Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County, a two-time winner of PECO Green Region grants, used its most recent award to improve accessibility at Five Mile Woods Preserve, including the installation of more than 700 linear feet of accessible boardwalk and new ADA-compliant parking.

These upgrades addressed long-standing barriers for individuals with mobility challenges, many of whom are now able to explore the preserve for the first time.

“We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from the community about this trail,” said Monica Tierney, Director of Parks and Recreation at Lower Makefield Township. “It’s not just about making it wheelchair accessible; it’s about making it possible for everyone to enjoy. With the new accessible features, individuals with arthritis, joint replacements, and other mobility challenges can now get outside and experience this local treasure. We’ve seen families who were never able to hike together now enjoying the woods side by side.”

Real Change Starts with People

What makes this project so powerful is that it was entirely led by volunteers. More than 50 volunteers dedicated their time and energy to bringing this project to life, showing what can happen when community members come together with a shared purpose. Their work added heart and humanity to every boardwalk plank, reinforcing that real change starts with people.

The newly accessible trail leads to a lookout and environmental education area nestled in the woods, an immersive natural experience that was previously out of reach for many residents. This transformation supports the broader goals of the Green Region Program: improving community health and well-being by increasing access to open space for everyone, regardless of physical ability.

Now, thanks to this project, residents from Lower Makefield and neighboring communities, like Middletown Township, Falls Township, Yardley Borough, Morrisville, and Newtown Township can enjoy physical access to nature and an educational experience that connects them more deeply to the environment.

About the Five Mile Woods Preserve

• It was purchased by Lower Makefield Township and opened in 1981.
• It’s home to rare and endangered plants and is actively studied by botanists.
• It contains a network of nature trails and is open daily from dawn to dusk.
• The preserve is maintained by Lower Makefield Township and supported by the Friends of Five Mile Woods, a dedicated volunteer group.

PECO’s Green Region Open Space Program, in partnership with Natural Lands, has awarded more than $3 million in funding for more than 400 individual open space improvement projects. These investments help preserve and enhance local green spaces, providing more communities with access to nature. Among other enhancements, these grants have funded the planting of almost 9,000 trees, supported more than 150 upgrades to local parks, built and improved more than 50 miles of trails, and improved access to natural areas.