The Township last prepared an Open Space and Environmental Resource
Protection Plan in 1995. This section reviews that document with particular
attention to the degree to which the goals and recommendations have been
implemented. Since 1995, Lower Merion has aggressively pursued several
preservation initiatives, including the adoption of a Historic Preservation
Ordinance in 2000. This section also evaluates the 1995 Plan in light
of the Township’s subsequent preservation efforts and begins of
process of identifying new open space, natural resources and environmental
protection issues. New open space preservation issues are raised and
addressed throughout the body of this 2005 Plan.
PROCESS
The Open Space Plan Committee, comprised of elected officials, open
space stakeholders, Township consultants Natural Lands Trust and Campbell
Thomas and Associates and Township staff, met in April 2004 to evaluate
the recommendations in the 1995 plan and the degree to which the Township
had been able to implement the recommendations. From this meeting it
was determined that:
- General mapping would be updated by the consultant and Township
staff, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) format where possible;
and
- The Committee would review goals and objectives in order to determine
where updates and new goals are necessary; and
- A new plan would incorporate the open space linkages, trails and
Schuylkill River links set forth in the Township-wide Pedestrian and
Bicycle Pathway Study, and the Mill Creek Open Space Network; and
- The committee would further explore how to determine which land is
appropriate for purchase and how to create an enhanced system of open
space for the benefit of all Township residents.
MAPPING
Natural Lands Trust, Campbell Thomas and Associates and Township staff
updated inventories and mapping from the 1995 Plan and integrated this
information into the Township’s GIS. Mapping from other relevant
open space, natural features and recreation plans was also incorporated
into the GIS database.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GAPS
IN ACHIEVING THE 1995 OPEN SPACE PLAN GOALS
GOAL 1: Develop a shared vision of open space, which enhances
the quality of life for all Township residents.
Accomplishments: In general, this goal was met through completion
of the 1995 Open Space Plan; substantial public involvement (including
monetary donations) and support of the acquisition of Rolling Hill
Park; a monitoring program for open space in open space subdivisions
with assistance from the Lower Merion Conservancy; and continued fine-tuning
of the Open Space Preservation District and other natural features
ordinances. The outpouring of public support for open space and recreation
services in the 2004 Resident’s Survey verifies that Township
efforts, along with those of local environmental education, conservancies,
and other non-profit organizations are important to residents.
GOAL 2: Create an enhanced system of open space for the
benefit of all Township residents.
Accomplishments: The 1995 Open Space Plan called for several short-term
implementation steps, nearly all of which have been accomplished. Highlights
include: purchasing Rolling Hill Park; developing an access and use
plan for the park; completing the Mill Creek Open Space Network Plan;
working with the Lower Merion Conservancy and encouraging landowners
to dedicate or sell trail easements; completing an updated map of parks
and other recreational facilities; and developing additional recreational
facilities (Richie Ashburn Park).
Gaps: Although the Township maintains an inventory of parcels of
five or more acres, the 1995 plan suggested that smaller open space
sites should be inventoried. This was not completed. Additional playing
fields (which require at least 5 acres of land) are still needed.
GOAL 3: Preserve the Township’s cultural, historical
and environmental context.
Accomplishments: The Township’s award-winning historic preservation
programs have been strengthened over the past decade, although threats
to historic resources have intensified due to infill development pressure.
Accomplishments include: development of a maintenance program for Township-owned
buildings; design guidelines for historic districts; the addition of
the General Wayne historic district; a historic preservation ordinance;
a staff/consultant to assist with HARB applications; and creation of
a Historical Commission. The Lower Merion Historical Society and Lower
Merion Conservancy provide educational programs to residents.
Gaps: In spite of strong local tools and enforcement of historic
preservation standards, demolition of historic structures occurs and
is difficult to prevent.
GOAL 4: Achieve maximum protection of environmental resources
through the creation of interconnected open spaces.
Accomplishments: The 1995 plan suggested a strong educational component.
The Township is fortunate to have two organizations, the Lower Merion
Conservancy and Riverbend Educational Center, that offer extensive
education to adults and children regarding the Township’s natural
resources.
Gaps: Many of the trails in Lower Merion are “informal,” located
on private land and not protected by conservation easement. One new
owner blocking a trail can eliminate connections.
GOAL 5: Exercise responsible stewardship of public and
private open space.
Accomplishments: Lower Merion Township is one of the few municipalities
in the Commonwealth to have adopted stewardship plans for natural resources.
The Township adopted a management plan for Rolling Hill Park; an inventory
of all Township owned natural lands; and, a staffed, stewardship/natural
areas management program within the Parks and Recreation Department.
The natural areas program is currently on hold due to budget limitations,
but is expected to be included in the 2006 budget. The Township has
also received funds and planted riparian buffers, the Ashbridge Park
plantings setting an excellent example of responsible stewardship.
The Township requires management plans for open space in new subdivisions.
The Lower Merion Conservancy assists in monitoring these areas.
Gaps: Land Stewardship is an emerging field not understood by the
general public. As an example landowners are often unaware that clearing
and mowing to the edge of a stream increases erosion and lowers water
quality. Private landowners need to be educated through multi-media
education and demonstration projects about the merits of managing natural
lands.
EVALUATION OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND GAPS IN ACHIEVING THE 1995
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATION 1: Creating a Linked Open Space System
Evaluation:
- It is Township policy that all development proposals include an
evaluation of potential on site open space and potential linkages to
existing parklands and public facilities. This effort is easier to
implement utilizing the Township GIS.
- Recreational use of narrow portions of the open space system is generally
restricted to passive activities except where necessary to implement
existing or planned recreational trails.
- The Township does consider the findings of the Mill Creek Open Space
Study and Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor Plan when making conservation
and park planning decisions. The Township is considering developing
other stream open space networks.
RECOMMENDATION 2: Open Space Preservation Techniques
Evaluation:
- Additional open space parcels are preserved through regulatory actions,
(implementation of ordinances and amendments to ordinances requiring
open space), easements (through land development) and donations. Fee
simple acquisition requires public input and consent of the Board of
Commissioners.
- Private and institutional landowners are encouraged to dedicate conservation
easements.
- The Township does encourage and support non-profit conservation groups
such as the Lower Merion Conservancy.
- The Township has not developed a public handout explaining unprotected
and vulnerable resources to assist in determining preservation areas.
RECOMMENDATION 3: Parklands/Recreational Facilities
Evaluation:
- The Township has completed a recreational needs study as part of
the 1996 Parks and Recreation Plan.
- The Township is currently (as part of this Plan) acquiring new park
recreation property to meet needs identified in the Parks and Recreation
Plan, with particular emphasis on developing open spaces (pocket parks)
in underserved neighborhoods.
- The Township is developing Rolling Hill Park as a Community Park
and limiting uses to passive activities compatible with site conditions.
A master plan was prepared in 1999.
- The Township has not installed or publicized an experimental section
of a public nature trail to date, but plans on doing so as a feature
of this Plan.
- The Township has conducted a feasibility study of a Township-wide
trail network, linking existing trail resources (Bridlewild) with Township
amenities and the Schuylkill River. Sidewalks were included in this
evaluation.
POLICIES AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING OPEN SPACE
Policies Evaluation:
- General policies outlined in the 1995 Lower Merion Township Open
Space Study are still applicable:
- Act to preserve identified resources.
- Encourage private as well as public efforts to preserve open
space.
- Make open space efforts geographically diverse.
- Connect resources to maximize usefulness.
- Use development process to augment specific open space preservation
efforts.
- When considering open space purchases, the Township still utilizes
the decision making tree. (Included in the implementation section of
this plan)
Methods Evaluation:
- The methods outlined in this section have either been implemented
or incorporated into this document for continued consideration with
the exception of the Planned Residential Development (PRD), which has
been replaced by the Open Space Preservation District Overlay. The
Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) remains valid but is generally
not relevant to the development/preservation climate of the Township.
Next Chapter - Community Profile
Previous Chapter - Introduction
|
