PAOLI, PA — Pennsylvania is directing $1.56 million toward land preservation and recreational planning in Chester County, including $1.5 million to expand Rushton Woods Preserve by 20 acres and improve public access to surrounding open space.
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester, confirmed the funding for two projects in her legislative district through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Community Conservation Partnerships Program.
The Willistown Conservation Trust will receive $1.5 million for its Rushton Woods Preserve Expansion project, accounting for more than 96% of the combined funding.
The grant will support the acquisition of 20 additional acres and improvements intended to connect the preserve with surrounding protected lands. The project is designed to expand conservation acreage while making the property more accessible to the public.
The remaining $60,000 will support a master site development plan for Sedgley Farms in Schuylkill Township.
That funding will be used to identify and prioritize potential park improvements and recreational activities, establishing a planning framework for future development rather than financing construction.
Both awards are part of DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which provides financial assistance for recreation infrastructure, land conservation and community revitalization projects across Pennsylvania.
The grants address different stages of public land investment. The Rushton Woods funding supports a specific land acquisition and access improvements, while the Sedgley Farms allocation finances preliminary planning to guide future recreational investments.
“Rushton Woods and Sedgley Farms play an important role in our communities. They support environmental health, protect our natural resources, and provide a space for residents to connect with each other and nature,” Shusterman stated.
The two projects will expand the region’s conservation efforts while establishing priorities for recreational improvements, with the bulk of the state investment directed toward securing additional protected land at Rushton Woods Preserve.
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