2007 News

June 20 , 2007

Bucks County Commissioners Accept $87 Million Open Space II Referendum Proposal
Open Space Task Force II Members Receive Accolades from County Board during Bi-Monthly Meeting at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

Touting the final recommendation report of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners’ Open Space Task Force II as “an excellent endeavor, and a good road map to move ahead,” Chairman Charles H. Martin, and colleagues Jim Cawley and Sandy Miller today accepted an $87 million recommendation for the 10-year continuation of the county’s Open Space program. The report approval took place during the board’s bi-monthly meeting at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve – a “perfect place to consider it,” according to Commissioner Martin. (Click here for a copy of the Open Space task Force II Report)

The Open Space program, which generated overwhelming 1997 approval by county voters at an initial contribution level of $59 million, now calls for a November, 2007 referendum renewal dedicated to six clearly delineated areas: Farmland Preservation, County Parkland Acquisition, Natural Areas, Municipal Open Space, Historic Preservation, and the Delaware Riverfront.

“The effectiveness of the first bond issue has provided a good foundation for future efforts,” stated Lynn Bush, executive director of the Bucks County Planning Commission. Bush also noted the significance of collaboration in the endeavor, citing county government’s success leveraging municipal, state and federal dollars to augment preservation efforts.

The breakdown of the overall $87 million recommendation included: Farmland Preservation, 29 percent ($25 million), Municipal Open Space, 30 percent ($26 million), County Parkland and Historic Preservation Acquisition, 20 percent ($18 million), Natural Areas, 13 percent ($11 million), and Delaware Riverfront, 8 percent ($7 million).

Bush told the commissioners and Chief Operating Officer David Sanko that a refreshing new component of the program is Delaware Riverfront preservation. “The Delaware River is a key resource that deserves special attention,” Bush added, pointing to the county’s 17 riverfront municipalities that would benefit from public access to the Delaware River and preservation of riverfront land.

In keeping with the meeting’s environmentally friendly theme, the commissioners approved the county’s $374,460 portion of a 93.615-acre conservation easement of the Benjamin Haskey, III and Elaine Friling farm in Solebury Twp - a corn and hay farm with “very good soils,” according to county Agricultural Preservation Director Rich Harvey, who worked tirelessly to help secure the property as the county’s 105th preserved farm. During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Solebury Twp. conservation leader Malcolm Crooks lauded county officials for their perseverance in protecting the scenic Haskey farm, which is situated near Peddler’s Village, a key tourist destination.

The Haskey farm acquisition brings the county’s inventory of preserved farms to 9,673 acres – keeping the program firmly on track to reach a stated goal of 10,000 acres during 2007.

Overall, the commissioners unanimously approved contracts or agreements with 15 departments, including a Natural Areas Program Grant to acquire a 13-acre conservation easement on the Cole/Simon property in West Rockhill Twp. A priority 1 site, according to Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern, it includes 250 feet of frontage on Ridge Valley Creek.

Constantly seeking ways to save taxpayer dollars, the commissioners approved a contract decrease of $301,350 to the refurbishment of the Core Creek Park tennis courts. The reduction acknowledges the park’s dusk closing, which eliminates the need for permanent lighting fixtures at this time.

Prior to the regularly scheduled agenda, the commissioners recognized Executive Director A. Miles Arnott of the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, who detailed the facility’s 73-year history as “one of the gems of Bucks County.” Opened during the 1930’s Great Depression, the preserve “showcases Pennsylvania’s native flora,” including 1,000 different types of wildflowers, Arnott explained.

The commissioners presented three commendations, one of which designated Alyson Pierce of Central Bucks South as the “High School Poet of the Year.” Pierce recited her poem, “Stretch.” In addition, Dr. Allen Hoey of Bucks County Community College thanked the commissioners for their continued support of the high-school poet program, now in its 20th year.

Martin, Cawley and Miller also presented two annual awards on behalf of the Bucks County Conservation District, commending PA Rep. David J. Steil (Dist. 31) as “Legislator of the Year” and Gail Hill of Peace Valley Nature Center as “Educator of the Year.”

“It is truly a privilege to work with the students of central Bucks,” Hill said upon accepting her honor.