Op/Ed: Rapid industrialization is ruining the Chester County rural character

By Kaitlyn Toth, Special to The Times Kaitlyn Toth Growing up, a core memory of mine was walking to elementary school with my siblings and my mom by my side. The luscious green grass, tall corn stalks, and smell of the fresh morning air, it was the highlight of my day. My childhood is flooded with memories of running through open fields, exploring forests, and riding my bike down trail paths. However,...

County OKs $2.5M in open space grants

Site of the adaptive kayak launch and boat ramp rehabilitation project at Riverside Park in North Coventry Township,one of the recipients of a park improvement grant through the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program. The Chester County Commissioners approved the awarding of $2.5 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants today at the public Commissioners’ meeting....

Commissioners OK $4.2M grant to preserve Crebilly Farm

Chester County Commissioners present $6.35 million in funding to Westtown Township and Natural Lands, to support the preservation of Crebilly Farm. Pictured left to right are: Westtown Township Supervisors Dick Pomerantz and Scott Yaw; Jack Stefferud, Natural Lands Senior Director of Land Protection; Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz; Westtown Township Supervisors’ Chair...

New Garden golf course to be preserved as public park

Loch Nairn Golf Club Natural Lands announced today the preservation of approximately 106 acres in New Garden Township, Chester County. The land, formerly the site of the Loch Nairn Golf Club, was purchased by the Township for use as a passive-recreation park, which is slated to open to the public in 2024. Conversion of the land from a golf course to a park will help improve water quality, absorb...

7.5 acres in Charlestown preserved as open space

French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, in partnership with Charlestown Township, has protected another 7.5 acres in northern Chester County. The conservation easement of the Green Lane Road property, owned by Frances Rodgers, was funded through the township’s Open Space Initiative dedicated tax dollars and expanded the total protected lands along Green Lane to 175 acres. Frances Rodgers...

Commissioners OK $3.2 million in Open Space Preservation and Park Improvement Grants

The 162-acre Martin Six Associates property in Elk Township is one of the recipients of a 2022 preservation grant through the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program. The Chester County Commissioners today approved the awarding of $3.2 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants. The grants are made available through Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program,...

Chester County achieves milestone in preserved open space and celebrates with Open Space Summit

Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline announced the achievement of a significant milestone for the county:  More than 30 percent of Chester County has now been preserved as open space.  According to the analysis of the Chester County Planning Commission’s Protected Open Space Tracking – or POST – system, as of December 31, 2021, Chester County...

County OKs $4.2M grant to preserve open space and improve parks

The 156-acre Starr Farm in East Bradford Township, one of the recipients of a preservation grant through the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program. WEST CHESTER — Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline approved the awarding of $4.2 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants at the most recent public Commissioners’ meeting....

Small open space acquisition could have big impact, officials say

Natural Lands announced the permanent protection of a vulnerable section of East Branch Brandywine Creek. The acquisition and immediate transfer of the 12- acre property to East Brandywine Township ensures access to the creek for recreation and protects the scenic view along Route 282 in Downingtown, Chester County. “While it may seem like a small property, its conservation is quite significant,”...

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees aids open space preservation effort

Bill Burke WEST CHESTER — Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, one of Chester County Pa.’s largest law firms, announced Tuesday that it represented and assisted Brandywine Conservancy in acquiring and preserving over 577 acres of land in Lower Oxford and West Nottingham Townships.  William Burke represented Brandywine which, with invaluable support from the Oxford Area Foundation and grant funding...