Dinniman to Speak on Barclay Grounds Friday

Senator Andy Dinniman will be in West Chester on Friday to talk about preserving the borough's Barclay Grounds, according to a release from his office.

From his website:

"Saving the Barclay Grounds is worth every bit of energy and determination we can muster.

The Barclay Grounds is not only on the National Register of Historic Places, the property embodies West Chester’s soul, its essence of open spaces and historic places.

The Barclay Grounds has been threatened four times since the late 1960’s, but each time borough residents and friends have stood up to its destruction. Once, a resident even stood in front of a bulldozer and reportedly said, “Over my dead body.”

Thanks to their actions, the Barclay Grounds and its magnificent collection of 100-foot specimen trees remain standing, just as they have for more than 150 years.

Now it is our turn to protect this property. I understand there are no easy solutions and that the West Chester Borough Council has legal parameters to follow in the land-development process, and that the deadline for final development approval is a short three weeks away. That is why I am hosting a public brainstorming session on Friday (Sept. 6) from noon to 1 p.m. at my office at One North Church Street."