2024 Success Stories
Posted May 1, 2025
There's so much that happens each year across Chester County — from preserving farms forever, to new plans, parks, and trails. The years come and go, but we don't want to forget the successes they bring. Below you'll find stories under each of the six goal areas and vision of Landscapes3. Click through to see a glimpse of what took place in 2024!
Preserve Goal
Bryn Coed Preserve Receives Great Places Award
In August of 2024, the Bryn Coed Preserve, located in the Chester Springs area, was featured as one of the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association's 2024 Great Places in Pennsylvania. The award states, "Bryn Coed not only demonstrates the importance of land protection and its many community benefits but also serves as a model for what can be accomplished through public-private partnerships and collaboration." This supports the Landscapes3 Preserve Objective E, "Promote the benefits of protecting and appropriately managing open space by pursuing initiatives that inform and educate."
Historic Property in East Nantmeal Protected Forever
The 95-acre Keen Property was the last and largest remaining unprotected woodland tract surrounding the historical Village of Nantmeal before it was the preserved in June of 2024. A conservation easement through the Natural Lands Trust now allows the property to stay in private ownership, ensuring its scenic vistas, rolling terrain, wetlands, streams, and woodlands all remain forever. This preservation effort supports the Landscapes3 Preserve Recommendation 5, "Enhance protection of cultural resources." Photo Credit: Natural Lands
Preservation Partnership Program Funds Nearly $6.7 Million
Chester County's Preservation Partnership Program funded nearly $6.7 million in open space preservation and park improvement grants in 2024. This included a total of 16 grants ranging from $11,533 to East Coventry Township for environmental restoration of the East Coventry Nature Preserve, to $2 million to Natural Lands to expand the William Penn State Forest. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Preserve Recommendation 4, "Create additional recreational properties."
Chester County's Protected Open Space Numbers Continue to Rise
With over 31.1% of the county's land reported as protected as open space at the end of 2023, this number continued to rise to 31.5% in 2024. Projects such as North Coventry Township's 55-acres through French and Pickering, Willistown Township's 90-acre Kestrel Hill Preserve, and Westtown Township's 300+ acre historic Crebilly Farm contributed to this increase, among others. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Preserve Objective A, "Protect a significant portion of Chester County as preserved farms, open space, forests, public parks, or nature preserves."
Protect Goal
Water Resources Authority Adopts Watersheds 2045
Chester County's new County-wide integrated water resources plan, Watersheds 2045, was adopted by the Chester County Commissioners in January of 2024. The original Watersheds plan, released in 2002, guided two decades of efforts to protect and enhance streams, lakes, and groundwater. The newly revised plan will continue that legacy and will also serve as the county's Rivers Conservation Plan and Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. This supports the Landscapes3 Protect Objective F, "Ensure a safe, clean, long-term supply of water to meet the current and future needs of residents and businesses."
CCPC Supports HOA Sustainability Initiatives
CCPC's Sustainability Division hosted a variety of sustainability initiatives in 2024 to support Homeowners Associations (HOAs). This included a Sustainability Summit for HOAs in April, roundtable discussions focusing on different topics throughout the summer, a sustainability action plan template, toolkits, and a sustainable HOAs webpage. This supports the Landscapes3 Protect Objective C, "Support municipal and regional natural resource protection efforts, and promote a resource-based planning approach."
CCPC Releases Climate Action Plan Metrics
In 2024 CCPC measured the progress of the county's Climate Action Plan implementation thus far through a series of 19 metrics. The four key areas included buildings and energy; transportation and land use; waste management; and agriculture, food, and forestry. This supports the Landscapes3 Protect Recommendation 1, "Promote benefits of natural resource protection" as well as Connect Objective E, "Promote safe, sustainable, and resilient energy and communications systems at the local, regional, and national level."
Appreciate Goal
County Adopts Heritage Tourism Plan
The Chester County Commissioners adopted a new Heritage Tourism Plan, commissioned by CCPC, in April of 2024. The purpose of the plan is to increase heritage tourism in the county as an economic factor; encourage preservation of an investment in heritage sites and resources; and raise public awareness of the significance of the county's historic communities and landscapes. Funding for the plan was provided by the Delaware Valley Regional Economic Development Fund. This supports the Landscapes3 Appreciate Recommendation 1, "Expand heritage tourism programs."
Town Tours & Village Walks Program Celebrates 30th Anniversary
The county's annual Town Tours & Village Walks program celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024, with more than 1,700 visitors coming out to explore the sites and stories of Chester County's past. In addition to the program's 30th anniversary, the tours kicked off with the celebration of West Chester Borough's 225th anniversary and concluded with the 50th anniversary of Historic Yellow Springs. This program supports the Landscapes3 Appreciate Objective D, "Preserve the stories of our cultural heritage and connect them to our residents and our future."
CCPC Releases Village Preservation Guide
With 80 villages across the county, CCPC released a Village Preservation Guide in 2024 to help local municipalities preserve their villages, while still allowing them to change and grow to remain relevant in their communities. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Appreciate Objective B, "Protect historic town centers and villages for continued prominence in our future growth and sense of place."
County Supports Upcoming America's 250th Anniversary Through CC250
Chester County continued to support the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation through the America250PA Chester County Commission (CC250) in 2024. In addition to various county departments, as of April 2024, 24 municipalities had taken the pledge to make the 250th a celebration with a purpose. This supports the Landscapes3 Appreciate Objective D, "Preserve the stories of our cultural heritage and connect them to our residents and our future."
CCPC Releases Adaptive Reuse Guide
In October of 2024, CCPC released an Adaptive Reuse Guide to assist individuals and communities in getting started with adaptive reuse, including project initiation, feasibility, and implementation. The guide also provides examples and a map locator for current adaptively reused structures throughout the county. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Appreciate Objective A, "Preserve historic resources in their context while supporting appropriate reuse as a vital part of our community infrastructure and character," as well as Recommendation 7, "Promote adaptive reuse and compatible development."
Live Goal
Atglen Borough Opens New Park
In August of 2024 Atglen Borough celebrated the opening of their new Atglen Borough Hall Park, combining a nature play area and traditional park elements to serve their community. The park took 8 years to complete and cost $1.3 million for its engineering, design, and construction, with support from the community, the county's Community Revitalization Program, and a PA DCNR grant. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 10, "Enhance and expand recreational opportunities."
Chester County Library Opens Bike Repair Station
In July of 2024, the Chester County Library (Exton) opened a new bike repair station equipped with a wheel pump, various tools, and a bike rack. The free-to-use station is located next to the main parking lot and is available for anyone to use, serving as a great resource to the public. This supports the Landscapes3 Live Objective F, "Support access to quality educational opportunities and community facilities through development, maintenance, and promotion of appropriate facilities and programs."
Department of Emergency Services Launches New 9-1-1 System
In January of 2024 the Chester County Department of Emergency Services (DES) transitioned its Emergency Communications Center to Next Generation 9-1-1. This system is a faster and more efficient way for the county to receive emergency calls and associated caller information and, when needed, transfer them to other 9-1-1 call centers in PA. This update supports the Landscapes3 Live Recommendation 8, "Provide exemplary emergency services."
Keep Chester County Beautiful Hosts Campaign Sign Recycling Events
In November of 2024, Keep Chester County Beautiful hosted its first campaign sign recycling event in partnership with Recycling Services, Inc., Caln Township, East Whiteland Township, Uwchlan Township and the SECCRA landfill. The event resulted in an estimated 1,000 pounds of metal from the sign frames and over 600 pounds of plastic film being recycled. This initiative supports implementation of the Landscapes3 Live Goal, "Nurture diverse and well-rounded communities with a balance of residential opportunities and convenient access to community facilities, services, and amenities."
Prosper Goal
CCPC Releases Redevelopment/Reinvestment Map & Resources
In January of 2024, CCPC released a new online resource for municipalities looking to discover potential redevelopment and reinvestment opportunities within their communities. The webpages provide resources, strategies, and land preparation steps, as well as an interactive map. This supports the Landscapes3 Prosper Objective C, "Support redevelopment and strategic infrastructure investment to maximize community assets, capitalize on existing infrastructure, and provide areas for residential and commercial growth."
Businesses Expand Footprint and Jobs in Chesco
Frontage Laboratories, Inc., a global pharmaceutical development company, expanded their footprint in Chester County in 2024 by adding 46,300 sq ft to their current 150,000 sq ft space in Eagleview, bringing their total footprint to about 200,000 sq ft . Additionally, Fruh Packaging, a Swiss pharmaceutical packaging company, settled in Eagleview as their first American headquarters. The two companies bring hundreds of jobs to Chester County. This supports the Landscapes3 Prosper Recommendation 4, "Retain and expand existing businesses." Photo Credit: Daily Local News and the Hankin Group
Supporting Local Agriculture
The county released its annual Farm Guide in the spring of 2024, including over 125 local farms and markets, a "what's in season" chart, and various ag- related stories. Additionally, the county's focus on the importance of agriculture and agriculture economic development led to a strategic restructure and partnership with the Chester County Economic Development Council in 2024 through AgConnect. This supports the Landscapes3 Prosper Objective D, "Encourage the agricultural industry so that its diverse businesses models and workforce can adapt and thrive, continuing as a vital component of county industry and land use."
Connect Goal
County Receives SolSmart Gold Designation
Chester County Government received national gold level SolSmart recognition for encouraging the growth of clean, affordable solar energy at the local level in 2024. Additionally, three Chester County municipalities obtained SolSmart designation: East Goshen Township (silver), Kennett Square Borough (bronze), and Tredyffrin Township (bronze). This recognition supports the Landscapes3 Connect Objective E, "Promote safe, sustainable, and resilient energy and communications systems at the local, regional, and national level."
Chester Valley Trail Funding and Updates
There were numerous updates to the Chester Valley Trail project status in 2024, including funding from DCED's Multimodal Transportation Fund through the FY25 PA Transportation Improvement Program, funding from DVRPC's Regional Trails Program, DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program, and a design contract award. CCPC launched a webpage to keep track of these updates. This supports the Landscapes3 Connect Recommendation 7, "Create a countywide, interconnected trail network."
CCPC Hosts Solar Adopters Conference
Chester County's Environmental and Energy Advisory Board and its partners hosted the county's first Solar Adopter's Conference on January 18, 2024, at the nth Innovation Center in Coatesville. The half-day event featured presentations from nine solar industry experts who shared information geared toward building the knowledge of those considering solar energy systems. This supports the Landscapes3 Connect Recommendation 9, "Support a resilient and clean energy network."
County Adopts New Public Transportation Plan
Chester County adopted a new Public Transportation Plan in November of 2024, which will address any changes to SEPTA's Bus Revolution and Reimagining Regional Rail projects that may create additional issues and/or service gaps, and identify any necessary changes in policy or additional services that may be required to create a public transit system to best serve the needs of all Chester County residents. The plan provides a strategic planning framework for three main transportation subject areas: System, Environment, and Experience. This plan supports the Landscapes3 Connect Objective A, "Meet travel needs and reduce congestion through transportation demand management, roadway improvements, and expanded public transportation."
County Adopts New Trails Plan
Chester County adopted a Trails Master Plan in December of 2024 to establish a framework for future trail development in Chester County, creating connections between different trail networks, providing more equitable trail access, and filling critical trail "gaps" in the trail network. This plan supports the Landscapes3 Connect Objective C, "Provide universally accessible sidewalks, trails, and public transit connections to create a continuous active transportation network within designated growth areas and develop multi-use trails to interconnect all communities."
County Convenes Local Government Climate Action Team
Chester County and its Environmental and Energy Advisory Board continued to convene a Local Government Climate Action Team in 2024, with about 15 municipalities participating. The group made progress on how to regulate electric vehicle charging through municipal ordinances; created a toolkit for incentivizing the energy transition in new construction and renovation projects through zoning and subdivision ordinances; and launched a Municipal Directory for Sustainability Innovations. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Connect Objective E, "Promote safe, sustainable, and resilient energy and communications systems at the local, regional, and national level."
The Vision
CCPC Completes 5 Year Assessment of Landscapes3
With Landscapes3 reaching its midpoint in 2023 (5 years in), CCPC completed an assessment of the plan's first five years in May of 2024. An overview was presented at a special meeting, A Changing World and Chester County, with attendees including Landscapes3 partners, members of the steering committee, stakeholders, planners, municipal officials, and representatives from the EEAB and CC250. CCPC staff addressed new and developing trends and their impact on planning, followed by breakout discussions with participants about the key issues affecting their communities and lives. This initiative supports the Landscapes3 Vision by helping to balance preservation and growth through the plan's six goals.
Municipalities Receive more than $200,000 in VPP Funding
Chester County municipalities received more than $200,000 in VPP funding in 2024 for various projects throughout the county to prepare comprehensive plans, studies, updates, and zoning ordinance amendments. . The first-round recipients included Kennett Square Borough, Malvern Borough, Upper Uwchlan Township, and New Garden Township; and the second round recipients included the Borough of Downingtown, East Pikeland Township, and Honey Brook Township and Borough. This supports the Landscapes3 Vision by promoting effective municipal, multi-municipal, and partner cooperation.
CCPC Completes Landscapes3 Design Guide Series
CCPC's final design guide, the Agricultural Landscapes Design Guide, was released in 2024 completing the six-guide series. Each of the six guides focus on new development within the landscapes found in Chester County — urban, suburban center, suburban, rural center, rural, and agricultural — and feature both planning principles and design elements to follow. This series supports the Landscapes3 Vision by providing guidance of new development.
CCPC Launches New VPP Rolling Mini-Grant Program
CCPC launched Rolling Mini-Grants as part of the county's Vision Partnership Program in 2024, allowing municipalities to apply at any time during the year to quickly implement specific CCPC municipal outreach initiatives that implement Landscapes3 including open space, solar energy, natural resources, affordable housing, active transportation, complete streets, historic villages, and ag-friendly communities. This supports the Landscapes3 Vision by promoting effective multi-municipal and partner cooperation.