Deckers Dash, Water Festival on Tap in Oct.
Morgantown Dominion Post
30 August 2013
ONE PART OF Friends of Deckers Creek’s (FODC) mission is to
promote the enjoyment of the Deckers Creek Watershed. Through the
years, we’ve done this in a variety of ways, from holding outdoor
events where residents discover the interesting animals and plants
that share their home (our recent Owl Prowls) to youth skate jams
and art workshops.
FODC has worked with the Mon River Trails Conservancy to promote
the use of the Deckers Creek rail-trail, for exercise, commuting
and recreation. And we have our Outdoor Learning Park between the
creek and rail-trail in Sabraton.
We ’ve also hosted fall fundraisers that encourage people to get
out into and experience the watershed. These included Carp Fest,
with activities and workshops that celebrated Deckers Creek and
introduced young and old alike to many watershed issues. And more
recently, the Deckers Creek Adventure Day — an “Amazing
Race”-style event in which participants ran and biked on the
Capterton and Deckers Creek rail-trails and canoed in the
Monongahela River. Along the way, teams tested their brains and
brawns by completing mental and physical challenges.
For 2013, we’re evolving yet again. We’re hosting the Deckers Dash
10K run, scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Oct. 5. The course begins
and ends at Hazel Ruby Mc-Quain Riverfront Park and travels along
the Deckers Creek rail-trail and through FODC’s Outdoor Learning
Park. Register online at active.com, or download a registration
form from our website deckerscreek .org. Businesses can show their
support by sponsoring the Deckers Dash. For info on the race and
sponsorship opportunities, contact Liz Wiles, executive director,
at liz@deckerscreek.org.
Not a runner but still want to support this event? We need
volunteers to assist with many details leading up to and during
the race. To get involved, contact Hannah Spencer, volunteer
coordinator, at Hannah@deckers creek.org.
Fundraisers are critical in ensuring FODC has the ability to
respond to the multitude of opportunities, requests and reported
watershed issues received each week, which are not funded through
specific grant programs.
With funds raised through the Deckers Dash, FODC can maintain the
Outdoor Learning Park, participate in more educational events, and
respond more quickly and effectively to potential threats to the
watershed. The Deckers Dash is your opportunity to play an
integral part in restoring and revitalizing Deckers Creek and the
larger community.
After the Deckers Dash, stick around or come on down to
Morgantown’s first West Virginia Water Festival. Friends of
Deckers Creek is excited to be partnering with BOPARC and the
Morgantown History Museum/Flatboat Project in hosting this event
at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5.
The water festival is modeled after many others held throughout
the country, and will offer hands-on, interactive presentations on
a variety of issues about water — from water quality and creek
insects to stormwater management and the role of soils in the
health of a watershed.
But this water festival will be unique in that it also will host
activities that highlight the role of water — rivers, lakes,
creeks — in recreation, history and commerce. Festival-goers will
learn about the Morgantown Flatboat Project that is recreating a
historical flatboat to serve as an educational tool, among other
things. There will be opportunities to check out new kayaks,
canoes and stand-up paddle boards. Fishing groups will be on hand
to reveal good fishing spots in the region and when best to fish.
And of course, live music and food are on tap for the day.
FRIENDS OF DECKERS CREEK is a nonprofit watershed group. Its
column runs monthly. To contact the group, call 304-292-3970 or
visit http://www.deckerscreek.org