On Saturday, June 1, our county, state, and borough representatives, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Executive Director Ryan Beltz, —and our special guest of honor, Delaware Tribe of Indians Cultural Education Director Jeremy Johnson—all gathered for the Dedication and Naming Ceremony for Collegeville Borough’s new Welakamike Creekside Park.
The park exists due to their support, along with grants from the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the PA Fish and Boat Commission, and $30,000 personally donated by Mark Marino, Owner of the Duck Inn.
Blessing the Welakamike Creekside Park. From left: Ursinus College President Robyn Hannigan, PA Senator Tracy Pennycuick, PA Representative Joe Webster, Delaware Tribe of Indians Cultural Education Director Jeremy Johnson, Collegeville Mayor Aidsand Wright-Riggins, County Commissioner Jamila Winder, and Collegeville Borough Council President Cathy Kernen
In a moving ceremony, Jeremy Johnson discussed the importance to him and The Delaware Tribe of being warmly welcomed back and recognized as the original indigenous inhabitants of Collegeville after 158 years, and of the naming the park “Welakamike,” which in Lenape means “Beautiful Place.” He then invited the dignitaries to help him bless the park with a gift of tobacco leaves.
About 80 Collegeville residents and boaters participating in the Perkiomen Creek Sojourn that day were in attendance. Lunch was served afterwards to everyone attending.
View photos of the 2024 Perkiomen Creek Sojourn and Creekside Park Dedication.
The GPS address of the park is 107 W. First Ave., Collegeville (map it), or use the name Welakamike Creekside Park (map it). The park extends along the Perkiomen Creek from Main Street to roughly the end of the Collegeville Shopping Center. It currently contains a parking lot, boat launch, and entrance to a cleared trail along the creek. Picnic tables will be installed early next year. More information is available on the Borough of Collegeville website.
