GREEN REIGNS:

Whitemarsh's Jewel in the Crown Has Been Preserved!!!!

The community's 10-year effort to preserve one of the most unique and treasured parcels of open space in southeastern PA was finally realized on Monday when a complex real estate deal involving 10 public and private parties, including the Whitemarsh Foundation and the Natural Lands Trust, resulted in the preservation of the remaining acres of Erdenheim Farm.

The majority of the Farm (243 acres) has been purchased by Peter and Bonnie McCausland, who will make the Farm their home and intend to continue its farming operations. The Foundation has purchased 91 acres of the Sheep Tract, in addition to the 98-acres Angus Tract which it already owns. A member of the Dixon family will continue ownership of 14 acres of the Equestrian Tract.

In exchange for being allowed to purchase the land along Stenton Avenue deeded to the Natural Lands Trust, the McCauslands have agreed to place legally binding conservation easements on all but 23 acres of their property, thus ensuring it will remain as open space. The couple also agreed to allow the construction of public trails along the perimeter of their property, enabling the completion of the County's Wissahickon Green Ribbon Trail, which will extend from Fairmount Park to Ft. Washington State Park, connecting the suburbs with the city of Philadelphia.

For more details on the preservation and plans for the future, please refer to the Whitemarsh Foundation website and the recent articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer of Sunday, May 31, and Tuesday, June 2.

Today is truly a day for celebration. Many thanks to all the residents of Whitemarsh Township who supported the efforts of the WTRA, the Whitemarsh Foundation, and the Township to preserve this irreplaceable open space.

View ABC video on the purchase of the Farm.

 

 

 

 

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