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Open-Space-and-Trails-Map01232023.pdfWarrington has over 1000 acres of protected open space that is managed for the public benefit.
Nature is serious business
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF OUR CLEAN AIR, WATER, AND OPEN SPACES? WHAT HAPPENS TO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IF WE CONTINUE TO LOSE FORESTS, STREAMS, OPEN SPACES AND WETLANDS?
Just as financial experts determine a return on investment, we now have a way to express a return on environment (ROE). ROE is a process that places a dollar value on natural system services on an annual basis. It ex-plains nature's value in terms that everyone can understand. ROE values are based on fines for not complying with environmental regulations, replacement costs to restore impacted resources, and other examples where people have been willing to pay higher taxes and/or higher prices for homes for access to these resources.
Warrington Township’s open spaces are more than just pretty places. They are productive assets that generate significant economic value. Open spaces positively affect property values, they also reduce storm water runoff which improves water quality. In addition, there are increased revenues from out-door sports and other activities. Open Spaces provide additional benefits to public health because of air and water quality and a better sense of well-being.
Conserving our land, providing clean water, and improving air quality account for over $10 million dollars each year in benefits; recreation spending an additional 31 million and avoided health care costs an additional 17 million. Total estimated benefits exceed $58 million. Once lost these services are very expensive to replace. That is why conservation and protection can be a profitable long term business strategy.
In 2012, the citizens of Warrington Township passed an Open Space Referendum, authorizing the Board of Supervisors to borrow up to $3 million over 20 years to purchase and protect open space. This commitment demonstrated a clear demand for protecting the remaining open space and natural areas that, like many suburban communities outside major cities, have been increasingly impacted by development activities.
Since the Township passed its referendum, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3 Office has provided resource mapping and prioritization support to help Warrington identify the parcels of land with the most ecological and environmental benefit to the community. Beyond this support, the EPA saw an opportunity to bring additional technical assistance to the Township and therefore enlisted the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland to work with Warrington to identify overlapping priorities within the Township, potential local partnership opportunities, and additional financing mechanisms that could be leveraged to stretch these funds further.
A report titled “A GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE APPROACH TO LEVERAGING LOCAL PRIORITIES IN WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA was presented to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) at their September 23rd meeting. The report was developed by the Environmental Finance Center; and guided by the Environmental Advisory Council and Open Space Task Force. The focus of the report was: 1. Identify and prioritize funding sources; 2. Develop partnerships with existing local organizations and 3. Integrate green infrastructure into land conservation planning and project site design. The report also included the “Priority Parcel Ranking System For Open Space” that was presented to the BOS by the Open Space Task Force at the September 9th BOS meeting.
In 2017, the Township hired Keystone Conservation to valuate our Open Spaces and develop a Report of the value of our Open Spaces
In Warrington, five locations have a special protection called a Perpetual Conservation Easement, The first easement is held by Natural Lands the other four are held by the Heritage Conservancy. These easements allow for open fields, agriculture uses, naturalized basins, constructed wetlands, reforestation areas, utilities, walking trails and passive recreation.Following are descriptions of each of the five locations:
Mill Creek Preserve
Mill Creek Preserve is aptly named, as the main stem of the Mill Creek, which flows through the center of the site, has shaped the landscape of the preserve and beyond. The creek, its associated tributaries, wetlands, and hydric soils have driven the historic use of the site as well. Dry areas, upland, have been farmed, while the wetter lowlands and some wet forest, have remained wooded. the 66-acre preserve includes more than 2,000 feet of Mill Creek.
Grove Valley Farm County Line Road south of Stump Road –(Grove Valley Farm – 21.032 acres, Grove Valley Farm consists of wildlife habitat, significant natural resources, and scenic views which contribute to the rural character of the surrounding area.
Grove Valley Farm County Line Road south of Stump Road –(Grove Valley Farm – 21.032 acres, Grove Valley Farm consists of wildlife habitat, significant natural resources, and scenic views which contribute to the rural character of the surrounding area.
Laurel Crossing County Line Road south of Stump Road Laurel Crossing – 15.020 acres). Ltural resources, and scenic views which contribute to the rural character of the surrounding area. Laurel Crossing contains picturesque forested areas, streams, and other wetland habitats that prove vital to the ecology of the region.
Laurel Crossing County Line Road south of Stump Road Laurel Crossing – 15.020 acres). Ltural resources, and scenic views which contribute to the rural character of the surrounding area. Laurel Crossing contains picturesque forested areas, streams, and other wetland habitats that prove vital to the ecology of the region.
Weisel Farm Another easement protects Weisel Farm, which contains 85 acres located between Stump, Mill Creek, and Pickertown roads. The property consists of a mix of meadows and forested habitat with some active agricultural fields.
Weisel Farm Another easement protects Weisel Farm, which contains 85 acres located between Stump, Mill Creek, and Pickertown roads. The property consists of a mix of meadows and forested habitat with some active agricultural fields.
Emerson Farm And finally, a half-mile south along Pickertown Road, more than 50 acres have been protected at the Emerson Farm. The property consists of agricultural areas as well as habitat for wildlife, open space, and rural scenic views.
Emerson Farm And finally, a half-mile south along Pickertown Road, more than 50 acres have been protected at the Emerson Farm. The property consists of agricultural areas as well as habitat for wildlife, open space, and rural scenic views.
Warrington also has 50 plus smaller parcels spread though out the Township. Many of those parcels are contained in the following report:
Parcel Management.pdfPage updated
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