CHADDS FORD, PA — Pennsbury Township supervisors unanimously authorized a $6.75 million purchase of roughly 98 acres Wednesday, advancing a major open-space acquisition that will use nearly $5 million in grants and expand protected land around the township park, according to an article by Rich Schwartzman of Chadds Ford Live.
The three parcels are owned by the Herdeg family. Two directly adjoin the township park, while the third is farther south near the intersection of Hillendale and Hickory Hill roads.
The township expects to receive $1.875 million from Chester County and $3 million from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, leaving Pennsbury responsible for approximately $1.875 million of the purchase price, plus closing and appraisal costs.
Pennsbury nevertheless plans to finance the entire $6.75 million purchase through a 12-year loan from the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority at an interest rate of approximately 4%, according to township solicitor Tom Oeste.
Debt service will be paid from dedicated open-space funds. Supervisors Chairman Aaron McIntyre said the township collects more than $300,000 annually in open-space revenue and does not anticipate raising taxes to cover the borrowing.
“That’s a lot of money going toward open space,” McIntyre is quoted as saying about the grant funding. “I think this is an excellent way to spend because it’s contiguous to our park.”
The Sept. 16 vote moves the acquisition from planning and grant funding to an authorized purchase, with settlement expected on or before Dec. 15.
The land will be subject to a declaration of public trust containing covenants and restrictions that dedicate the properties to public purposes. Permitted uses will be limited to open space, natural areas, natural-resource conservation, agriculture, public parks, trails and greenways.
“The open space benefits to be acquired are protection and conservation of water resources, riparian areas, woodlands, natural and scenic resources, and farmland,” Oeste said.
McIntyre said the contiguous acreage would allow residents to use the land passively while protecting the township’s natural, scenic, and water resources.
The acquisition also commits a substantial share of Pennsbury’s dedicated open-space revenue to debt service over the next 12 years, while leveraging county and federal grants to cover most of the property’s purchase price.
Read Rich Schwartzman’s full Chadds Ford Live article at https://chaddsfordlive.com/2026/09/pennsbury-to-buy-open-space-land/.
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