At one time in the not-too-distant past, the word “trails” was almost anathema in Chadds Ford Township. That was when the idea of Rails to Trails, using an old railroad line as a walking trail, rumbled through the township.
Actions, miscommunications, accusations and opinions over the idea led to a major change in the township’s political landscape. A sitting supervisors’ chairman lost a primary election, and a new board gave the Open Space Committee new members and a new direction.
Now, more than a decade later with different supervisors and a different attitude, the idea of having walking trails is back in favor.
The Open Space Committee, in conjunction with the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, is developing a trail from the township building at Ring Road to the museum along the Brandywine Creek. There is also a push to explore the idea of a “walkable” Chadds Ford Village.
The township, along with the conservancy and the William Penn Foundation, held a workshop on Nov. 13 for a Chadds Ford Master Plan that some hope will lead to that walkable village area.
Prior to the start of the session, Open Space Chairman Deb Reardon said the session was one for “visioning,” getting ideas from residents and business owners about what they would like to see happen in the village area.
“We’re going to start the first level of our plan,” Reardon said. “We’re talking about making connections.”
Those connections include not only face-to-face connections with residents and business owners, but also a connection between the two sides of Route 1 as it runs through the village, she said.
“It’s to create a sense of spirit, of community.” Reardon added.
She said it could take about a year before a definitive plan emerges, and longer still to implement the ideas. Reardon acknowledged it would take time for some people to accept both the concept and the specifics of the plan.
“It’s a vision that’s going to come in layers and expand in ripples,” she said.
Sheila Fleming and Beth Burnam from the conservancy joined Reardon. Burnam, a land planner, also said the meeting was just the first step in developing the master plan.
Several dozen people attending the session broke down into five groups to discuss things they’d like to see happen. Myriad ideas were touched on, with nothing yet being eliminated or accepted as definite.
Some of the ideas included a traffic circle on Route 1 at Hank’s Place and another was having a pedestrian bridge over the road. Still others suggested a trail along the railroad tracks between Route 202 and the village. Some suggested metered parking, sidewalks, and trails in the village area. Another idea that arises frequently is reducing the speed limit on Route 1.
Township Supervisors’ Chairman Keith Klaver took part and said one thing was obvious to him: that he should work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to reduce the speed on Route 1 and to get traffic calming devices installed.
“Consistent with that” Klaver added, “would also be developing our ability to cross [Route 1] with stop lights so we can connect not only our businesses in downtown Chadds Ford, but also have access from various parking areas to the trails we’re talking about.”
Burnam said one of the next steps would be to form a committee to try turning some of the ideas into reality.
Geoffrey Creary, a landscape architect with Simone Collins, is a consultant on the project. He called it an exciting process, but stressed it is a process and is not “an overnight thing.”
“This could take years to develop,” Creary said. “It could take several decades for some of the large items, but some of these things could happen next year.”
He did not elaborate on those specifics, but said what’s needed now is support in the form of establishing the committee to work on the project. And he asked those in attendance to solicit their neighbors to get involved.
Cap: Chadds Ford Township Supervisors’ Chairman Keith Klaver, in the blue sweater, reviews a concept map showing potential trails in Chadds Ford Village as part of a brainstorming session. He said he must to work with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on Route 1.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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