Beaver Valley land deal finalized
Conservationists on Monday finalized the purchase of an additional 270 acres adjoining the First State Heritage National Park, land that had been in the final stages of approval for a 160-home development just across the state line in Pennsylvania.
The property, purchased thanks to an $8 million fund-raising campaign, will be preserved as open space under an agreement between Woodlawn Trustees, two development companies and The Conservation Fund.
The land borders the 1,100-acre First State Heritage National Park Beaver Valley unit in Delaware. It is a popular spot for runners, horseback riders and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The terms of the purchase were not disclosed but Blaine Phillips Jr. , senior vice president of The Conservation Fund, said it marks a turning point for the Brandywine Valley.
"This is all through private donations," he said. "We now know what we have and what we stand to loose."
Phillips called the acquisition a turning point in the region because it inspired local residents to take action to protect an area that they deeply cared about.
People have been using the trails on the property for decades, but the land was slated for development as part of Woodlawn's mission to both preserve open space, provide affordable rental housing and work on planned development.
The nonprofit, founded in 1901 by Wilmington industrialist William Bancroft, still owns more land in the area. One piece is targeted for commercial development and other remains open for outdoor recreation.
"This will permanently protect Beaver Valley, Phillips said. "No houses ... I call this the half-court jump shot. . . It's a great success story."
STORY: Thousands rally for climate, environment
STORY: Beaver Valley land to be protected
Phillips had previously worked with The Mt. Cuba Center to buy the 1,100 acres along the Brandywine from Woodlawn Trustees. The land was then turned over to the National Parks Service and became a piece of Delaware's National Park. The National Park includes seven sites that trace the early settlement by the Dutch at Lewes, to the Swedes at Wilmington and Old New Castle through the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Just to the south is state-owned Brandywine Creek State Park. The addition of this parcel creates a wide swath of connected, protected land along the Brandywine and its tributaries. Beaver Creek runs through this land.
The purchase of the property known as the Ramsey Farm was a partnership between the Conservation Fund, the Mt. Cuba Center and the Brandywine Conservancy.
“Once again, the steadfast support of Mt. Cuba Center has been crucial in preserving the beautiful landscapes here and across the Brandywine Valley,” Phillips said.
The land includes an old vineyard, open pasture, woods and a stream corridor that is a tributary of the Brandywine. Existing trails run through the property.
“The beauty of this land speaks for itself as to why it is critical to preserve," said Ann C. Rose, president of the Mt. Cuba Center. "The thought of this property being lost to future generations with the addition of hundreds of houses was simply unthinkable.”
The property includes the 240-acre vineyard commons tract and the 30-acre Penns Woods Winery.
The proposed housing development was controversial from the start and became a touchpoint for Save the Valley, a nonprofit which fought it and worked for its conservation.
"I think the biggest win here," said Jason Hoover, executive director of Save the Valley, "is the community really came together to fight back."
The organizations had a deadline of Wednesday, April 26, to raise the $8 million needed for the purchase.
"We had 2,000 donations," Hoover said. "It's one thing to support your cause. It's another thing to write a check."
For Save the Valley, the fight to protect additional land is not over. Hoover said the group is also opposing the proposed Concord Ventures plan to develop about 49 acres off U.S. 202 just across the state line in Pennsylvania. In addition, he said, Woodlawn owns another 321 undeveloped acres in Delaware his organization would like to see preserved.
The land preserved Monday is significant because it includes old-growth forest habitats with 200 to 300-year-old trees and rare plants.
The land record dates back to Colonial times and was acquired by William Penn from the Duke of York in 1682. In 1777, George Washington fought the British nearby at the Battle of the Brandywine.
Contact Molly Murray at (302) 463-3334 or mmurray@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @MollyMurraytnj.