Solebury Awarded $800K Toward Purchase Of Former Quarry

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, PA — Solebury Township has been awarded an $800,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to support the purchase and preservation of the former New Hope Crushed Stone property on Phillips Mill Road.

The grant was announced on Tuesday by State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan who represent Solebury in Harrisburg.

The 166-acre site, which includes a 70-acre lake, was purchased by Solebury Township in 2025 through an innovative public-private partnership with Solebury School. As part of the agreement, Solebury School obtained a non-exclusive easement for trail access and future water access, helping reduce the Township’s purchase price from $3.2 million to $1.6 million. An existing structure on the property will also be repurposed as a Public Works storage facility, saving the Township an estimated $350,000 in construction costs.

With the addition of the newly awarded DCNR grant, the Township’s net cost to acquire the property will be reduced to less than $500,000, representing a significant return on investment for taxpayers in Solebury Township while permanently protecting open space and creating a future public park.

The Township is now developing long-term plans for the property. Initial uses will include a Central Bucks EMS station, a training site for the Bucks County Public Safety Dive Team, and installation of a dry hydrant to provide emergency water access for local fire departments. Public access and further conservation of the site will be incorporated as planning continues.

“For years, this site was a source of disruption for the Solebury community. I know my office worked tirelessly with local partners to help resolve the sinkholes and other issues caused by the previous mismanagement of the quarry,” said Senator Santarsiero. “This grant helps turn what was a nuisance in Solebury Township into a protected lake and future public park that will preserve open space, safeguard water resources, and provide lasting recreational and public safety benefits. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when state and local partners work together with a shared vision. I’m thankful for all of those were involved in the project including Representative Tim Brennan, Township Manager Chris Garges, DCNR, Solebury School, and Solebury Township.”

“The Solebury Quarry project is a remarkable example of vision and dedication in local planning and government,” said Representative Brennan. “It showcases creativity, responsible stewardship of our environment and resources, and builds partnerships between state, local, and nonprofit organizations. What had been a long-standing challenge will now be a resource that will benefit our community for many years to come. Good local government often goes unnoticed, which makes me especially proud that the Commonwealth is supporting this project. Securing state support is a win for Solebury's future and a recognition of the hard work led by Solebury Township that went into this project, alongside The Solebury School, Senator Steve Santarsiero and DCNR. The Solebury Quarry project presents a unique and exciting opportunity to create a natural and welcoming space for all. This grant brings us one step closer to making that transformation a reality, creating a park that residents and visitors alike can enjoy for generations.”

“This grant will help accelerate the development of this unique property that has the potential to become an important local and regional recreation asset,” said Solebury Township Board of Supervisors Chair Mark Baum Baicker.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is Pennsylvania’s leader and chief advocate for conservation and outdoor recreation. Their mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania's natural resources for present and future generations' use and enjoyment.

The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93) which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); the federal Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program Fund (PRT); the Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA); the ATV Management Restricted Account Fund (ATV), and the Snowmobile Management Restricted Account Fund (Snowmobile).