Chesco Farm Saved From Developers

CHESTER COUNTY —Westtown Township supervisors voted this week to purchase 208 acres of Crebilly Farm for a park, preventing the historic land from being sold to a developer.

Land owners, the Robinson family, co-founders of Acme Markets, signed an agreement to sell the land to the township.

A second agreement for Natural Lands, a non profit conservation organization, to purchase easements for 104 acres is pending.

Five years ago, local residents formed the group, “Crebilly Farm Friends,” to save the land.

Ever since, the group has been lobbying online and at township meetings to prevent the land from being developed.

In a blog post on Wednesday, a member of the group referred to this latest decision as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Natural Lands, based in Media, Delaware County, and Westtown Township are required to obtain $25.5 million in grant funding for its purchase of the easements.

The easement is a voluntary land protection agreement that permanently restricts development on a property.

“By acquiring 208 acres of Crebilly Farm, Westtown Township will ensure that this pristine corner of the township remains unspoiled for generations to come,” Scott Yaw, chairman of the Westtown board of supervisors, said in a prepared statement.

“I am delighted that the township has entered into this agreement of sale with the Robinson family to protect this beautiful Township gem,” echoed Richard Pomerantz, township supervisor and police commissioner.

“We are hopeful that we’ll be able to secure funding from a variety of federal, state, county, and municipal sources over the next couple of years,” said Oliver Bass, Natural Lands president.

Bass said he anticipates there will be a gap between available funds, and funds required to complete the sale.

He noted that the community has been outspoken at prior meetings about preserving the park.
Bass encourages the public to sign up for updates on the project www.natlands.org/crebillyfarm.

History

The Crebilly Farm, located off Routes 202 and 926, has a history dating back to the American Revolution.

On Sept. 11, 1777, the largest battle of the American Revolution occurred on the site, according to an historical account provided by the Westtown Township Historical Commission.

American General Adam Stephen spotted Hessian troops marching across the farm from his lookout atop Sandy Hollow, where the main battle would take place.

Stephen dispatched a party of soldiers to the farm to frustrate the Hessians’ advance towards the American position.

At this site, the Continental Army learn courage to stand up to the best British Troops.