Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am writing to you once again with another important land protection update. 

As many of you know, for years, Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) has been interested in the future of Rock Hill Farm, a 246-acre property bordered by South Valley, Grubbs Mill, and White Horse Roads. We have been in discussions with both the former and current owners to explore ways to protect the land’s conservation values that would permanently preserve the natural and scenic resources found here.

Since the sale of Rock Hill Farm last year, WCT has continued to have conversations with the current owner with the hope that we can work toward a conservation outcome for the entire property. We are not able to share the specific details of easement discussions, but what we can tell you is that we are continuing to prioritize our conservation work at Rock Hill Farm. 

WCT’s role is to assist landowners in identifying constructive uses and protections for their property, particularly those with sensitive environmental features. Rock Hill Farm is a special property with an abundance of meadows, forests, historical structures, and a section of Crum Creek. Its open space connects with several conserved properties and other large tracts of land that provide important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, as well as scenic views for the enjoyment of the many people who travel along the South Valley Road corridor by bike, foot, or car. 

For years, WCT has assisted with the stewardship of Rock Hill Farm through tree plantings, and we’ve used the property as a site for our Watershed Protection Program’s research, which includes monthly water chemistry analysis and three years of annual macroinvertebrate sampling. We care deeply about what happens here, just like you do. And we pledge to do what we can to achieve a positive outcome.

Thank you for your steadfast support and shared concern about the future of this region’s open space. Please send this letter to your own friends and neighbors, and we will do our best to keep you updated on our progress.

Sincerely,

Kate Etherington

CONNECT

GIVE

LEARN

PARTICIPATE

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For over 25 years, land protection has been the core of Willistown Conservation Trust’s (WCT) mission. Thanks to the generosity of the community and local landowners, and support of partnering organizations and funders, WCT has assisted in the conservation of thousands of acres in the region.

Despite these wonderful conservation success stories, there are pockets of open space, some quite large, that remain unprotected and vulnerable to development. WCT closely monitors these properties and their environmental resources, oftentimes for years, and tries to build relationships with landowners to work towards a conservation outcome – preserving open space for the protection and health of natural resources, and the enjoyment by the greater community.

Earlier this fall, we learned that Kirkwood Farm, a 218 acre parcel in the heart of the Willistown countryside between Providence and Plumsock Roads, surrounded by conserved lands, and a critical component of an established greenway, was to be marketed for sale. Its beauty and special natural resources include rolling hills and grasslands, mature woodlands, and two headwater tributaries to the high quality Ridley Creek. The Farm provides prime habitat for numerous species of wildlife and includes critical areas for declining nesting and migratory birds. It offers respite and visual beauty to the many people who travel the Providence Road corridor and use Plumsock Road for recreational enjoyment.

Although the real estate listing just became public, WCT and other conservation organizations have been working to develop a collaborative strategy to ultimately save this critical property from over-development. It remains a complex process due to several factors including the unusually strong real estate market and intense development pressure. We share this news because we know that you care about the countryside and desire, as we do, to preserve its rich reservoir of natural, scenic and recreational resources that could be lost forever if the property is converted into a multi-lot residential development.

It is our desire to help facilitate a plan that appeals to the owner and also ensures the protection of these natural resources. We will continue to work towards a positive solution and will strive to keep you informed. Meanwhile, please know that we are exceedingly grateful for your support and will work to achieve the best possible conservation outcome for Kirkwood Farm.

Please send this letter to concerned friends, neighbors, and conservationists who might wish to stay informed and learn more about the mission and programs of WCT.

Sincerely,

Kate Etherington

CONNECT

GIVE

LEARN

PARTICIPATE

Of the 16 acres, nine will be added to the Trust’s Kirkwood Preserve

Willistown Conservation Trust is pleased to announce that up to nine acres will be added to Kirkwood Preserve, and seven acres surrounding the public nature preserve will ultimately be permanently protected with a conservation easement, thanks to a partnership with Delchester Group Inc. (DGI). Through the protection of the 16 acres, the Trust is forever preserving both critical bird habitat and an important piece of history within the Willistown countryside.

The 16-acre property – commonly known as the “Massey Farm” or the “Alpaca Barn” – can be found on Grubbs Mill Road, where it has gone on and off the market for the past couple of years. When the Trust and DGI learned that a developer from out of town was proposing to purchase the land and build up to four homes on Grubbs Mill and Goshen Roads, they knew they had to act quickly. Surrounded by conserved open space, public preserves, and the adjacent Historic White Horse Corner, development would be devastating to the natural and historic landscape of Willistown. DGI’s community of investors purchased the property in September; the Trust plans to purchase nine acres from DGI through private and public fundraising, and DGI will hold the remaining seven acres until the group finds a conservation buyer willing to preserve the property’s beauty, rural character, and open space. 

The Trust’s nine acres will allow Kirkwood Preserve to expand across Grubbs Mill Road, with new public walking trails anticipated. Additionally, this parcel is part of the Upper Ridley/Crum Important Bird Area, and its rich habitat has been identified by the Audubon Society as critical for bird conservation. The grasslands on this property are vital for nesting birds. Listed as a Class II historic resource by Willistown Township, its conservation also preserves the history and legacy of Thomas Massey who purchased the land among 500 acres in 1699, and later passed it on to his son, James Massey who built the “James Massey House” (c.1790) and historic barn that exist on the property today.

The Trust intends to refurbish this Chester County, stone-posted bank barn, in addition to hosting many volunteer days at this site to clean up debris, remove invasive plant species, and spruce up the outdoor spaces around the barn and other structures. Stay tuned for a future volunteer day!