Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe approved the awarding of over $2.3 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants to local municipalities and organizations.

“We’re proud to partner with our municipalities and land trusts on these investments that ensure safe recreational spaces, protect the environment, and preserve the remarkable natural resources of Chester County,” the County Commissioners said in a statement. “These projects are part of our commitment to a high quality of life—one we hope will inspire future generations to continue this tradition of stewardship. For more than three decades, Chester County residents have supported dedicating funds to these vital efforts, and we’re grateful for that ongoing commitment.”

The grants are made available through Chester County’s Preservation Partnership Program, which offers funding to municipalities and non-profit land preservation organizations. 

A total of 15 grants were awarded this year to help permanently preserve 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 Red Clay Alliance will receive $337,790 to help purchase two conservation easements in Elk Township totaling 132.9 acres including a public trail corridor linking Lewisville Road to Big Elk Creek State Park. The easements will protect woodlands and tributaries to both the Little and Big Elk Creeks and provide for continued agricultural use of portions of both parcels.

French & Pickering Conservation Trust will receive $246,547 towards the purchase of a farmland conservation easement in West Vincent Township on 78.3 acres across four parcels of land to maintain agricultural use of the property. 

Natural Lands will receive a total of $289,892 for two projects—$239,892 for the preservation of 4.45 acres in Newlin Township to be managed as a restored habitat and addition to the ChesLen Preserve, and $50,000 to improve and create wildlife habitat at Stroud Preserve in East and West Bradford townships. The Stroud Preserve project includes invasive species removal, grassland conversion, and restoration of native plantings along a stream channel. 

Open Land Conservancy will receive $14,000 for the Lorimer Preserve Riparian Restoration Project in Tredyffrin Township. This project will include invasive species removal and planting of native species to foster threatened bird species habitat.

Municipal grant funding recipients

Avondale Borough will receive $30,000 towards the purchase of three acres for passive recreation and natural resource conservation. 

Caln Township will receive $250,000 to help construct a 10-foot-wide, quarter-mile section of the Beaver Creek Trail at Lloyd Park, which will include a pedestrian bridge over Beaver Creek to connect the park to Downingtown Borough. 

East Brandywine Township will receive $80,000 to help purchase approximately 14-acres of the former Shady Acres Campground for passive recreation and natural resource conservation. The property is part of Pennsylvania’s designated “Wild and Scenic” Brandywine Creek Corridor and sits adjacent to the Struble Trail. 

London Britain Township will receive $109,200 to increase the recreational offerings at Nichol Park through the construction of six pickleball courts in an area designated for courts in the Township’s park master plan.   

North Coventry Township will receive $110,000 to help fund the removal and replacement of 30-year-old playground equipment at Kenilworth Park. Funding will also support Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pathway improvements and parking spaces, as well as benches and landscaping. 

Oxford Borough will receive $34,010 towards Memorial Park improvements including a bandshell performance pavilion, rain garden, improved ADA accessibility, and information kiosks. 

Schuylkill Township will receive $500,000 towards the purchase of 55 acres of the Sedgley Farm property, adjacent to Pickering Creek Reservoir, to be used as a future passive recreational nature preserve. 

Spring City Borough will receive $100,000 to help fund the creation of an ADA-accessible boat launch along the Schuylkill River Trail and the Schuylkill River Water Trail. Additional improvements will include ADA accessible walkways, parking for vehicles with boat trailers, signage, and picnic facilities. 

Uwchlan Township will receive $100,000 towards the creation of a nature playground at Shamona Peck Park for children of all abilities. Proposed improvements also include a pollinator and edible garden plus a pedestrian bridge over Shamona Creek to connect areas of the park to the Uwchlan Trail. 

West Caln Township will receive $135,000 for improvements to Layton Park including replacing an aging hockey ring with pickleball courts, installing energy efficient lighting around recreational areas, and the creation of a new dog park. 

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.