Politics & Government

Grant Awarded To French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

The trust will get $329,000 for an easement.

 

The French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust has been awarded a $329,000 grant to acquire a conservation easement on 58 acres at Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in East Goshen Township. The Trust grant, the largest award in Chester County, was announced by Governor Tom Corbett as part of a $31.5 million investment in recreation, conservation and community revitalization projects statewide.

The grant is a partial match for the previously awarded Chester County Commissioners grant of $474,000. Additional funding for the project has been awarded to the Trust by the Allerton Foundation, the Louis N. Cassett Foundation, and Donald A. Rosato Foundation. Grants awarded to Thorncroft included Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Heldring Family Foundation.

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Preservation of the Thorncroft property completes a nearly 300-acre protected greenway in East Goshen and Willistown townships. 

In addition to preserving the land as open space, a 2,500-foot non-motorized, public-access trail is to be created, linking three farms, two parks, municipal open space and two preserves.

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“This is a perfect example of a wonderful collaboration of governmental, private foundations and generous individual donors coming together and acknowledging the value of the land, the service Thorncroft provides,” said Pam Brown, French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust conservation director, who applied for the grants.

The 58 acres adjoin the 10-acre home of Sallie and Saunders Dixon, who donated an easement to the Trust last year.

Grants from the state and Chester County, foundations and individuals enable Saunders Dixon, founder of Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in East Goshen Township, with his wife Sallie, to preserve 58 acres as open space for passive recreation, greenway expansion and stream protection.

About Thorncroft www.Thorncroft.org.

Thorncroft, founded in 1969 by Saunders Dixon on his family farm, serves more than 375 clients weekly, over half of whom have a disability. Thorncroft’s mission is to help build the physical, emotional and mental well-being of all people, particularly those with special needs, through establishing an atmosphere of cooperation, respect and love in an equestrian environment. We are committed to a mainstreaming approach for teaching horseback riding and to promoting the development of new and independent therapeutic riding programs.

About the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Inc.

Land Preservation

Since its establishment in 1967, the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust has protected nearly 9,500 acres in northern Chester County through purchases, conservation easements and public/private partnerships. It works with landowners, townships, the state and county to purchase and monitor conservation easements, create parkland and preserve environmentally sensitive land.

Trails

Trails provide public access to preserved land, recreational opportunities and beautiful views along northern Chester County’s Exceptional Value waterways. With funding from the state, county and the George and Miriam Martin Foundation, the Trust is engaged in the acquisition and development of the 10-mile French Creek Trail from Warwick County Park to the Kennedy Covered Bridge in East Vincent Township; creating local connections to the regional trail network; and helping to complete the 6-mile Pickering Trail, following the creek in West Pikeland Township from the Mill at Anselma to the township border at Clover Mill Road.

 


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