McKaig Nature Education Center

20 volunteers planted 33 trees and shrubs on Saturday in the meadow near map marker gold 71. The plants were donated through our Adopt-a-tree and Gift-a-tree programs. Thank you to all the donors! These native plants were selected by our landscape architect for not only their beauty and environmental impact but for their animal habitat value as well. Please join us in appreciating the volunteer efforts. For information on the Adopt and Gift programs please visit www.EnjoyMcKaig.org/donate

Three interesting comments these local girl scouts had after completing their Hiker merit badge this past weekend: "I learned poison ivy leaves can have many colors" "I never noticed 2 trunk trees before" "Do all the frogs in McKaig wear hats?" Please visit www.EnjoyMcKaig.org > Scouting > Girl Scouts for more information.

Girl Scouts from troops 7830 and 7343 completed their Woodworker merit badge. Skills learned: sawing, hammer and nails, screws and screwdrivers along with leveling. Each scout made a "homework helper" stand (for some reason, the scouts called them "phone stands"?!?) All the wood used for the skills practice and projects was from fallen Ash trees in the McKaig park.

, . This was an unusual year for all of us, including the McKaig Nature Center community. Yet, after each setback, we overcame. We’d like to thank you for your support and appreciate your continued commitment to keeping the McKaig park an enjoyable place to visit.... Everyone’s world was turned upside down with the Covid lockdowns. Early on, our Board of Directors decided that keeping the park’s trails open would be a priority to help with the mental and physical health of our community. We converted the trails to be one way and added a bridge so we could be safely distanced. In April, May and June we experienced a huge increase in park visitors and want to thank everyone for following the safety restrictions while enjoying the park's treasures. In early June a rare derecho brought near tornado strength winds and heavy rain to our area which toppled many trees and caused some erosion damage. We quickly worked to remove hazards and to divert foot traffic away from perilous trails. 2 weeks later, several oaks and a large red maple fell blocking the Nancy Lang trail, we closed the trail for a couple of weeks until the path was cleared. The morning of July 10th, more than five inches of rain fell causing severe trail erosion, damaging 2 bridges and destroying another. With the great support from volunteers and staff, the park’s damage was repaired and rebuilt. Moving forward to 2021, our events committee will soon announce the lineup of fun, healthy and educational events. Sincerely, The Board of Directors and Park Ranger Vytas

Roberts Schoolhouse circa 1890. During the late 1800s, the student enrollment was so large that parents built a second story along with an anteroom to Roberts S...choolhouse. According to local resident Jay Walker, his father William Bud Walker (born 1915) received the original photograph (below) from the mother of his friend Walt Weaver (born 1915). Mrs. Weaver wrote Roberts School House, where I graduated from. The two story schoolhouse was in use until 1919 when the Upper Merion Unified School District closed about half of the 26 schools in the township, including Roberts. After being abandoned, the Schoolhouse fell into disrepair and finally collapsed in on itself during the early 1950s. The King of Prussia Historical Society raised funds and rebuilt the original one story Schoolhouse in the early 1960s. Bud Walker added Walt Weavers Mother in ball point pen. The original photo was made using platinum-based developing materials (1870s-1920s) resulting in relatively stable prints. The price of platinum made printing very expensive.

It's a beautiful day for a walk through the woods! Sunrise over Monkey Rock

Do you think the best time to be out in the woods is during a snowstorm?

Willing to trade a that was found along the trails of McKaig for the Model S, or a McKaig membership, or just a good ol' thank you.

Join us in thanking the Wayne Woods Garden Club for their efforts in beautifying and maintaining the flower beds and adding holiday decorations to the Old Roberts Schoolhouse. We are also grateful that the Club members make the Cadet trail head at Croton Road more beautiful with flowers and plants near the informational kiosk. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/waynewoods.gardenclub.58