Creation of Delaware County’s newest park, Delco Woods, can move forward now that the county has dropped litigation against Marple for zoning actions at the property, writes Kathleen E. Carey for the Daily Times.

“After several months of working with Marple Township, we were able to come to an agreement regarding the zoning change of the parcel on the Delco Woods property,” county Executive Director Barbara O’Malley announced Nov. 20.

Marple had rezoned the 213-acre Delco Woods property, formerly Don Guanella, as open space.  The county reacted by filing legal actions against Marple asserting Delaware County’s right to develop the property.

Marple’s rezoning decision came after Delaware County officials considered putting long-term residences on the property for people in need of residential mental heath services. 

Those plans were abandoned amid a large public outcry.

The new agreement, backed by a Marple ordinance, allows the county to implement aspects of the Delco Woods Master Plan that may not have been possible with Marple’s rezoning the land as open space.

The ordinance does specifically prohibit the county from “building any residential, transitional housing, rehabilitation or any confinement or care facilities.”

The park’s final master plan will be presented in March. 

Find out more about plans for Delco Woods in the Daily Times.