Looking to get outside with your pets this fall? Whether you’re going for your morning walk, a weekend trip out of the city, or just passing through, you can find dog-friendly parks and trails through the Brandywine Creek Greenway App. By utilizing your phones global positioning system (GPS), this app provides nearby recreational areas from the over 200 parks and trails in its database, in both English or Spanish. You can even filter your search to look for specific amenities, such as bicycle trails or picnic facilities. Each description contains information about the park, including additional weblinks, parking notes and tips—including whether the location is dog-friendly, for leashed-dogs, or features off-leash dog parks.

First observed in Ohio in 2012, Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) has since spread swiftly throughout the northeastern United States, reaching as far as Ontario, Canada. The disease affects seedlings, saplings and mature trees, and is believed to be caused by Litylenchus crenatae mccannii, an invasive nematode—or microscopic worm—that infiltrates the buds and leaves of American beech trees, depriving them of vital nutrients, gradually weakening the host and ultimately leading to its death. BLD poses a serious threat to the health and future of beech-dominant forest ecosystems.

Bamboo is a fast-growing woody grass often marketed as an option for planting privacy screens and windbreaks. While bamboo is beautiful and has many practical uses, it is very challenging to control or remove and should be planted with extreme caution—and certain types should not be planted at all.

After two years of research, community engagement, and strategic planning, the Mason-Dixon/Arc Corner Heritage Interpretation and Connectivity Plan is entering its final review phase. This initiative brings together four neighboring municipalities—London Britain, New Garden, Franklin, and Elk Townships—to celebrate and share their region’s unique history while strengthening connections between heritage, community, and recreation.

Beautiful and peaceful, ponds grace our neighborhoods, parks, and backyards with a sense of calm and connection to nature. They provide quiet places for reflection, shelter for wildlife, and essential support for healthy ecosystems.