The Radnor Board of Commissioners approved a new 25-year lease on June 24 with the Willows Park Preserve, a nonprofit group that plans to renovate the 100-year-old mansion in the park that’s fallen on hard times, writes Linda Stein for Main Line Media News.

Under the new lease, the Willows Park Preserve will seek arboretum status and Preserve programs will have to comply with township codes.

Evelyn McGravey, a lawyer for Willows Park Preserve, said the non-profit’s work will not restrict public use of the park.

McGravey said the WPP will start phase one within six months and have to make “commercially reasonable efforts” to complete the renovations in four years.  The roof and windows will be replaced among other exterior projects.

Christopher Campbell, chairman of the township parks and recreation board continued to have concerns about the group’s ability to raise funds and the length of the lease, among other matters.

The mansion has been shuttered since 2012.

WPP President Tish Long said that when it’s renovated, the Willows mansion will have a dedicated public space with restrooms that will be open during park hours.

For more information: willowsparkpreserve.org.

Read more about the mansion renovation here.

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