Shenango River Watchers are transforming a sliver of land that has been used mostly as a dumping ground into a picnic area and canoe launch.

The property is off the Budd Street bridge between the Shenango River and the Shenango Valley Freeway in Sharon.

Judging from the wallets and purses that have been found there, "This has been a high crime area," said Rick Barborak, vice president of Shenango River Watchers.

"We're trying to clean it up a little bit," he said.

Volunteers started building the launch and two picnic pavilions Tuesday, and expect to complete the work today, Barborak said.

The Budd Street Canoe Launch project is a group effort made possible by many individuals and organizations.

The River Watchers received a grant from the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Fund for materials, and put in its own money from dues and donations.

Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. -- Shenango Valley Division sent a backhoe to dig out the bank -- much of which is slag -- for the canoe launch, which is being made of railroad ties donated by Duferco Farrell Corp., Farrell, and gravel.

The launch will open up the river to canoeists from the riffle just upstream to the dam behind Duferco.

"There's no access to the river in downtown Sharon for canoes," Barborak said.

River Watcher Jim Mondoc, manager of Mercer County Conservation District, designed the launch.

Inmates from the State Regional Correctional Facility, Findley Township, cleared brush and debris and the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps built the picnic pavilions.

MK Landscape, Hermitage, is giving trees and shrubs.

Slippery Rock University students Greg Holloway and Matt Shafer drew up plans for the pavilions and driveway.

Jennifer Barborak, president of Shenango River Watchers, said she is looking for donations of daffodils and other flowers to plant at the site, and eventually hopes to complete a trail to the Three By the River complex, which would allow walkers to make a loop from Bicentennial Park, which is across the river from the Budd Street Canoe Launch.

River Watchers and inmates at the state prison started preparing the site last July by clearing brush, cutting grass and moving large rocks.

You can contact Shenango River Watchers by calling (724) 342-5453

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