Engaging with the Codorus Creek Corridor

BY DAVID GONZALEZ, JR. | DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

The foundation of any transformative project, such as the Codorus Greenway, requires true, broad community engagement and adoption. The catalytic project through the City of York is positioned to be a 1.5-mile-long linear park, that improves the access, beautification, water quality, neighborhood connectivity, wellness, and flood prevention of the waterway. Below is a quick outline of how the project is already engaging various community partners and the momentum the project has garnered this year.

Codorus Corridor Summer Enrichment Program (CCSEP)

In its second year, organized by Crispus Attucks York, the CCSEP engages students from across the City of York to immerse them in project-based learning using the vehicle of the Codorus Greenway project. This year, 16 students met over 6 weeks both in the field and in the classroom about the many different aspects of the project and the various disciplines involved.

Students met with architects, contractors, engineers, educators, environmentalists, historians, planners, government leaders, members of the YCEA team, and more. They learned firsthand the intricacies that go into a project of this scale from fundraising, planning and design, communication, economic analysis, and studies.

They also diligently researched and asked presenters detailed questions to gather critical insights on the project. All that knowledge sharing culminated in a community showcase program, where students shared their reflections and crafted exhibits that highlighted the findings from these young learnings.

Codorus Creek Clean Up

Led by Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (LSRA), in partnership with Penn State Master Watershed Stewards, Watershed Alliance of York, and YCEA a clean-up took place along the Codorus Creek in Downtown York on Saturday, July 27. The event falls in line with LSRA’s mission to improve the ecological health of the Susquehanna River watershed and the Chesapeake Bay in the interest of enhancing water quality, supporting aquatic life, and preserving waterways in the region.

Investing in the Codorus Creek

Earlier this year, the Codorus Creek Beautification Project was awarded a $15 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The RAISE grant builds on the $26 million already secured through additional public and private sources, bringing a total of $41 million in committed funding for the Codorus Greenway

This award propels this project forward and ensures the return of the waterfront to its natural park-like environs, providing public access through the beautification of the city’s primary natural resource. The project’s Phase 1 start date is pending federal permitting approval, anticipating movement in early 2025.

To learn of future clean-up opportunities, visit lowersusquehannariverkeeper.org/eventscalendar.

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