Toning Up Your Finances 
Those Facing Post-holiday Credit Card Blues Have Some Options For Getting Back
In Control.

Anna M. Bukeavich

By KALEN CHURCHER kchurcher@leader.net
 Sunday, January 06, 2002 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





ASHLEY - So far, nine people have begun working with the Earth Conservancy
to plan the overhaul of the Ashley Planes area into the Ashley Planes Heritage
Park. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 An additional 10 to 15 people will join the interpretive subcommittee in
the near future to form the project's steering committee, said Amy Gruzesky,
director of public affairs and development. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Ashley Planes are a set of three inclined planes that are a part of
about 500 acres of land parallel to sections of state Route 309. The planes
were used by railroad cars loaded with coal to go to the top of Wilkes-Barre
Mountain. Because of their significance to transportation and engineering
history, as well as their significance during Northeastern Pennsylvania's
anthracite era, the planes are listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The subcommittee includes individuals who lived in the area when the planes
were in operation and those who have a direct interest in the historical
aspects of the planes, including Jesse Teitelbaum, executive director of the
Luzerne County Historical Society, and Annie Sanders, who worked to have the
Ashley Planes placed on the registry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``One of the things about the Ashley Planes, because it's a historic site
... the internal subcommittee is working with Pennoni Associates to research
the various historical aspects of the land,'' Gruzesky said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gruzesky expects the engineering plans to be complete by summer, although
construction remains a few years away. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``In the initial portion of it, we'll probably focus on the visitor's
center which will be at the base,'' Gruzesky said. Once developed, the park
should include interpretive signs detailing various historical and
environmental aspects and eventually a picnic area. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The focus,'' Gruzesky said, ``will remain on the historic ruins that
remain in existence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kalen Churcher, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7329. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Group Works On Ashley Planes Park Plans 
Heritage Park Would Highlight The Significance Of The System For Transporting
Coal During The Region's Anthracite Era.

Group Works On Ashley Planes Park Plans Heritage Park Would Highlight The Significance Of The System For Transporting Coal During The Region's Anthracite Era.