Fenimore Woods Upgrades Under Review In Radnor

RADNOR, PA –Radnor Township commissioners Monday night reviewed options for redesigning and improving the safety features of Fenimore Woods.

The commissioners tabled action on hiring a contractor for professional services until further review.

Fenimore Woods Park is 11.5 acres with a 2.2-acre pond, a creek, a pavilion, and a playground at Paul and Eagle roads. It's named after Francis Fenimore, one of the largest landowners of Wayne's early days.

A total of $1.67 million is available in bond money for the project.

Tammy Cohen, director of the recreation and community programming, said the project has been discussed for years.

Cohen said that 29 hazardous trees have been removed.

Options on the table

Kevin Selger, director of Landscaping for Gilmore and Associates, Philadelphia, provided options for upgrades with the high end at $2.7 million and the low end at $1.5 million.

The options included renovating the horse stables, providing new bathrooms, replacing the pavilion, paving parking areas, new playground equipment, new guard rail on Paul Road, and adding ADA parking spaces.

The proposal also included a separate contractor, Gannett Flemming, Harrisburg, to design the renovation of the stables.

Commissioner Maggie Myers said that the commissioners would like to see the stables transformed into restrooms at a lower cost, noting an elaborate renovation of the stables is not necessary.

Moira Mulroney, board president, said her priority is for the park to meet the standards of the American Disabilities Act.

“We should have the park available for everyone,” she said.

Mulroney said she is grateful for the community participation and that the project will continue to be discussed at the Park and Recreation Committee meetings.

Mixed reactions

Matt Marshall, a 25-year resident of North Wayne, described the park as the gem of the township.

“This is an old-growth park with some of the best trees in Radnor Township,” he said. “The best thing to do now is to slow down.”

Michael Kearney, a resident, said the presentation was excellent. He said all upgrades should be ADA-compliant.
Kearney said if he had a choice, he would like to preserve the stables.

Resident Shannon Higgins requested that commissioners keep Fenimore Woods the way it is.

“I don’t understand why we can’t keep our current playground,” he said. “We would like you to save the trees, save the stables and keep the pavilion. We don’t need a fence or a guardrail.”