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Chester County Press

Officials celebrate the preservation of 162-acre property in Elk Township

03/14/2022 08:31PM ● By Steven Hoffman

Elk Township officials were joined by representatives from Chester County, the state of Pennsylvania, and the Brandywine Conservancy for a March 9 gathering to celebrate the preservation of the 162-acre Martin property in the township. 

Beautiful woods and open fields as well as a vibrant wildlife habitat and headwater tributaries to the Big Elk Creek are part of the picturesque property that makes an important connection and expansion to the Big Elk section of the White Clay Creek Preserve. The eastern tip of the property connects to the north western side of the preserve, which also connects to preserve property in Maryland and Delaware.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn was one of the first speakers. DCNR was a major financial contributor to the purchase of the site, adding $754,300 in grant funds, with Elk Township adding over $400,000 as well.

“White Clay Creek Preserve is integral to providing outdoor recreation opportunities in this community and the region at large, which is why we are pleased to make today’s grant announcement,” Dunn said in an earlier press release. “I am grateful for the positive impact this acquisition, and the incredible work being done locally to help protect and expand public lands, will undoubtedly have in the future.”

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta was also in attendance. “Every time we preserve our open spaces and watersheds, we’re supporting the constitutional right of all Pennsylvanians to clean air, pure water, and the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment,” she said before the meeting. “I thank DCNR for this investment in expanding the White Clay Creek Preserve. And I continue to work to ensure that the preserve and this new addition can be accessed and enjoyed by all residents, families, and visitors for generations to come.”

Open space preservation is important to Elk Township which can now proudly state that over 50 percent of the land in the municipality is preserved. Chester County is approaching having 30 percent of the total county land in preservation programs. 

It is expected that the property will soon be open to the public.