(Sunbury Wetland Ecological Educational Park) is a transformative, community-driven initiative revitalizing 4.5 acres of underutilized land into a vibrant urban green space focused on wellness, education, and ecological preservation. Long before becoming a sanctuary for wildlife and outdoor recreation, the S.W.E.E.P. From 1851 to 1977, the curved train tracks—nicknamed “The Horn” by locals—carried
freight and passengers through Sunbury, shaping both the landscape and the city’s history. When the tracks were removed in 1977, the area fell into disrepair, becoming a hotspot for illegal dumping, crime, and urban blight. Launched in 2018 by former Sunbury Mayor Kurt Karlovich, the S.W.E.E.P. project was envisioned as a powerful response to environmental neglect and social decline. The vision was clear: to replace debris and decay with wetlands, trails, and community spaces. The project’s early momentum was driven by dedicated volunteers, including Boy Scout Troop 333, who partnered with the City of Sunbury in 2021. Their early efforts—removing trash, clearing invasive overgrowth, and assisting with planning—paved the way for what would become a citywide collaboration. Today, the S.W.E.E.P. site is anchored by a thriving Palustrine wetland, which naturally filters approximately 392,000 gallons of water per day, mitigating flood risks and improving water quality. The wetland now supports a variety of native flora and fauna, including frogs, ducks, herons, and diverse plant life. Interpretive signage will offer visitors insight into wetland ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability—all within walking distance of downtown Sunbury. The park will be preserved in its natural state outside of designated trails. Amenities will include off-street parking, a community pavilion, and informative signs, creating an inclusive space for recreation, learning, and wellness. In 2021, the S.W.E.E.P. Stewardship Program was launched to engage youth in hands-on conservation, environmental education, and public service. Participants contribute to trail maintenance, habitat restoration, wellness programming, and beautification—while gaining leadership skills and a deeper connection to their environment. S.W.E.E.P. is built on a foundation of volunteerism, donations, and grant funding. Since its inception, over 8,000 hours of service have been contributed by organizations such as the Shikellamy JROTC, Sunbury Rotary Club, Sunbury Fire Department, North Central Pennsylvania Bikers for Justice, Girl Scout Troops 350, 610G, Boy Scout troops 333, 610B, Service Electric Cablevision, and many others. Urban greenspaces like S.W.E.E.P. play a critical role in reducing crime, fostering community ties, and improving mental and physical health. By providing a safe, natural gathering place for residents of all ages, S.W.E.E.P. is not only restoring land—it’s revitalizing lives. Phase One (Completed August 2022):
Converted the Old Horn Railroad embankment into a gravel, ADA-accessible wellness trail
Installed new sidewalks and street curbing to improve accessibility
Phase Two (In Progress as of May 2025):
Constructing two additional ADA-accessible trails:
One through the heart of the park
One along the N. 8th Street hillside
Building a pavilion with ADA-compliant restrooms
Continued sidewalk and curbing enhancements for accessibility
Here are some news links on the S.W.E.E.P. project.
05/30/2025
https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/upgrades-coming-to-ecological-park-in-sunbury-northumberland-county/523-6b4024c7-57d2-4cd1-be12-534b340904d5
04/11/2023
https://www.northcentralpa.com/community/sunbury-to-add-new-green-space-downtown/article_ec3dc2c8-d7d8-11ed-8c1e-c7be79f040e4.html
01/17/2023
https://www.wkok.com/podcast/1-17-23-wkok-sunrise-kurt-karlovich/?fbclid=IwAR2ocyReAvKPd4NPche6dKtSuCgth_Jqb62ygHfEBZoHbRlAq45DjI6Jddo -604437
January 14,2023
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/wetlands-continues-to-gain-support-evangelical-community-hospital-first-to-name-trail/article_620c97ba-91d2-11ed-aacc-77d51c05b9cf.html
November 15, 2022
https://www.dailyitem.com/wetlands-project-raises-more-money-work-to-resume-in-spring/article_91dd11bc-651e-11ed-915b-03e3cdff1744.html
September 27, 2022
https://www.wkok.com/geisinger-sponsoring-wetland-educational-park-in-sunbury/
September 16, 2022
https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/sweep-project-taking-shape-in-sunbury-wetland-ecological-educational-park/523-b73774ec-af62-4139-82da-1f3ca4d54bdf
August 23, 2022
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/local_news/karlovich-wetland-project-continues-to-move-forward/article_f7776380-2273-11ed-87df-dbbb0670217d.html?fbclid=IwAR1LIT7lxovlbC9eTk6qZsRlnrjDOXpZXI6wD-o-eyqChHhYxr6NQdQm-iw
July 25, 2022
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/sunbury-wetland-project-to-break-ground-in-less-than-one-month/article_d00d2ee8-0c6f-11ed-bd2d-4b19fa37c0af.amp.html
December 14, 2021
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/sunbury-rotary-club-gives-5-800-to-wetlands-project/article_4e96ff8c-5d11-11ec-8e55-bbc301b3b0e7.html
May1, 2021
https://www.dailyitem.com/news/scouts-honored-for-service-at-wetlands/article_b4b0b946-a819-11eb-bca9-530a6ed8cef8.amp.html
March 21, 2021
https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/nature-park-project-underway-in-sunbury/523-34b5c9a4-19b3-49d6-badb-ce45f2572d9e
S.W.E.E.P. Committee: 5 year terms
• Kurt Karlovich - Appointed 2025 - Originally appointed 2021
• Donald Rouse - Appointed 2025 - Originally appointed 2021
• Joe Judy - Appointed 2025 - Originally appointed 2021
• Pablo Santos - Appointed 2025
Hero Sponsors:
•Geisinger
•Evangelical Community Hospital
•
Advocate Sponsors:
•Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships
•Purdy Insurance Agency Incorporated
•TNT Home Health
Partner Sponsors:
•American Heart Association in Memory of Doris M. Korberger & G. Wilson Mottern
•Beiter's Furniture
•Commonwealth University of PA
•Fraternal Order of Eagles 503
•Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC
•Hummels Wharf Fire Company
•Jo's Equipment & Supply
•Kurt Karlovich
•New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc.
•Original Italian Pizza of Sunbury
•PPL Electric Utilities
•Reading Anthracite Company
•Rotary Club Sunbury
•Scout Troop 333
•Selinsgrove Ford
•Shamokin Dam Fire Company in memory of Steve Rowe
•Sierra Club North Central PA
•Sunbury Motor Company
•Sunbury Police Officers Association
•VFW Post 1532 on behalf of John Neidig Foundation
•Zimmerman Chrysler Dodge Jeep & Ram Truck
Ally Sponsors:
•Americus Hose Company
•East Sunbury Hose Company
•Good Will Hose Company
•Lloyds Landscapes Inc. PROJECT GRANT FUNDING: City of Sunbury recipient of funding. Construction Fundin:
• Truist Bank Foundation Grant $7,000. 06/2021.
• Community Development Block Grant - CDBG 2021. $58,000. Phase 1.
• Rotary Club of Sunbury, Grant $5,800 11/08/2021. Educational Signs.
•CDBG reallocation. $51,815. 11/22/2021. Phase 1.
•Community Conservation Partnerships Program administered by the Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) $129,600. 9/7/2022 Phase 2.
•1994 Charles B. Foundation $129,600. DCNR match 11/14/2022 Phase 2.
•Degenstein Foundation $5,000 12/2022. Phase 1.
• 1994 Charles B Degenstein Foundation $65,000 09/04/2024 Phase 2. SWEEP Stewardship Program Funding:
•Charles B. Degenstein Foundation $1,000 02/14/2023. SWEEP Stewardship Program.
•Charles and Betty Degenstein Foundation $4,000 01/05/2024 SWEEP Stewardship Program.
• Charles B Degenstein Foundation $3,000 05/2025 SWEEP Stewardship Program
The SWEEP is reliant on grants, donations, and volunteerism for continued growth. The donation will help fund material needed for volunteers to preserve and improve the park experience through hands on monthly community service overseen by the S.W.E.E.P Committee Stewardship Program for the City of Sunbury. Charitable contributions to qualified organizations are deductible. Ally Sponsorship $250
• Name listed on S.W.E.E.P. social media page.
• Name listed on the Friends of the S.W.E.E.P. sign. Sign will be installed at the park at completion of construction. Partner Sponsorship $500 or more
• Name and LOGO listed on S.W.E.E.P. social media page.
• Name and LOGO listed on the Friends of the S.W.E.E.P. Advocate Sponsorship $3,000
• Same benefits as Partner, plus:
• 6-foot steel bench made in Pennsylvania with a 2"x10" plaque installed at the park. The plaque can contain the business logo with short phrase or in memory/dedication. Color will be forest green. Bench will be installed within park at completion of construction. Hero Sponsorship $10,000 Donation can be made in full, or two $5,000, or four $2,500 annual payments.
• Same benefits as Partner, plus:
• Naming one of the three wellness trails. This Includes:
Three trail marker signs with logo and trail name installed along the wellness trail. Signs will be installed within park at completion of construction. Please make payable to: City of Sunbury
Note payment as: "SWEEP Committee & the sponsor level":
Mail to: Sunbury Mayors Office - 225 Market Street Sunbury PA 17801
Email digital logo for use. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charitable-contribution-deductions
Interested in partnering with the SWEEP project, donating, volunteering or have a community service or Eagle Scout project in mind? Email [email protected] or call the Sunbury Mayors Office at 570-286-7820 for more information on SWEEP. WAIVER AND RELEASE
TO ALL USERS OF THE SUNBURY SWEEP REAL PROPERTY: In consideration of your personal access to the grounds of the Sunbury Wetlands Ecological and Educational Park (SWEEP) please be advised that, as present in any and all outdoor activity areas, there exists the risk of serious injury and/or death from various activities in which you may participate hereon. By your use of this facility/area, you KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown. Further, you hereby willingly agree to comply with all stated rules relative to this area. Therefore, by and through your presence in this area, YOU HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE OWNERS AND OPERATORS HEREOF TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
