After years of effort, a deal was reached earlier this month to preserve Chester County’s Crebilly Farm, a historic 308-acre site of a skirmish during the largest battle of the American Revolution, by converting it into a public park and protecting it from future development, writes Michael Tanenbaum for the PhillyVoice. 

Located in Westtown Township at the intersection of Routes 202 and 926, the farm is one of the last remaining open spaces in the township.

This sparked action among Chester County residents seven years ago when developer Toll Brothers unveiled plans to purchase the property and then subdivide it for a 317-unit residential community. 

“It is a piece of property that has spoken to people in a way that doesn’t often happen,” said Oliver Bass, president of Natural Lands, which played a pivotal role in the land’s preservation. 

The nonprofit originally bought secured conservation easements for a third of the property for around $4.5 million. Thanks to residents voting to approve an increase in local taxes and a number of local donations, another $20 million was raised to purchase the remainder of the farm. 

Read more about the work that paid off to save Crebilly Farm in the PhillyVoice. 

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA Today in November 2024.