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By Chrysa Smith
Yardley has some unusual residents. Not the two-legged variety, or even the four. They’re more of the varnished fiberglass type. They’re artistically embellished ducks. And they’re perched on lawns and in public places throughout downtown. They’re fun. They’re colorful. And they’re the product of an ingenious group of citizens. They are determined to make Yardley a tight-knit community, bring visitors into town and invite them to do a little shopping, dining, and walking—all in their little corner of Bucks County.
The four-foot high, five-foot long, two-and-a-half-foot wide structures were dreamt up by Experience Yardley—the town’s group that sponsors this and a host of other programs. I sat with President of the Board of Experience Yardley, Liz Young, and volunteer extraordinaire, Cindy Fatsis at the town’s corner Starbucks. According to Liz, the organization was established around 2008-2009 with a small group of volunteers, that were responsible for area events such as Music off Main (their summer concert series), Canal-o-ween (their Halloween event), Second Saturdays (shopping event), Porch Parties (town gatherings at the bookstore) and a mural on the parking lot side of a historic downtown building. “We were looking for ideas to engage residents and bring business downtown, and within the 19067-zip code (Yardley Borough, Lower Makefield Township and Morrisville),” Liz says. And with the success of their programs, word is spreading—past the borough and into surrounding communities.
“Yardley is changing,” Cindy adds, “There are new restaurants and bars. I’d say it’s revitalizing.” And it’s not the first time. Liz talks about a period when the downtown was full of real estate offices. But time and changing demographics ultimately changed the fabric of the downtown. And now, ducks are doing the same thing.
“We started the project during Covid,” says Cindy. That’s when one of their volunteers came up with an idea for reenergizing people and businesses –cheerleading some spirit for coming back together. It’s not the first time a ‘placemaking project’, as Liz refers to it, was done. Some years back, you may remember the Miles of Mules that stretched from the Delaware Canal up through Doylestown. Conversation pieces for sure, the mules did attract people to town, and thus, the businesses.
So, why ducks? There are some good reasons. History dates back to the early 1900’s, when a Yardley duck farmer named John C. McCormick supplied many a Christmas dinner in town and beyond. The farm, which ran until the late 1940’s, was situated on the region’s Dolington Road—on a property once belonging to the town’s founder, William Yardley. According to Susan Taylor, the President of the Yardley Historical Association, “There was a railroad on the property which took ducks to market. They were sold to the finest restaurants in Philadelphia and New York, and apparently, had a reputation for being as good as Long Island Duck.” The farm employed a large community of African American workers, who would pluck and prepare the ducks, and in addition to their pay, were permitted to take eggs home with them.
The farm must have been an interesting place to work. Susan says an oral history speaks of one excellent worker who had a toothache, and McCormick brought a dentist to the farm to pull his tooth. “In the early 1900s, Yardley had industries that were employing people,” Susan says. So, duck farming eventually wound up taking a back seat. But Susan adds there is another attachment to ducks. And that goes back to the 1970s, when some Yardley residents came up with a bumper sticker that said, ‘We brake for Ducks in Yardley.’ It came about due to one resident who had been late to work a few times. Each time, it was due to the ducks crossing the street from Lake Afton. Yes, they tend to rule, especially during rush hour. Lake Afton, if you don’t know, is a serene pond situated just in front of the Episcopal Church. It has served as home for area ducks for decades. One resident took it upon herself to care for the pond, and as a result, the duck population flourished. She even penned a book about it. Put it all together, and it seems that ducks and Yardley are a great match.
Production of the fiberglass ducks began when Experience Yardley got in touch with a Chicago manufacturing company to develop the forms. Custom-made, the ducks had to be shipped and stored during cold weather, until they were ripe for painting. Then, they put out a call to Yardley artists. Who might be interested in painting a duck? Turns out, quite a few. Several were painted in a building near the river,” Cindy says. Others were done in homes and studios. And in 2021, the installation was ready to go.
With Yardley-centric themes, the six ducks drew artists of varying mediums, including Anne Gannon and Renee Eagan. The two shared the painting of Blue. Named for the beautiful Bucks skies, the two knew each other from the Artists of Yardley (AOY) center. The organization serves as a gathering/think tank for artists from all over—mostly Bucks; some across the river in New Jersey. It began about 13 years ago with about a dozen members. Today, it boasts over 300. When the call for artists came from Cindy, this duo thought it would be a great project. Reflecting the local environment, they decided upon a two-sided duck; one side depicting the Delaware and the other Paterson Farm in Yardley. “Renee and I spent probably a total of 40 hours each. There was a lot involved. We took a lot of photos, sketched it.” Anne says, “It’s all about perspective in 3D painting. It takes time to get the perspective right.” Once the design was nailed down, they got to work. Using strong acrylic paints that would withstand weather, their duck was finished with a ‘diamond coating’—a poly finish to seal and protect it. “I really like art being more prominent in the area,” Anne continues, “So many creative people have come out of the woodwork. It’s colorful, cheerful, and just goes with this small, quaint borough.”
Other ducks include Dolly, who is painted with a colorful checkerboard pattern, Chester, with local vintage transportation themes (including canal boats that once brought goods to town), Mabel, a striking black and red floral that serves as an homage to blooming roses which bring love and joy, and Dapper—a tribute to the Pennsbury High Prom. Yes, a prom. in case you are unaware, there’s quite a reputation to it. Nationally recognized for the performing artists that have come to Pennsbury high School, not to mention hundreds of prom-goers arriving in stylish cars and on floats. Monte’s designer, Chris Monteiro, is an art teacher and recruited students to help with the project. “The community comes through when asked,” Liz adds.
They certainly do. While the duck project was organized by Experience Yardley, each one is sponsored, either by a business or individual families. “Businesses have been kind enough to give up some property to host them,” says Cindy. “They have to be strategically placed for safety concerns.” They are meant to be touched, enjoyed, photographed—and Dapper even has a space for sitting.
The installment will stay for as long as the ducks stand up. “There are still some privately-owned mules from the past that are still going,” Cindy adds. They’re hoping for at least five years. And when the end of their reign comes, they will likely be auctioned off. “Then what?” I asked. Experiencing how Liz and Cindy feed off each other, it’s clear they’ll just come up with something else. But for now, head to Yardley with your walking shoes, a camera, and some friends, and be prepared to interact with the most colorful ducks you’ll find on this side of the Delaware.
You can find a map, pinpointing exact locations at the bookstore, Commonplace Reader (owned by Liz), Borough Hall and the Buttonwood Park Pavilion. To learn more about the ducks, their artists and the very active Experience Yardley organization, log onto: www.experienceyardley.com
Chrysa Smith is a regular contributor, with an affinity for the quirky and creative.