Hand’s WOODS Project
5-year Plan Proposal
Presentation by:
Hand’s Woods
Jared Brooks
Ed Corriveau
Elizabeth Fantazzia
Katrina Longenecker
Shawn Sensenig
Millersville University
Hand Middle
School
The Wooded Lot

Washington
Elementary
Hand’s woods is a 7.99
acre wood lot that is
positioned behind Hand
Middle and Washington
Elementary School.
Present Condition of Wooded Lot


Most recently the
wooded lot has been a
site of drug activity,
homeless people,
dumping of debris, and
all terrain vehicle use.
But more historically
the site has had a much
cleaner, and
educational past.
General Edward Hand


The wooded lot got it’s name just as The
middle school received theirs. Revolutionary
war General Edward Hand was born in
Ireland on December 31st in 1744.
In 1767, Hand sailed to Philadelphia to be a
surgeon. He arrived in Lancaster in 1774,
which he made his new home and began
performing surgeries and studying physics
Revolutionary War Veteran


He was a very strong believer in
independence, so he joined the colonists and
fought as a Lieutenant Colonel for the First
Battalion of Pennsylvanian Riflemen.
Through his exploits he reached the rank of
Brigadier General. He then became the
Adjutant General, and fought in the battle of
Yorktown after which he marched all of his
troops back to Lancaster.
Hand’s exploits in Lancaster

As a Federalist, Hand still remained very
active in politics after the war had ended. He
held many Positions in Lancaster, including:
Chief Burgess of Lancaster, Presidential
Elector, Delegate for the 1970 Pennsylvanian
Constitution, member of Congress (17841785), and member of the Pennsylvania
Assembly (1785-1786).
Rockford Plantation

General Hand lived out the
remainder of his life on his
177 acre farm in Lancaster.
On September 3rd, 1802, he
died from cholera on his
farm in Rockford near
Lancaster. Currently, Hand’s
Rockford plantation is a
historical site and is located
one mile south of Lancaster.
Myths Surrounding Hand’s Woods: The
Great Depression and the Trolley


In the years following
the Great Depression
Lancaster went through
a period of poverty and
decay.
The neighborhood
surrounding Hand’s
woods was referred to
Barney Google Row.
Barney Google Row, 1944
Barney Google Row

The name Barney
Google most likely
originated from the Billy
DeBeck-King comic
book character.
Barney Google Row


The name Barney Google was a
representation of a hillbilly and “ne’er do
well”.
The row became synonymous among the
population of Lancaster City as a place for
poor rural people, with often spoke a catchy
slang and were not prepared for city life.
Barney Google Row:


On July 10, 1957 Barney Google Row and
it’s substandard housing were demolished.
Why is Barney Google Row important?
–
It is a source of urban myth surrounding the
woods. Many people interviewed originally
thought the housing was inside the wooded lot,
but this was not the case.
Urban Myths: The Trolley that Never
Was

Another popular myth is
that the Lancaster
Trolley ran through the
wooded lot.
–
In actuality the Trolley
ran near by, but there
were no tracks that ran
through the woods
themselves.
A Birney Car taken In front of The Lancaster
County Court House at the corner of King and
Duke St. 1942
Rocky Springs Amusement Park

Although the Trolley did
not run through Hand’s
Woods, hundreds of
people passed by the
wooded lot on their
weekend trip to Rocky
Springs Amusement
Park.
Education
Environment and Ecology
Earth Science
Physical Education
History
Art
Education

Environment and Ecology
–
Stream Study
–
Garden Planting
Education

Earth Science
–
Topographic Geologic Survey
–
Rock Identification
–
Weather Station
Education

Physical Education
–
Low Ropes Course
–
Climbing Wall
Education

History
–
History of area located in and around Woods
–
History of entire Lancaster area
Hand’s WOODS Board





Executive Director:
Secretary/Program Coordinator:
Funds Committee:
Liability Committee:
Maintenance Committee:
Hand’s WOODS Board Continued




Hand’s WOODS Watch:
Development Committee:
Education Committee:
Community liaison:
5 year Plan
What to do, and when.
Year 1



Initial Cleanup.
– Here getting help from outside groups would help greatly.
Funding.
– Grants are the best course of action.
– Fundraising is also an option.
– Donations
Board.
–

Development
–
–

Develop Board Structure
Stairs, Trails, etc.
Crosswalk
Safety
–
–
–
–
Sinkholes
Patrols
Signs
Community
Year 2

Finances
–

Education
–

Involve children outside.
Development
–
–
–

Continue Grant money.
Signs, maps, benches
Ropes Course, Frisbee Golf
Stocking native plants, wetland
Safety
–
Continue patroling.
Year 3

Funds
–

Maintenance
–
–

Keep Trails Clear.
Trash.
Safety
–

Grants
Continue patrolling
Education
–
Begin to take classes out to the WOODS




Science
Pys. Ed.
Geology
History
–

Development
–
–
Wetland
Plants


–
Shed
Native
Edible
Local history about the woods
Year 4 and 5

Funding
–
–

Maintenance
–
–

Patrols
Education
–

Trails
Trash
Safety
–

Grants
Fund raisers
Full use of WOODS
Development
–
Shed
Financing and Funding
Financing

Possible Grants:

Green Works Grant Program



Environmental Education Grants Program



http://ncseonline.org/Education/cms.cfm?id=1201
United Disabilities Program


http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html
Up to $15,000
Environmental Education Program


http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_18.html
Up to $5,000
Up to $35,000
Evergreen Funding Consultants

http://evergreenfc.com/section_services/services_community.htm
Fundraisers:

Project S.N.A.P.



Phone raiser



http://projectsnap.org/raisemoneyforschools.html
$4.00 for every poster
www.phoneraiser.com
Bake sale
Candy sale
Donations:

Ask local businesses to donate supplies,
plants, money, etc.
–
–
–
–
–
John Herr’s
Banks
Home Depot
Lowe’s
Funk’s
Conclusion