GC2AXGG Don Harrison Community Trail Dedication CITO Cache (Traditional Cache) in Pennsylvania, United States created by attending cachers and members of the conservancy

GC2AXGG ▼

A cache by attending cachers and members of the conservancy Message this owner

Hidden : 6/27/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

You may get to this cache from one of the many trail heads along the Don Harrison Community Trail. The nearest two are listed as additional waypoints. It is recommended that you park in Murrysville Community Park and enter via the Valley Trail which is located just past the last baseball field in the park. Beulah Lane is a private driveway and is severely rough, do not attempt to drive up Beulah Lane.

This geocache is placed in honor of all those in attendance of The Don Harrison Community Trail CITO Event, which was held Saturday, June 26th, 2010. The event was held by the Pittsburgh Area Geocaching Association and The Westmoreland Conservatory. A CITO, or Cache In Trash Out, event allows geocachers to combine a social event with a way to give back to the reserves, parks and green spaces in which they "play". These types of events bring together large groups of people armed with trash bags, gloves and sunscreen and ready to wage war on the dreaded litterbug. Past CITOs have been highly successful in removing bottles, tires, and other assorted trash, leaving a cleaner, more beautiful park for all to enjoy.

During the CITO event, geocachers spent ten hours on the reserve pulling out bag after bag of trash. The impact created was very clear by the end of the day, we had gathered an extraordinary pile of garage bags piled up on the curb. When transporting the trash bags to the curb, we managed to fill a red Ford Excursion twice and a Dodge Ram pickup six or seven times. Even with a full days work, we were not able to completely rid the property of trash. If you have the time when finding this cache, please feel free to bring a trash bag along and remove a bag of trash during your visit.

Don Harrison is a former 4-term president of Westmoreland Conservancy. It was during his tenure that we became land owners and acquired the King, Walter, Tomer and Flinn Reserves. He did the groundwork for the Potter's Corner acquisition, which was completed right after his term expired, and he was was involved in all aspects of the Caywood Reserve... See More process. Of the 265 acres currently owned by the Westmoreland Conservancy, Don had a role in acquiring all but the 52-acre McGinnis Reserve. We thought this would be fitting recognition for all that he has done for the Conservancy and the community.

I would like to include a special thanks to all those who participated and helped with making this event possible. Without the help of both the cachers and conservancy members who were in attendance, none of this would have happened. Our efforts made a clear and beneficial impact on the land.

Also, to all those who trek though the woods, please stop and remember those whom have spent countless hours to make the land available for you to use. Groups such as the Westmoreland Conservancy have been spent countless hours and dollars working toward protecting land. Remember the goals of organizations like these are to protect our local wildlife and vegetation. Please take careful steps when hunting for caches as not to trample plants and leave behind garbage. When hiding new caches, please place them in such a way that the impact of cachers on vegetation will be minimal.

This cache was placed with permission of the Westmoreland Conservancy. Many of the members of the conservancy were present when hiding the cache. The logbook has also received official endorsement indicating that such permissions were granted.

Group toast in honor of Don Harrision:

Don Harrison receiving a plaque from the Westmoreland Conservancy, honoring him for all in which he has done for the community.

Cachers loading up truckloads of trash:

What a bunch of cachers can do with a little effort!

Photos by Shelly Tichy and Cary Bohl. Last image of trash pile by Red07z