East Fallowfield Community Park, one of the recipients of Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program grants.
Over $1.7 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants were approved by the Chester County Commissioners at last week’s public meeting. The grants are made available through Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program, which offers funding to municipalities and non-profit land preservation organizations.
In a joint statement, Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe said, “We are proud to partner with Chester County municipalities and land trusts on investments like these that ensure safe recreational spaces, protect the environment, and preserve Chester County’s remarkable natural resources. For more than three decades, Chester County residents have supported dedicating funds to such projects as part of our commitment to maintaining a high quality of life. Hearing the voices of those who share that dedication inspires us to continue this tradition of stewardship, one we hope future generations will embrace as well.”
A total of eight grants were awarded this year to help in permanently preserving significant natural, recreational, agricultural, historic, and cultural land resources; enhance public access to those lands; and implement County and municipal land use policies.
Conservancy Grant Funding Recipients
- Brandywine Conservancy: $394,800 to help purchase a conservation easement on four parcels totaling approximately 55 acres in West Bradford Township. The property includes a portion of Broad Run Creek, walking trails, and a public parking area.
- Natural Lands: $322,200 toward the purchase of 6.8 acres along West Branch Brandywine Creek in Newlin Township to be added to ChesLen Preserve.
- Willistown Conservation Trust: $250,000 toward the purchase of 20 acres in Willistown Township to be added to Rushton Woods Preserve.
Municipal Grant Funding Recipients
- East Bradford Township: $175,000 to improve accessibility at East Bradford Park, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant playground equipment, updated pathways and parking lot, landscaping, and tennis court rehabilitation.
- East Coventry Township: $250,000 to add a new boat ramp, access drive, and car and boat trailer parking in Towpath Park to connect the Schuylkill River Trail to the Schuylkill River Water Trail.
- East Fallowfield Township: $218,200 for improvements to East Fallowfield Community Park, which will include a sand volleyball court, a tot-lot playground with accessible features, ADA-accessible paths, stormwater management, and a parking lot.
- Parkesburg Borough: $67,034 to help fund the first of three planned phases for improvements to Minch Park. This first phase will create an ADA-compliant playground and gazebo, as well as rehabilitate the tennis court.
- West Chester Borough: $100,000 towards ongoing improvements at John O. Green Park. Plans include a new swing set, a playground with safety surfacing, a pavilion expansion, and new plantings with integrated seating.
Since 1989, Chester County has funded the preservation of over 65,000 acres of farmland, open space, nature preserves, and parks in partnership with farmers, municipalities, non-profits, and landowners in all 73 municipalities through its open lands and Agricultural Land Preservation programs.
