Conno Creek now a recreation venue
The Allegheny Aquatic Alliance was formed to remove tires and other debris from the Connoquenessing Creek, once the second most polluted waterway in the United States.
While the volunteer nonprofit group has indeed pulled 4,455 tires and 415,983 pounds of trash from the “Connie” over the past eight years, it also wanted to find a way to entice others to enjoy the scenic creek that meanders through Butler County.
So alliance president Mike Handley and alliance volunteers installed six launches at various points on the creek where canoes and kayaks can be launched, anglers can wet a line, and families can enjoy a picnic or throw a ball in the creek for their dog to fetch.
Alliance volunteers worked with township public works crews to clear banks and place large, flat stone steps from parking areas down to the creek and rustic picnic tables in grassy areas. They've install handmade signboards to announce alliance events or detail the history of that part of the creek, and attach used fishing line receptacles to a post so unused line can be recycled and not threaten fish and wildlife.
The alliance maintains the launches throughout the summer by weeding, pressure-washing the stones and cleaning up trash.
Handley said that on a nice day, cars can be seen at most launches. That leads him to believe folks who would never have dreamed of kayaking are enjoying the sport, which can be pursued by people of almost all ages and states of fitness.
“People think kayaks are unstable and tippy, but they're very stable,” Handley said. “Paddling on the Connie is one of the safest, most enjoyable recreation opportunities for all skill levels of kayaking and canoeing.”He said the number of kayakers has quadrupled in the past few years as more launches have become available.The alliance volunteers have installed one or two launches every year.The latest launch to be built is in Butler off Kittanning Street near the city's public works facility, where some of the creek's best fishing can be found.Work on that launch began May 11 and will be ready for the summer season, Handley said.The current launches are off Meridian Road in Penn Township near the park in Renfrew, on Eckstein Road in Forward Township (launch and fishing only), the Major Washington launch on Ash Stop Road in Forward Township, the Wild Waterways launch at Porter's Cove in Jackson Township and the Zelienople launch on Halstead Boulevard.Paddlers can continue into Beaver County to Christian's Launch in Fombell, and the Allegheny Aquatic Alliance launch off McKim Street in Lawrence County.Handley said the alliance will build another new launch in Ellwood City near the Beaver River.“It's just really nice that we are getting people (who) haven't been out there before,” he said.The alliance also holds various paddling events on the creek each year that are open to the public.Those interested in the launches or events, or potential volunteers for the 2019 creek cleanups in July and September, can learn more at www.alleghenyaquaticalliance.com.
