Delaware County Council was thrilled to join the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the County’s Department of Public Works, members of the Parks and Recreation Board, elected officials, and dozens of local football players, cheerleaders and their families to announce the completion of the $1.7M Capital Improvement project at Upland Park on September 27.

Spanning 60 scenic acres, Upland Park is the fourth largest County park and a much-loved part of the community. In the past year, significant improvements have been made to make this park a welcoming gathering place for everyone in the community. 

Improvements to Upland Park include:

• A new playground with sensory activities for children with special needs 
• Natural grass athletic fields 
• Energy-efficient state-of-the-art LED lighting 
• ADA-compliant parking spaces 
• Environmentally friendly paved walking path 
• Stormwater improvements 
• Updates to the Redwood Center (including replacement of the roof and new exterior signage)

“One of the many things that makes Delco a great place to live, work, and visit is its broad array of outdoor activities, including trails and paths for hiking and biking, parks, and green spaces for enjoying time with friends and family,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “Over the past few years, we have seen the ways outdoor space enhances our quality of life and it also has a tangible economic benefit in our community.”

Council’s appreciation of open space is shown through the dramatic expansion and improvement of the county’s park and greenways in recent years. In addition to Delaware County Council’s $1.78M to upgrade Upland Park, the County’s 2023 capital improvement program includes $9M for parks, trails, and open space projects. The County has also invested over $17M in helping municipalities invest in their own green spaces through our Delco Greenways grant program.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for provided a grant in the amount of $57,800 to support the project, and to the Office of Housing and Community Development for their grant in the amount of $250,000. 

The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) is committed to protecting our community from seasonal respiratory illnesses and other dangerous infections by helping ensure that all residents have easy access to critical life-saving vaccinations ahead of the winter season.

As part of this commitment, the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will be holding a series of vaccination clinics for residents throughout the month of October. 

Three drive-thru community flu vaccination clinics, for residents ages 3 and up, will be held in Broomall (Oct. 17), Tinicum (Oct. 19), and Yeadon (Oct. 22). These flu vaccinations are in addition to the standing immunization clinic hours held weekly at the Delaware County Wellness Centers in Chester and Yeadon. Drive-thru clinics are free; no appointments or insurance needed.

 A free senior vaccination clinic will also be held at the Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center in Chester (Oct. 10), providing influenza (flu), pneumococcal, and Shingrix (shingles) vaccinations for all individuals ages 60 and up.

“We can’t stress enough how important preventing serious infections is, especially for our seniors,” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “Flu season will be here before we know it! And the best way for folks to prepare is by getting their annual vaccinations before it starts.” 

Drive-Thru Community Flu Clinics (Ages 3+):

Broomall Fire Company

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

1 N. Malin Rd., Broomall, PA 19008

Tinicum Fire Company

Thursday, Oct. 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

99 Wanamaker Ave., Essington, PA 19029

Wellness Center at Yeadon

Sunday, Oct. 22, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

125 Chester Ave., Yeadon, PA 19050

Residents are asked to wear short sleeves to ensure that flu shots can be administered easily. In the event of inclement weather, please be aware that drive-thru flu clinics may be canceled.

Senior Vaccination Clinic (Ages 60+):

Keystone First Wellness & Opportunity Center 

Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

W. 9th St, Chester, PA 19013

Please note, DCHD will only be offering the Fluarix Quad 2023 influenza vaccine in our flu clinics; high dose flu vaccines for residents 65 years of age and older will not be available. 

Seniors are asked to call DCHD’s Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 to schedule their appointment.

Standing DCHD Immunization Clinics:

DCHD provides a variety of vaccinations (including flu and coming soon the new 2023 COVID-19 vaccines) to underinsured and uninsured residents at our standing clinics. We encourage residents to call our Wellness Line at (484) 276-2100 to check for eligibility, availability, and make an appointment. 

DCHD will attempt to accommodate walk ins from any Delaware County resident ages 3 and up *for the flu vaccine only during the fall flu season.

Note: The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available at local pharmacies in Delaware County. Residents are encouraged to visit www.vaccines.gov for more information.

Delaware County Chair Dr. Monica Taylor and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer were honored to participate in the launch of the Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods Coalition on September 28 at the ACCESS Chester Community Center in Chester.

The Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods (SSSN) Coalition was formed to increase coordination to prevent, intervene, and respond to gun and group violence among youth and young adults ages 11-24 in the City of Chester.

SSSN is led by Cyrise Dixon, who recently transitioned to her role as the group’s Community Violence Intervention Coordinator after a 42-year career in law enforcement. Under the umbrella of the CASA Youth Advocates team, the coalition brings together several Delaware County nonprofits with the common goal of reducing gun violence in the city of Chester. Along with CASA, the members of Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods include Chester Education Foundation, Chester Community Coalition, Boys and Girls Club of Chester, Crozer Health Trauma Program, Widener University, and the Making a Change Group.

“Youth violence is one of the most pressing issues in Delaware County,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr Monica Taylor. “Investments in violence prevention, support, and life skills are critical to provide to young people with tools they can use – hopefully stopping violence before it even starts.”

Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods was established to help young people get on a better path by connecting them with services and people who want to help and empower them. Initial funding for the formation of SSSN is made possible by a founding grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and a grant from Delaware County Council.

“Safer Schools Stronger Neighborhoods is working to establish programs and interventions that are tailored to the Chester community – specifically addressing the physical, mental, and social-emotional needs of our youth and young adults,” said Dr. Marina Barnett, the Interim Assistant Provost for Civic Engagement at Widener University, who is leading the research and analysis that will inform SSSN’s approach to youth violence intervention.

SSSN will deliver violence prevention education to youth ages 11 to 18, with some young people also receiving in-school interventions, mentoring, social support, and referrals for needed resources.

Through SSSN, younger adults age 18 to 24 will receive workforce readiness and life skills training and youth 11 to 24 affected by violence will receive crisis response services, case management and access to therapy.

Delaware County Council Member Richard Womack was honored to join the Philadelphia Union, Centro de Apoyo Comunitario, El Centro, and the Foundation for Delaware County in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Union’s game against the LAFC at Subaru Park in Chester on Saturday, September 23.

Fans attending the game and members of the public were invited to the Plaza area of the stadium for a pre-game “Fiesta Hispana” (Hispanic Heritage Festival) which included music, food trucks, and resources.

“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month grants us the chance to illuminate the extraordinary contributions, traditions, and legacies of the Hispanic community that enrich our shared cultural mosaic here in Delaware County,” said County Council Member Womack. “By recognizing and spotlighting diversity like we have done here tonight, we connect people and nurture an environment where inclusivity thrives.”

At halftime, Council Member Womack, on behalf of Delaware County Council, and other organizations received recognition by the Philadelphia Union for their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Thank you to the Philadelphia Union and the Foundation for Delaware County for a great evening!

The 22nd annual Run for Heroes will be held on Sunday, October 8 at 9:00 a.m. at the Springfield Township Building, located at 50 Powell Road in Springfield.

The 5K walk/run is the largest fundraiser for the Delaware County Hero Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1977 by County Council to provide education scholarships for the children of police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel who were killed in the line of duty.

Since the run was founded in 2000, over $730,000 has been raised.

To learn more, or to register for the run/walk, visit the Run for Heroes website linked below.

Delco Arts Week being held September 30 through October 8

Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor, and Councilmember Christine Reuther joined members of the Delaware County Arts Consortium on State Street in Media on September 27 to present a resolution declaring September 30-October 8 to be the 5th annual Delco Arts Week.

During this week, over 60 different performances, exhibits, workshops, concerts, tours, and other events will be taking place at over 30 venues throughout Delaware County. 

Some of the events include productions at the Colonial Playhouse, Media Theatre, Hedgerow Theatre, and the Spotlight Theatre, performances by the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra, a Musical Instrument Petting Zoo, Workshops and Classes, Art and Fall Festivals across the county, and much more.

A complete list of the events planned during Delco Arts Week can be found on the Delco Arts Week website, linked below.

The Delaware County Arts Consortium, formed in 2009, has representatives from ten different Delaware County organizations and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance. They strive to advance the economic vitality of the nonprofit arts and culture community and promote the value of Delaware County’s cultural resources to the local community and beyond.

The group has worked to create Delco Arts Week to showcase the arts in Delco and engage and introduce residents to the many unique artistic venues and experiences that Delaware County has to offer. 

Delaware County is seeking board members for several County boards including:

• Delaware County Sustainability Commission 
• Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County
• Children and Youth Services
• Delaware County Solid Waste Authority
• Delaware County Drug & Alcohol Planning Council

Although the responsibilities and goals differ from one board to another, board members play a critical role in establishing oversight, defining the board’s mission and vision, improving the board’s focus and effectiveness, shaping the County’s culture, serving stakeholders, establishing and updating policies, setting goals, and measuring the board’s performance based on those goals.

Applications for the Delaware County Sustainability Commission will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 2, and applications for all other Boards will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. on Thurs., Oct. 15.

Applicants must be residents of Delaware County.

BOARD OPENING DETAILS

Delaware County Sustainability Commission

Location: Government Center Building, Media

Openings: 3 vacancies

Term Length: 3 years

Application Deadline: Mon., Oct. 2, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County

Location: Government Center Building, Media

Openings: 3 vacancies

Term Length: 3 years

Application Deadline: Thurs., Oct. 12, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Children and Youth Services

Location: Government Center Building, Media

Openings: 2 vacancies

Term Length: 3 years

Application Deadline: Thurs., Oct. 12, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Delaware County Solid Waste Authority

Location: 1521 N. Providence Road, Media, PA

Openings: 1 vacancy

Term: Ends 1/31/2026

Application Deadline: Thurs., Oct. 12, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Delaware County Drug & Alcohol Planning Council

Location: Government Center Building, Media

Openings: 6 vacancies

Terms: Terms vary [Labor term ends 9/2026; Medicine term ends 9/2026; Criminal Justice term ends 9/2025; Community term ends 9/2024; Student term ends 9/2025; and Recovery Person term ends 9/2024]

Application Deadline: Thurs., Oct. 12, 2023

Details: CLICK HERE

Delaware County encourages interested residents who can contribute their time, energy, and passion, to complete the brief online application. Applicants must provide their name, address, contact information, current employer/occupation, a brief explanation as to why they are interested in serving on a particular Board, and attach an up-to-date resume.

Delaware County is excited to host the first of two Career Fairs this fall on Thurs., Oct. 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Delaware County Emergency Services facility located at 360 N. Middletown Road, in Media. 

Multiple County departments are looking to hire, including the Delaware County Health Department, the Delaware County Department of Human Services, Information Technology (IT), Human Resources, the Bureau of Elections, the Park Police, the Fair Acres Geriatric Center, and the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Positions offer competitive employee benefits as well as opportunities for advancement. Interested applicants are advised to bring copies of their resume and will have the opportunity to apply in person during the fair. On-site interviews may be held for qualified attendees. 

Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the Recruitment Team to discuss open positions to gain a better understanding of the job duties and the benefits offered, and have the team review their resume and skill set to determine if they are a candidate for that position (or a different position that might be a better match). 

For a complete list of open positions, visit Delaware County website at delcopa.gov/jobs.

Walk-ins are welcome, though interested individuals are asked to pre-register at delcopa.gov/job-fair.

Delaware County job fairs are a great opportunity for individuals to meet with the recruitment team and discuss positions; however, qualified individuals who are interested in open positions are urged to apply online immediately if they are interested in a position. Applications and resumes can be submitted online today. 

Interested individuals who cannot attend the October 5 career fair will have the opportunity to attend the County’s second fall job fair on Tuesday, October 24 (same time and location).

We hope to see you there!

How to Enter the Contest 

To submit a name for consideration, go to DelcoPA.gov/NameOurPark, and complete the short entry form — including your suggested name, your reason for the name, and your contact information. The entry form takes less than five minutes!

Submissions must be received no later than Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 

The contest is open to Delaware County residents of all ages. All submissions must be submitted online. Entries should reflect the values of our community, celebrate our County's rich heritage, culture, and natural resources, and inspire a sense of inclusivity and togetherness. All submissions must be received online and only one submission per resident will be accepted. 

Complete contest rules can be found online at DelcoPA.gov/ContestRules.

So, get your thinking caps on Delaware County and submit your best idea! We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck! 

Delaware County Govt Official 2023 Calendar

Meet your Delaware County Council members

The Delaware County Health Department website