April 24, 2026 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Letter: Let’s Make Chadds Ford a Birdtown

We were excited to read about Chadds Ford Township’s interest in pursuing Birdtown PA, recognition in its August 2025 newsletter. This is a signature program of the Pennsylvania Audubon Council that supports community engagement in building sustainable bird-friendly habitats. The program’s goal is simply to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, wildlife, and people.

Many of our neighbors are like-minded, as evidenced by the beautiful gardens and multiple birdfeeders seen in the community, including the fun Martin Birdhouses at the Chadds Ford Barn Shoppes. My daughter, Emma, is pursuing her Girl Scout Gold Award focused on bird awareness. She collected over 140 signatures from township residents and neighbors in a “Letter of Support” for Chadds Ford to become a Birdtown. There is great interest from our residents.

Birdtown PA aligns with Chadds Ford’s priorities and interests. The program offers its members significant grants, training, and educational resources. It’s a flexible program with no financial obligation or ongoing commitments. Neighboring townships, including Kennett, Bethel, Concord, and Media, are already Birdtowns, so it’s clear that the program is desired and working. There are over 90 Birdtowns in PA.

Proposed activities from a volunteer committee include bird and native plant identification walks and signage; native plantings on our local trails, and educational programs. As the Sunset Hill trail was a former Girl Scout camp, we can come full circle with a Girl Scout honoring its legacy by supporting the enrichment of the land and improving the environment.

The Chadds Ford Open Space committee completed a thorough review of the program and has recommended joining BirdTown PA. The Board of Supervisors Open Space Liaison has recommended participation. A group of volunteers is ready to make it happen. There is no

reason why it should take Chadds Ford a year to get with the program. It’s now up to the Township Supervisors to say… LET’S GO…BIRDS!

Anna Marcotte
Chadds Ford Resident

About CFLive Staff

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Road Report for April 27 to May 1

Road Reports

PennDOT has announced the following weather-dependent road projects that could affect drivers in the greater Chadds Ford area from April 27 to May 1. Motorists are urged to allow extra time traveling through one of the construction zones. Work schedules are subject to change.

• Overhead utility work will cause daytime lane shifts on Cypress Street between 660 E. Cypress and Ways Lane in Kennett Township through June 6.

• Overhead utility work will also cause daytime lane shifts on Route 1 between Ways Lane and Fairville Road in Kennett, Pennsbury, and East Marlborough townships, and on Route 52 between E. Baltimore Pike and Wedgewood Drive in Kennett and Pennsbury townships through June 10.

• Roadway reconstruction will cause lane shifts on the Conchester Highway between Chelsea Parkway and Cherry Tree Road in Upper Chichester from July 21 through October 15.

• Roadway construction will continue next week on Route 1 between the Kennett Oxford Bypass and Greenwood Road in Kennett and East Marlborough townships. From Friday, April 17, through Friday, July 31, motorists should expect daytime lane closures in both direction as crews will mill and overlay Route 1; construct a third travel lane on certain sections of the road in each direction and use existing shoulders and right turn lanes to create a third lane for the rest of the corridor; build sidewalks along the north side of Route 1 from Schoolhouse Road to the Longwood Village Shopping Center entrance; eliminate the left turn movement from Orchard Avenue onto Route 1; install two new Dynamic Message Signs; and upgrade five signalized intersections

• Vegetation management will cause daytime lane closures on Route 82 between Route 842 and Route 926 in East Marlborough Township through April 30.

• Overhead utility work will cause daytime lane shifts on Cypress Street between E. Cypress Street and Ways Lane in Kennett Township, Route 1 between Ways Lane and Fairville Road in Kennett, Pennsbury, and East Marlborough townships, and on Route 52 between E. Baltimore Pike and Wedgewood Drive in Kennett and Pennsbury townships through June 10.

• Vegetation management will cause weekday lane closures on Red Lion Road between Marlboro and Lenape Unionville roads in Pocopson Township through May 1.

• Drivers should expect daytime lane closures on Route 1 between Creek and Ring Roads in Chadds Ford Township through April 30 for roadway construction.

• ADA ramp and sidewalk installation will also cause daytime lane closures on Creek Road between Route 1 and Upper Bank Drive in Chadds Ford Township through April 30.

• Utility construction will cause daytime detours on Route 926 between Concord and Northgate roads in Westtown Township from April 5 through May 9. During the closure, passenger vehicles will be directed to use Concord Road, Oakbourne Road, and Shiloh Road. Trucks will be directed to use Route 202, Route 3, and Route 352.

• Utility installation will cause daytime lane closures on E. Marshall Street at its intersection with N. High Street in West Chester through May 8.

• Intersection reconstruction will cause a full 24/7 closure of Bethel Avenue between Conchester Highway and Cherry Tree Road through late 2026. Detours to be posted.

• Kennett Square is reporting that the Birch Street Reconstruction Project is scheduled to end in the spring of 2026. During this time, Birch Street will experience rolling road closures where one or both lanes of traffic may be closed for a few hundred feet at a time. In general, the road will be open to local traffic, and road closures will be minimized as much as possible. When both lanes of traffic need to be closed for construction activities, access will be available on both sides of Birch Street, from South Broad Street and South Walnut Street.

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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