Archaeology volunteers Amelia Deacon, left, and her mother, Judy, return for their fourth summer at Muncy Heritage Park’s public dig to excavate at the lock tender's house.
The public archaeology dig at Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, just one more of Muncy Historical Society’s wonderful contributions to local history, has concluded.
Thousands of individuals and hundreds of families participated in the Public Archaeology Dig at Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, an 11-acre recreational area along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Muncy. Beginning in 2005, visitors and archaeology college students volunteered to investigate history and identify and preserve the natural resources at the park owned and under development by Muncy Historical Society.
While archaeological excavations were held at the Heritage Park, Muncy Historical Society focused on developing the Nature Trail and installing colorful and informative signs along the major trail, a towpath along the West Branch Canal.
Muncy plans to begin building a parking lot with a native flower bioswale for stormwater runoff. It also will construct a pavilion for educational workshops and meetings.
“It’s been a long journey but we are finally able to make definite plans for the park,” said Bill Poulton, president of Muncy Historical Society. “It’s been a shared vision for the past five years but now, with the comprehensive Master Plan developed by SEDA-Council of Governments and funding from public and private sources, we are hoping to move earth and create park access. Instead of parking in a soggy pasture, soon visitors to the park will have a handicap-accessible parking lot and marked trails. They’ll be able to meander through the park and learn about the local wildlife, birds and trees, as well as the history of the West Branch Canal and how a canal lock works.”
