Chester County Open Space - Watershed Congress 2020

The $217 million dollar overall land purchase unlocked funding from federal state grants. Each dollar invested brought in 2 other dollars to help purchase the open space.

The purchase was funded by splitting the cost burden on 4 different budgets.

• 25% Landowner donated / sold portions of their property for 75% of the going rate

• 25% State funds

• 25% County funds

• 25% Local open space funds

60% of Chester County is now preserved land with trails!

Chester County will gladly help you make a similar program happen in your community.

Currently there may be assessments happening in your Pennsylvania county with the same intentions. For more information on this wonderful Chester county initiative visit Chester County's Open Space website :

 https://chescoplanning.org/OpenSpace/ROE.cfm

Chester County's Department of community development through funding of their Planning Commission this Smart Growth resource protection offers funding to Local Municipalities to update their local policies to accommodate the new open space initiatives.

Chester County would be glad to help your local municipality through information sharing even if you don't live in Chester county. 

Beneficial Budget affects of preserving Open Space

The cost burden of a development of homes is greater than what open space offers.

Many homes generate more tax income but the costs of additional children in the school system, the further municipal costs of police, fire, water, and other public costs.