Wildflower Garden, Bench Dedicated Along Bald Eagle Valley Trail

IMG 7548: Cindy and Jack Caprio with their dogs Irma and Olive, sit on a bench along the Bald Eagle Valley Trail they and sons Vito, Vincent and Gabriel, recently donated in memory of their son, Roman. Photo Courtesy Clinton County Visitors Bureau

Cindy and Jack Caprio second from left, along with their dogs Olive and Irma, gather with Clinton County Commissioners Angela Harding and Jeff Snyder and Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail President Wayne McCollough, at a newly-installed bench along the trail, placed in memory of the Caprio’s son, Roman. Photo Courtesy Clinton County Visitors Bureau

Wayne McCollough, President of the Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail group, leads a dedication ceremony Saturday along the trail for a wildflower garden placed in memory of Bill and Carrie Eisemann, and a bench placed in honor of Roman Caprio. Photo Courtesy Clinton County Visitors Bureau

The McGinniss family poses with the plaque to be placed at a new wildflower garden along the Bald Eagle Valley Trail, dedicated to the memory of Tina’s parents, Bill and Carrie Eisemann. Tina and her husband Ron McGinniss are in front, and from left is Ron’s sister Patty, Ron and Tina’s daughter Katie, her son Robbie and husband Clay, their son Andy and is wife Tara, with daughters Maddie and Makayla. Photo Courtesy Clinton County Visitors Bureau

Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail President Wayne McCollough, second from left, and Clinton County Commissioners Angela Harding, left, and Jeff Snyder, right, stand with Ron and Tina McGinniss at a recently-planted wildflower garden along the trail, named in loving memory of Tina’s parents, Bill and Carrie Eisemann. -Photo Courtesy Clinton County Visitors Bureau

LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Friends of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail hosted two very special dedications along the walking/bicycling trail on Saturday. A recently-planted native wildflower garden was dedicated in loving memory of long-time Lock Haven residents Bill and Carrie Eisemann by their daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Ron McGinniss and their family, and the first bench purchased for along the trail was dedicated in loving memory of Roman Caprio by his parents, Cindy and Jack, and his brothers, Vito, Vincent and Gabriel Caprio.

Friends president Wayne McCollough thanked the McGinniss and Caprio families for their generosity and said the garden and bench fit in well with the group’s goal of promoting and enhancing the trail.

Members of both families were on hand for the dedication, as were Clinton County Commissioners Angela Harding and Jeff Snyder and County Planner Katie de Silva. Also present were several members of the Friends group and representatives from the Clinton County Master Gardeners, who McCollough said lent their expertise in planning and supporting the creation of the garden.

Tina McGinniss said her parents would truly appreciate the garden along the trail. She laughingly said she didn’t think she could identify many of the wildflowers planted there, but was certain her father could have.

Cindy Caprio said the bench was a gift from her sons as a Christmas present to her in memory of their brother, Roman, who passed away at age 12. Son Gabe Caprio had formerly worked in the County Planning Department and served as manager of the nearly 12-mile trail, which continues to be developed in phases by the County.

“Pass the word,” said Jack Caprio. “We want people to appreciate this trail and we hope they think about the Eisemann’s and Roman when they’re here.”

The bench and garden are side by side along the Bald Eagle Valley Trail and are located in the rails-to-trails section that traverses between Castanea and McElhattan.