Crebilly Preserve Update
The newly acquired preserve needs attention before it is ready to be safely enjoyed by our residents and visitors, including the demolition of several dilapidated buildings and decommissioning of old septic systems and wells. The mandatory bidding process for contracts over $23,800 takes time. The demolition bid was prepared by the Township’s engineer, advertised, and is currently out to bid. Bids are due on March 25, 2025, and will then need to be reviewed and evaluated by the Township engineer and staff, and then placed on the Board of Supervisors agenda for consideration.
The Township is also undertaking the planning process to design the layout of Crebilly Preserve. The first step in this process is to secure funding for the development of a Master Plan for Crebilly Preserve. A master plan must be created that is in accordance with the provisions of the conservation easements as mandated by the various NGOs and others who help fund the acquisition of the site. The Township has engaged experienced architectural landscape planning firm, Simone Collins, to assist with grant applications to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The DCNR grant applications are due before April 3, 2025 and DCED grant applications are due before May 31, 2025. After the grant applications are submitted, it is a waiting game until the grants are awarded later this year.
In the meantime, the Township is also working on a plan to maintain the perimeter of the property and convert acreage from agricultural crops to orchardgrass, as stipulated by some of the grants used to purchase the land. The end goal is to restore and preserve the unique features of this land for all to enjoy.
Acquisition of Crebilly Farm
On Monday, December 9, 2024, and after seven years of collaborative public-private effort to protect the land from development, Westtown Township finally closed on the purchase of 206 acres of historic farmland located on the south side of West Pleasant Grove Road and extending to the north side of State Route 926 and to the west side of State Route 202.
We are grateful to Natural Lands, our state partners, the Chester County Commissioners and their staff, the Open Space Institute Land Trust Inc., and the Crebilly Farm Family Associates, LP, and for the generous donations from Mt. Cuba, Natural Lands, the Brandywine Conservancy, and the Marshall Reynolds Foundation, who all recognized the value in protecting and preserving open space. We are also proud of our extraordinary residents and all those who donated funds towards this acquisition!
Press Release – Crebilly Land Acquisition
Crebilly Lot Line Change displays the new property boundaries between the Township-owned 206.037 acres and four residential lots protected under conservation easements. The residential lots are not part of the Township-owned open space.
Funding Sources
$6 Million DCNR LWCF Grant
In 2022, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced $6 million in total grant funding to Westtown Township to acquire Crebilly Farm.
$5 Million Open Space Referendum by Westtown Township Residents
In November 2022, the residents of Westtown Township voted overwhelmingly in favor of an Open Space Fund tax referendum, which provided funding for the acquisition and future stewardship of the property.
$4.2 Million Chester County Municipal Partnership Program Grant
In 2023, the Chester County Commissioners awarded $4,206,750 to Westtown Township for the acquisition of Crebilly Farm.
$1 Million Mt. Cuba Donation
Mt. Cuba graciously contributed to the purchase through Natural Lands.
$1 Million Anonymous Donation (Natural Lands)
An anonymous donor gifted funds through Natural Lands for the project.
$550 Thousand Grant Delaware River Watershed Protection Grant
In 2024, the Board of Trustees of Open Space Institute Land Trust, Inc., approved a Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund grant of $550,000 to Natural Lands for the Crebilly Farm farm acquisition project.
$270 Thousand Fundraising Campaign
Between August 2024 and closing, over 700 people donated towards land preservation though the fundraising campaign led by Natural Lands.
$100 Thousand Brandywine Conservancy Donation
An anonymous donor kindly donated funds through Brandywine Conservancy.
$100 Thousand Marshall Reynolds Foundation Donation
The Marshall Reynolds Foundation generously provided additional funding towards acquisition.
Conservation Easements
$2.15 Million Chester County Grant Awarded for Crebilly Farm Easements
Chester County also awarded $2.15 million to pay for approximately half of the cost of the conservation easements along the western portion of Crebilly. These easements permanently protect four residential parcels covering 102 acres from future development. These parcels are not part of the Township-owned open space.
