Concord Township has moved forward with its goal of updating its Comprehensive Recreation, Park, and Open Space Plan. Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to adopt the plan after a brief presentation by Marc Morfei, a landscape architect with Pennoni Engineers.
The goals of the plan are to conserve natural resources, provide for future recreational needs, find opportunities to expand walking and cycling trails, and provide activities for all ages and interests, among others.
Morfei said he is proud of the plan and said the new plan represents a way to better use those lands that are currently underused. “This is really an ongoing commitment the township has made to open space and recreation, especially in recent years.”
He said that during the last five to 10 years, Concord has developed new facilities, and was able to obtain and protect land for open space and recreational use.
Morfei said the plan is “just the latest in a series of plans that have been done over the years that help document what the values of the population are, what the goals of the council are, and what plan actions are.”
He added that the township has been “aggressive” in getting grants for preservation, recreational, and open space projects. In the last seven or eight years, he said, the township has received more than $5 million in grants for those purposes.
But the plan also reflects what many in the township want to see happen. He said a survey done last year showed how people want to invest limited resources.
“By far, and this came through and over again in questions and responses, preservation of open space was almost the single biggest priority that was expressed by the residents,” Morfei said.
According to the resolution accepting the plan, “The Plan and related materials will be used to guide future recreation and conservation decisions.”
Council Co-Vice President John Crossan said while the plan was delayed because of COVID restrictions, there are many detailed recommendations, in the plan that “Council looks forward to incorporating into our budget discussions and budget planning.”
The original plan was adopted in 2007, Crosson said in a follow-up message. “So, this plan guides council in decisions and budgeting in consideration of today’s landscape vs. 2007. That way decisions are strategic rather than ad hoc or reactive.”
A 12-page executive summary of the plan can be found here. The full 176-page plan can be found here.
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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