Mila Carter, Township Manager, lcarter@westtown.org
Pam Packard, Parks Coordinator, ppackard@westtown.org
Mila Carter, Township Manager, lcarter@westtown.org
Pam Packard, Parks Coordinator, ppackard@westtown.org
Despite the damp weather, members of the EAC and other volunteers worked from 7 to 11 AM to fill over 50 trash bags and collect other debris at Crebilly Preserve. Thank you to all who participated and to the Westtown Public Works crew for disposing of the collected material.
The newly acquired preserve needs attention before it can be safely enjoyed by our residents and visitors, including the demolition of several dilapidated buildings and decommissioning of old septic systems and wells. The contract for demolition has been awarded to Joseph J Danielle, LLC in the amount of $128,600.43 at the Board of Supervisors’ April 7, 2025 meeting. Demolition activities to commenced in mid-May.
The Township is also undertaking the planning process to design the layout of Crebilly Preserve. The first step in this lengthy process is to secure funding for the creation of a Master Plan for Crebilly Preserve. The master plan must be drafted 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 estimated cost of master plan development is $150,000 and the approximate timeframe for completion is 18 to 24 months. The DCNR grant application in the amount of $75,000 was submitted in early April, 2025. The Township is also working on a similar application for the DCED grant program, which is due before May 31, 2025. After the grant applications are submitted, it is a waiting game until the grants are awarded, usually in late fall or winter.
In the meantime, the Township is working on a short-term 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 proposed maintenance agreements are currently under review by the grant funders and the Township solicitor. The end goal is to restore and preserve the unique features of this land for all to enjoy.
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.
$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 Tax from Westtown Township Residents
In November 2022, the residents of Westtown Township voted overwhelmingly in favor of an Open Space Fund tax, 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 Crebilly land acquisition.
$1,000,000 Mt. Cuba Center
The Mt. Cuba Center graciously contributed to the purchase through Natural Lands.
$1,000,000 Anonymous Donation (Natural Lands)
An anonymous donor gifted funds through Natural Lands for the project.
$550,000 Grant Delaware River Watershed Protection Grant
The Board of Trustees of Open Space Institute (OSI) Land Trust, Inc., approved a Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund grant of $550,000 to Natural Lands for the Crebilly Farm land acquisition project.
$270,000 Fundraising Campaign
Between August, 2024 and closing, over 700 people donated towards land preservation though the fundraising campaign led by Natural Lands.
$100,000 Brandywine Conservancy
An anonymous donor kindly donated funds through Brandywine Conservancy.
$100,000 Marshall Reynolds Foundation
The Marshall Reynolds Foundation generously provided additional funding towards the acquisition.
$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.
