How an Eagle Scout and a local art student are bringing books, birds, and a little extra creativity to the Blue Green Connector.
Sometimes, the smallest additions to a landscape can make a big difference. Along the Blue Green Connector, restoration isn’t just about improving the health of the Little Conestoga Creek. It’s also about creating opportunities for people to connect with nature, learn something new, and contribute to their community.
At Noel Dorwart Park, a creative collaboration between a local Eagle Scout and a Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D) student is bringing that vision to life, one Little Free Library at a time.
Building Something That Lasts: An Eagle Scout’s Contribution
For Josh Beck, a member of Boy Scout Troop 349 at Penn Manor High School, earning the rank of Eagle Scout meant more than completing a project. It was an opportunity to create something meaningful for his community.
Josh, who is also a baseball player, took on the challenge of constructing three Little Free Libraries for the Blue Green Connector. These small, weather-resistant book-sharing stations will offer visitors a place to discover a new story, share a favorite read, and enjoy a moment of curiosity along the trail.
His work represents the kind of community involvement that makes the Blue Green Connector special. While the project is transforming the landscape through environmental restoration and accessible trails, contributions from young leaders like Josh help shape the experiences people will have along the way.
And thanks to a creative partnership, one of those libraries is becoming something even more special.
Where Art Meets Nature: A Creative Collaboration with PCA&D
Enter Eliza Moulder, an Illustration Major, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (PCA&D), who has been putting her artistic talents to work transforming one of Josh’s handcrafted libraries into a colorful celebration of local wildlife.
Inspired by the native birds found along the Little Conestoga Creek corridor, Eliza’s design brings together art, environmental education, and the natural beauty of the Blue Green Connector.
Her bird-themed Little Free Library is more than a place to exchange books. It’s an opportunity to spark curiosity about the wildlife that calls this landscape home and the biodiversity that restoration efforts are working to support.
As native plants take root, habitats recover, and ecological connections are strengthened, birds are an important part of the story. They remind us that a healthier creek corridor benefits more than the water flowing through it. It creates opportunities for wildlife to thrive and for people to rediscover the natural world around them.
Through Eliza’s artwork, visitors can make those connections in a fun, approachable way.
More Than a Trail, More Than a Library
The Blue Green Connector has always been envisioned as more than a 3.5-mile accessible greenway. It’s a place where environmental restoration, recreation, education, and art come together to create meaningful experiences for the community.
The Little Free Libraries are a wonderful example of that vision in action.
A simple stop along the trail can become an opportunity to pick up a book, learn about a native bird, start a conversation, or inspire a young visitor to look more closely at the nature surrounding them.
It’s also a reminder that community partnerships come in many forms. From an Eagle Scout contributing his craftsmanship to a college student sharing her creativity, these projects demonstrate how individuals of all ages can leave a lasting mark on their community.
Discover a New Story at Noel Dorwart Park
Now featured at Noel Dorwart Park, the Little Free Library project adds another layer of discovery to the Blue Green Connector experience.
And the creativity doesn’t stop at the library itself! Eliza has also designed a collection of fun, interactive materials to help visitors explore the birds and biodiversity found along the Little Conestoga Creek. From an illustrated bird zine and bird bingo activity to colorful stickers and bookmarks, these free resources invite visitors of all ages to learn, explore, and connect with nature in new ways.
Whether you’re stopping by to exchange a book, challenge yourself to spot birds during your walk, or pick up a bookmark or sticker, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Take a book. Spot a bird. Discover something new.
The next time you visit Noel Dorwart Park, be sure to check out the Little Free Library and explore the creative resources available to the public. Behind this small library is a big story of youth leadership, artistic expression, environmental education, and a shared commitment to creating a healthier, more connected Lancaster County.
Because sometimes, building a stronger community starts with something as simple as sharing a story, and discovering nature right outside our door.
Join Us for a Spook-tacular Celebration of Nature!
Want to experience Eliza’s creativity firsthand? Join the Blue Green Connector and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for Trick or Tree-t on Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to noon!
This family-friendly event brings together environmental stewardship and Halloween fun, featuring tree planting, educational activities, games, and a costume contest.
Be sure to stop by the Blue Green Connector’s table, where we’ll be showcasing Eliza’s bird-inspired artwork and sharing her specially designed stickers, bookmarks, and illustrated bird zine. Families can also participate in a fun bird search activity, encouraging young explorers to discover the feathered friends that call the Little Conestoga Creek corridor home.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate local creativity, connect with nature, and help grow a healthier watershed—all while enjoying a little Halloween fun!
Ready to join us? Learn more and register for Trick or Tree-t!
