Delaware County conservationists see a green future in a 213-acre Marple property, and they want similar green spaces across the county. But what they need is money, and taxpayers could open that door if a green space bond referendum was added to November’s election ballot and approved by voters.

Volunteers with Save Marple Greenspace made that pitch at the Media Courthouse this week, and it is now up to the Delaware County Council to decide whether or not the question will be asked of voters.

“This will benefit mature neighborhoods in the eastern and southern parts of the county,” Save Marple Greenspace Communications Coordinator Ken Hemphill said in a Delaware County Daily Times report by Rick Kauffman.

“We’ll be able to establish pocket parks, athletic field renewals, and for many there’s probably a county park closer to them (than Don Guanella).”

If asked to voters and approved, the Council would have a 10-year authorization to issue bonds for the purpose of purchasing land or easements for conservation.

“Really all it is is an authorization from your voters,” Radnor Commissioner Elaine Paul Schaefer told Council members in the article. “You can decide later how you’re going to pay for the debt payments. … The vote would provide for the option of funding future purchases or projects through a bond, but not the obligation.”

In addition to improving the watershed, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission claims land conservation raises property values by $69,000 around protected green spaces.

Read more about the push for a green space bond referendum in the Delaware County Daily Times here.