Clark Kent Creations -- Swarthmore, PA. Landscape Design and Construction, Hardscaping, Patios
  • Home
  • Services/Photos
    • Hardscaping >
      • A Flagstone Walkway -- The Process
      • Stone Steps -- The Process
    • Wood Fences
    • Exterior Carpentry
  • About
  • Community

The Creeks of Delaware County

9/14/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
Winter Recreation on Crum Creek
A few months back I posted about Swarthmore College’s bucolic Scott Arboretum, and the great recreational opportunities available.  As I mentioned in that post, the arboretum is situated along the banks of Crum Creek, a decent-sized creek that meanders through the heart of Delaware County, PA.

What I didn’t mention in that post is that Crum Creek is one of three large creeks that run through the heart of Delaware County, and all converge within just a few miles of each other into the Delaware River;  The aforementioned Crum Creek, Ridley Creek, and Chester Creek.

And each of these three creeks has its own unique characteristics, history, and recreational opportunities.

Chester Creek originates in East Whiteland Township, Chester County, and flows 24 miles to its confluence with the Delaware River in Chester City, Pennsylvania, near the park named for William Penn’s first landing.  In addition to be a drinking water source for parts of Chester and Delaware counties, the creek is a well utilized trout stocking fishery and home to a number of hiking trails and nature preserves. The lower portion of the creek near Chester City has been referred to as Chester River, and historically has been home to a number of mills that were vital to the early colonial development of the region.

Picture
The Chester Ridley Crum Watershed
Ridley Creek rises in eastern Chester County in East Whiteland Township in the campus of Immaculata University, and then flows 24 miles southeast through Chester and Delaware Counties to its confluence with the Delaware River between Chester City and Eddystone Borough.  It is the primary water source for approximately 40,000 Delaware County residents.  Ridley Creek is perhaps best known as being the central feature of its namesake state park Ridley Creek State Park, with numerous recreational opportunities centered around the creek.  In addition to being home to a native Brown Trout population, it is also stocked annually with Brown and Rainbow Trout.

Crum Creek, meaning “Crooked Creek” in Dutch, flows 24 miles from the Schuylkill/Delaware drainage ridgeline that follows Monument and King Roads in Malvern and Route 30 in Paoli, through Chester and Delaware Counties to its confluence with the Delaware River in Eddystone at the Boeing plant.  In addition to supplying drinking water to 200,000 Delco residents, Crum Creek also provides numerous recreational opportunities.  Unlike Chester and Ridley Creeks, there is no stocking of trout in Crum Creek, however it is host to the largest native trout population of the three creeks. Recreational opportunities include biking and hiking trails in Smedley Park straddling between Springfield and Nether Providence Townships, and the Swarthmore College Scott Arboretum.  Like Chester and Ridley Creeks, Crum Creek also was host to a number of mills and manufacturing plants during the colonial and industrial era

As a long-time resident and native of Delaware County, I grew up playing in these creeks from an early age, and they still hold a special place in my heart. To me, they are the central arteries of Delaware County.  
 
However, like many waterways throughout the country, they are threatened by pollution, development, sediment, stormwater runoff, erosion, and a number of other threats.  
 
Fortunately there is a group is working hard to preserve these creeks and maintain their livelihood.  The Chester - Ridley - Crum Watersheds Association (CRC) is a nonprofit organization devoted to the protection of water resources and the natural environment of the Chester, Ridley, and Crum Creek Valleys, and the health, recreational, and quality of life benefits they afford the residents of this region.  For more information about these creeks, check out their website at www.crcwatersheds.org.

** The above map and some of the information above is courtesy of the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association

4 Comments
Matt link
9/17/2012 10:30:25 am

That top picture brings back some great memories for me. My brothers and I lived for pond hockey growing up. We would get out early and skate all day into darkness..those were some fun times.

Reply
Clark link
9/18/2012 04:36:44 am

I have very similar childhood memories myself Matt. I still try to lace them up every now and then when time and weather conditions permit. Something very innocent about seeing kids skating on a pond or creek...

Reply
Chip Watkins
9/22/2015 07:42:34 am

I grew up in Springfield, from 1956-72, and my earliest memory of learning to skate was in the winter on Crum Creek. Went on to play hockey for the Springfield Athletic Association/Blue Line Hockey Club. Played hookey one cold January day, and with friends, skated from Bishop Hollow Road to Springton Dam and back.

Reply
Philz Landscaping & Contracting LLC link
7/7/2023 04:11:36 am

Thanks for sharing this interesting information about the three creeks in Delaware County, PA. It's great to learn about their unique characteristics and recreational opportunities. The historical significance of Chester Creek is particularly fascinating, with its role in the colonial development of the region. Appreciate the insights!




Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Company

    Clark Kent Creations, LLC is a full-service landscape construction company servicing the Pennsylvania communities of Delaware County, Chester County, The Main Line, and the University City, Art Museum, and Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia.  In addition to this blog page, additional information regarding the company and our services can be found on the subsequent pages of the site.
    Picture

    Author

    Clark Linderman is the president of Clark Kent Creations, LLC, a landscape construction company based in Swarthmore, PA.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.  In addition to his passion for all things outdoors, he counts Michigan football, Phillies baseball, Superman memorabilia, Memphis R&B music, and good craft brews among his many interests.  He currently resides in Swarthmore with his wife, Sheila, two sons, his dog Krypto, and a really, really messy garage full of work supplies and toys.

    Picture
    Contact Us:
    Clark Kent Creations, LLC
    Swarthmore, PA
    Design and Construction to Maximize Your Outdoor Experience

    707-290-9410
    [email protected]
    Serving Delaware County, PA

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Categories

    All
    Business And The Front Office
    Carpentry
    Environmental Issues
    Fencing
    Guest Posts
    Hardscaping
    Inspiration And Design Ideas
    Places & Local Interest
    Ramblings
    Seasonal
    Snack Break
    Water Features

    Archives

    July 2015
    September 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Like my Blog?

    If you like the content of my blog posts, here are a few other blogs that I check in on regularly:

    Stone Soup:  A Master Stone Mason shares his craft.

    Arcadia Gardens:  Plenty of great tips about horticulture and landscape design.  A great blog (even though she's an MSU Spartan!)

    Revolutionary Gardens:  A Virginia-based landscape designer shares his work and ideas.

    Rockin Walls:  A certified dry stone mason from Maryland shares his projects and tricks of the trade

    If you have or know of a blog that you think I might be interested in, just let me know.  If I like it I just may add it to the list!

    RSS Feed

    All content ©2013
    Clark Kent Creations, LLC
Proudly powered by Weebly