OR on the Friends website www.FriendsofRCSP.org.  Then print out the log form and go for it!  Bring it to the Mansion for our award ceremony starting at 2 pm.  There will be certificates and prizes given out for the people who achieve the 40+ miles, and your name will be inscribed on a decorative poster and placed on the Friends bulletin board on the Multi-Use Trail.

There will also be tours of the Mansion and Hidden Valley horse stables, historical displays and some interesting facts about the history of the park and Mansion from our tour guide, Kay Ferrari, ranger talks, 40th anniversary mementos, birthday cake, and more!  Check our website for the latest information on schedules and events.

If you can volunteer some time to help on October 21 or if you have questions, contact Joan Nikelsky (Vice-President, Friends of Ridley Creek State Park) by e-mail through the Friends website (Administration – Officials) or call the Friends voicemail phone 484-442-0223.