EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

How to read this plan

INTRODUCTION

Introduction
What is Open Space
What this Open Space Does
The Plan
The Process
The Strategy
The Vision

AUDIT OF 1995 OPEN SPACE PLAN

Introduction
Process
Mapping
Summary of Accomplishments & Gaps in Achieving the 1995 Open Space Plan Goals
Evaluation of Accomplishments & Gaps in Achieving the 1995 Open Space Plan Recommendations

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Historic Background
Regional Setting
Local Setting
Geography
Transportation Infrastructure
Land Use Analysis
 Overview
 Historical Land Use Pattern
 Current Land Use Pattern
 Land Use Summary
Demographic Analysis
 Population Density
 Population Composition by Age
 Income
 Age of Housing Inventory
 Housing Types
 Employment
Growth Projections
Status of Relevant Plans

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Community Survey
Stakeholder Forums
Goals and Objectives

INVENTORY OF EXISTING PROTECTED LANDS

Introduction
Public vs. Private Space
Permanently Protected Lands
 Municipal Park Lands
 Other Municipal Lands
 Public School Lands
 Other Protected Lands
 Conservation Agreement, Deed Restricted Lands
 Homeowner Protected Lands
 Conservancy Lands
Temporarily Protected Lands
 Residential Properties over 5 Acres
 Other Properties over 5 Acres
 Institutional Lands
Conclusion

INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES

Introduction
Vulnerable Resource Issues
Resource Conservation Protections
Resource Conservation Areas
Inventory of Potentially Vulnerable Resources
 Historic and Cultural Resources
 Scenic Resources
 Geology
 Topography
 Soils
 Surface Waters
 Vegetation and Wildlife
 Protected Natural Resource Areas
Conservation Opportunities
Heritage Resource Conservation

POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES

Introduction
What are Open Space Linkages
Benefits of Open Space Linkages
Issues Regarding Open Space Linkages
Existing Township Trail Network
Regional Trail Network
Potential Trail Connections

EVALUATION OF RECREATIONAL RESOURCES

Introduction
Summary of Issues Impacting the Township
Assessment of Parks and Recreation Facilities
Recreation Trends in Lower Merion
Summary

ANALYSIS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Introduction – What is Green Infrastructure
Types of Green Infrastructure
 Linkages
 Enhancing Commercial Areas
 Provide Green Relief in Underserved Residential Neighborhoods
 Public Spaces
 Parks and Recreational Areas
 Shade Trees
Township-wide Community Greening Coordinator
Green Infrastructure and Montgomery County Open Space Funds

EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS

Introduction
Methodology
Current Needs
Continuing Open Space Needs

RELATIONSHIP TO STATE, COUNTY AND ABUTTING MUNICIPAL PLANS

Pennsylvania
Growing Greener I & II (DCNR)
 Schuylkill River Heritage Trail
 Pennsylvania Greenways Action Plan
Delaware Valley Region
 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
 Darby Creek Watershed Conservation Plan
 Greenspace Alliance Regional Open Space Report
Montgomery County Municipalities
 West Conshohocken Borough
 Conshohocken Borough
Montgomery County Green Fields Green Towns Program
 Montgomery County Schuylkill River Greenway Stewardship Study
 Upper Merion Township
 Narberth Borough
 Whitemarsh Township
Delaware County Municipalities
 Radnor Township
 Haverford Township
City of Philadelphia
 Philadelphia Planning Commission
 Philadelphia – New River City
 Schuylkill River Development Corporation
 Manayunk Development Corporation
 East Falls Development Corporation
 City Avenue Special Services District
 Green City Strategy
 Fairmount Park Commission

RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of Analysis in Light of Open Space Needs and Goals
Realities
Inventories
Opportunities
Possibilities
Recommendations
 New Playfields
 Create an ‘Emerald Necklace’ of Linked Open Spaces
Schuylkill River Trail
 Section 5
 Section 4
 Harry Olsen Trail
 Section 2
 Section 1
Township-Wide Pedestrian Bicycle Network
Bridlewild Network
R-6 Rail to Trail
Rockland Avenue Bridge
Create new Open Spaces in Commercial and Underserved Residential Neighborhoods
Preserve and Enhance the Greene Country Towne
 Gateways
 Corridors
 Streets
 Nodes
Additional Green Infrastructure Recommendations
Permanently Protect Institutions and Large Properties over 5-Acres
Natural Resource Protection
 Recreation Recommendations
 Heritage Resource Protection
Recommended Ordinances or Methods to Protect Open Space Other Than Through Investment

IMPLEMENTATION

Introduction
Partnerships
Schuylkill River Trail
Create an ‘Emerald Necklace’ of Linked Open Spaces
Locate and Develop New Athletic Fields
Create New Open Spaces in Underserved Residential Areas
Create New Open Spaces in Commercial Areas
Green Infrastructure Enhancements
Establish a Multi-use Trail along the R-6 Line from Cynwyd Station to Manayunk
Implement the Township-Wide Pedestrian Bicycle Plan
Heritage Resource Protection
Sources of Funding and Technical Assistance