Chadds Ford Township supervisors announced Wednesday that the bidding process for Walkable Chadds Ford is underway. Timotha Trigg, the supervisors’ chairman, said during the board’s March 26 workshop that the project has been advertised and that bidders have five weeks to submit their bids through April 17.
When bids are received, PennDOT will begin the award process, followed by a preconstruction meeting, which will lead to a notice to proceed. That preconstruction meeting will include the various easement holders between the park and the village.
Grants received for the project total $3.6 million. Overall, the plan calls for adding pedestrian and cycling connectivity — traffic calming measures and pedestrian improvements — between the Brandywine Battlefield Park and the village area at Creek Road.
According to township Manager Lacey Faber, the bid-letting process is for the entire Walkable Chadds Ford project, which includes: “construction of the ADA intersections, signal upgrades, signage, traffic calming measures, trail installation, and all associated grading, restoration, and landscaping.”
Once construction starts, the project is expected to be finished in 12-16 months.
The project has been discussed off and on for about 11 years, starting with some preliminary meetings in 2014. In 2017, Beth Burnam, a former employee at the Brandywine Conservancy, told the Chadds Ford Business Association during its February meeting that year that there was no way to get from point A to point B. She said a couple visiting Chadds Ford were staying at the Brandywine River Hotel but had to take a shuttle to the Brandywine Museum of Art because they couldn’t walk across Route 1.
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
Jack Riden, 88, of Kennett Square, died Dec. 10, at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community in Quarryville. He was the spouse of the late Sandra (Yocum) Riden, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage. Born in Burnham, Pa., he was the son of the late Paul Riden and the late Alice (Atkinson) Riden.
Jack Riden
Jack joined the Navy upon graduating and was in the Navy for 2 years and was honorably discharged.
His first job out of the Navy was with General Electric in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then worked for Machinery Associates where he became a partner.
Jack and Sandra lived for over 20 years in Camp Hill, before moving to Berwyn, and eventually Kennett Square.
Jack loved to golf, play bridge, horseshoes, boating, and travel. He and Sandra loved to go to Maine, and many places out west. He also liked to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Jack will be remembered for his sense of humor, storytelling, and generosity.
Jack is survived by his children, Leslie Staats and husband, Kurt, of North East, Md.; Kurt Riden and wife, Jackie, of Etters, Pa.; and Allison Ingaglio of West Grove; his seven grandchildren who called him Pap: Ryan, Ian, Cody, Zak, Avery, Erin and Caitlin; and his 4 great-grandchildren, Myla, Alara, Noah and Oaklee.
A celebration of life was held on Jan. 18, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Arrangements are by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (484-734-8100) of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. To view Jack’s online obituary and leave condolences, please visit www.griecofunerals.com.
It's a Chamber Concert for All Ages on Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m.
•The Delaware County Symphony presents A Chamber Concert for All Ageson Sunday, April 6 at 3 p.m. This is an annual chamber concert and features the Chamber Series Winner of the Youth Concerto Competition and includes lighthearted pieces from P.D.Q. Bach, the DCS Percussion Ensemble, and more. Along with the playful tunes, Schleptet in E flat major and Suite No.1 for Cello All By Its Lonesome by P.D.Q. Bach; as well as Chopsticks, and Hora Staccato with percussion, guest conductor, Dr. Roberta Winemiller, will again lead the Delaware County Symphony Chamber Ensemble with performances that include a Surprise and a Farewell from Haydn. Tickets are available here. The performance is held at Neumann University Meagher Theatre –The Thomas A. Bruder, Jr. Life Center, One Neumann Drive in Aston.
•Who was Bayard Taylor? That’s the topic of a virtual event by the Chester County History Center on Tuesday, April 15, from 7-8 p.m. Local author and historian author Bruce E. Mowday will discuss the life and works of this man, known as the “Great American Traveler.” Kennett Square’s Bayard Taylor was a leading international travel writer, poet, literary critic, translator, and diplomat during the 19th century, and the author of over 62 travelogues, books of poetry, short stories, and novels. His translation of “Faust” is widely considered one of the finest works of its kind in literature, and one of his poetry readings drew a crowd of 4,000 people–a record that stood for 85 years. This is a pay-as-you-wish event, but registration is required.
Art and adoptable pets at the Chester County Arts Association on April 12. (Courtesy image)
•The Chester County Arts Association will be holding a special pet adoption program, Pets on the Patio, on Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a pop-up art show featuring a variety of local artists from The Corner Art Collective, live music, and adoptable pets from Brandywine Valley SPCA and Lucky Dawg animal rescues. The event is free, with a rain date of Sunday, April 13. Chester County Art Association is located at 100 North Bradford Ave., West Chester, PA 19382.
•It’s the 20th anniversary of PAWS for People, and the pet therapy organization is celebrating in part with a special online auction featuring vacations, electronics, and collectibles. Bidding opens on April 4 and closes at 8:45 p.m. on April 10. PAWS was founded in 2005 with just 21 pet therapy teams visiting 10 locations. It’s grown to 564 active teams supporting nearly 200 sites across the Mid-Atlantic region. Anyone interested in the bidding should visit https://www.biddingforgood.com/PawsforPeople/20thfling. For more information, call 302-351-5622 or visit PAWS for People at www.pawsforpeople.org.
Celebrate Park Day at Brinton Run Preserve in Chadds Ford Township on Saturday, April 26.
•The North American Land Trust will celebrate Park Day at Brinton Run Preserve in Chadds Ford Township on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. NALT is billing the day as an opportunity to connect with nature and fellow history enthusiasts. North American Land Trust has invited local historian Michael Harris to conduct a walk and talk about the history of our specific preserve as part of the September 11, 1777, Battle of Brandywine. In addition to the history lesson from Harris, there will be new tree/shrub plantings, maintenance on previously planted trees/shrubs/tree tubes and stakes, trail maintenance, and invasive species removal. Dress appropriately for maintenance activities, and bring gloves and any preferable hand tools. The preserve is at 6 Oakland Road in Chadds Ford Township. Go here for more information.
Union generals from Chester County Galusha Pennypacker, left, and Henry Guss.
•The Westtown Township Historical Commission is offering a talk about 10 Civil War generals from Chester County at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. One of those generals was too young to vote. The talk will be given at the Westtown Township Building located at 1039 Wilmington Pike West Chester.
•Summer camp time is approaching, and the Chadds Ford Historical Society has three weeklong sessions planned for its Hands on History Summer Camp. Sessions are June 16-20, July 14-18, and Aug. 4-8. Camp is designed for students entering grades three to six. Visit https://chaddsfordhistory.org/education/youth-summer-camps/ for registration, pricing, and other information.
