WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe have approved more than $2.3 million in grants to support land conservation and park development initiatives throughout the county. The funding, approved during this week’s public Commissioners’ meeting, is part of the county’s ongoing Preservation Partnership Program.
The grant program, which provides matching funds to municipalities and nonprofit land conservation groups, aims to protect the county’s environmental assets while improving public access to parks and recreational spaces.
“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 commissioners said in a joint 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.”
Fifteen projects received funding this year, ranging from land conservation easements and habitat restoration to the construction of pickleball courts and accessible playgrounds.
Land Preservation Grants Support Easements and Habitat Restoration
Among the notable conservancy recipients:
- Brandywine Red Clay Alliance will receive $337,790 to preserve two conservation easements in Elk Township, totaling nearly 133 acres. The project includes a future public trail corridor linking Lewisville Road to Big Elk Creek State Park.
- French & Pickering Conservation Trust is set to receive $246,547 to acquire a farmland conservation easement on over 78 acres in West Vincent Township.
- Natural Lands secured $289,892 for two projects. One includes preserving 4.45 acres in Newlin Township adjacent to the ChesLen Preserve. The other funds habitat improvements at Stroud Preserve in East and West Bradford, including invasive species removal and native plant restoration.
- Open Land Conservancy will receive $14,000 for riparian restoration work at Lorimer Preserve in Tredyffrin Township to benefit threatened bird species.
Municipal Projects Target Recreation and Accessibility
Thirteen municipalities were awarded grants for park improvements, trail development, and recreational infrastructure:
- Caln Township received $250,000 for a section of the Beaver Creek Trail, including a pedestrian bridge linking Lloyd Park to Downingtown Borough.
- Schuylkill Township was awarded $500,000—the largest single grant—for the purchase of 55 acres at Sedgley Farm, adjacent to Pickering Creek Reservoir, to be preserved as passive open space.
- London Britain Township will receive $109,200 to build six pickleball courts at Nichol Park, and West Caln Township will use $135,000 to replace an old hockey rink with new pickleball courts, upgrade lighting, and create a dog park at Layton Park.
- Spring City Borough was granted $100,000 to develop an ADA-accessible boat launch along the Schuylkill River, complete with walkways, trailer parking, and picnic areas.
Other grants will fund playground upgrades in North Coventry, a nature-themed playground in Uwchlan Township, and park enhancements in Oxford, East Brandywine, Avondale, and Memorial Park in Oxford Borough.
Longstanding Commitment to Conservation
Since launching its Open Lands and Agricultural Land Preservation programs more than three decades ago, Chester County has preserved over 65,000 acres of farmland, nature preserves, and recreational spaces. Every one of the county’s 73 municipalities has participated.
This latest round of grants continues that tradition by supporting projects that align with local land use plans while enhancing the quality of life for county residents.
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