The Natural Lands Trust and the Chester County Association of Township Officials (CCATO) honored Kennett Township with the Growing Greener Communities Award, Thursday. This award recognizes a Chester County township that has engaged in a dynamic initiative designed to save land, steward natural resources, and connect people to nature. Natural Lands Trust and CCATO presented the award to representatives of Kennett Township at today’s CCATO Spring Conference.
“Kennett Township has provided a model for excellence in their ambitious plan to balance ecological protection and sustainable growth,” said Molly Morrison, President of Natural Lands Trust. “Again and again we have seen the benefits that trails bring to a community. When people have access to green space it improves the health of people and the environment.”
Kennett Township earned this award with the development of the Kennett Greenway, a 12-mile multi-use trail. This plan is designed to improve regional connectivity, public health and safety, and to connect residents to available green space in the township.
“CCATO is pleased to be able to highlight the efforts and true dedication of our local government members, the County of Chester, and Natural Lands Trust in the area of open space preservation and maintenance,” said Ernie Holling, CCATO President. “Efforts to preserve open space will help to maintain the character of Chester County for years to come.”
The plan for the Greenway in Kennett Township will provide residents with safe, convenient bicycle and pedestrian routes between residential areas, commercial centers, parks, preserves, historical sites, schools, public transport hubs, and other facilities throughout the Township.
Said David Conner, representing CCATO and the review committee, “Kennett Township’s application identifies several community stakeholders, a very large project ($4 million dollar phase 1), and, most importantly, provides the backbone for an alternative transportation system. By giving residents and visitors an alternative to driving, this plan holds the potential to reduce traffic congestion as well as air, noise, and water pollution. When the Greenway is complete it will be the largest contiguous pedestrian and bicycle trail system in southern Chester County.”
“Kennett Township and neighboring communities have worked diligently for years to make the Kennett Greenway project possible and I am delighted that Kennett Township has been chosen to receive the prestigious 2015 Growing Greener Award from Natural Lands Trust and Chester County. I want to thank our Board of Supervisors who share our vision to make this happen. In addition, we want to thank two very important local advocacy organizations, The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County and Kennett Trails Alliance, for their visionary efforts to establish the very first segments of the Greenway, indispensable steps towards completing the rest,” said Lisa M. Moore, Kennett Township Manager.
