John Snook, Brandywine Conservancy senior advisor

Trail included in open space plan

A formal open space plan could be in place by Jan. 1.

By Richard Schwartzman

Chadds Ford residents eager for a walking trail through the township may get their wish if the current draft of an open space plan is approved.

Citing the lack of safety in walking along the streets of Chadds Ford, John Snook told residents last week that there is a proposed trail included in the current draft of an open space plan being developed.

Snook, a senior advisor with the Brandywine Conservancy, said the trail would be a pilot project and that it would link Turner's Mill -- the township building -- with the Brandywine River Museum.

"Walking is not safe on Chadds Ford streets," Snook said last Thursday during his part of a presentation on the open space plan.

There is a walking trail through conservancy property between the museum and the Chadds Ford Historical Society. The proposed new trail between the museum and the township building would be through conservancy and township-owned property.

Snook said one of the recommendations in the plan is to promote the establishment of trail "that don't go right next to people's houses."

Recreational open space is just one of the aspects addressed in the plan. Also addressed are woodlands, wetlands, ground water supply and surface water quality, as well as historic and community resources.

The meeting was held in the lecture room at the museum. Snook and several other planners and advisors with the conservancy are providing technical assistance to the township Open Space Committee in developing the formal open space plan.

Chadds Ford Open Space Committee Chairman Deborah Reardon said that her group is on track to send a proposed open space plan to the planning commission for its recommendation by the end of July, "We hope." Once the planning commission reviews the plan it will be sent to the board of supervisors for final approval.

The plan will also be sent to the Delaware County Planning Department, the township solicitor, neighboring municipalities and to the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for their review.

Reardon said previously that she hopes to have the plan approved by the supervisors by the end of the year. Chadds ford Township must have an official open space plan it may spend the money it's been collecting from the open space tax.

According to township Supervisors' Vice Chairman George Thorpe, the plan is "A milestone for the protection of Chadds Ford's resources."

Township population is expected to grow 60 percent by 2025 from its year 2000 figure, from 3,170 residents to 5,080.

"We want to balance growth with the protection of natural resources," Thorpe said.

The township is roughly 8.7 square miles, according to Robert Lonsdorf, a senior planner with the conservancy. Of 5,572 acres, 1,988 are woodlands, he said.