Concord Township approves meadowing reimbursement agreement at Bush Hill Farms; Beaver Valley pocket park construction set to start

Concord Township Council approved a reimbursement agreement on April 1 that lets a land trust bill the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) grant for meadowing and maintenance work at Bush Hill Farms.

Township Manager Amanda explained the change was requested after the land trust secured a DCNR grant that would reimburse the group for the work it already agreed to do. "We have about $9,000 that we'll wind up saving. So by re signing an agreement with them, they can now go back to the grantor and get reimbursed," Amanda said.

Council members moved and seconded the reimbursement agreement; the motion passed by voice vote (recorded as "Aye"). The agreement updates a previously signed contract so the land trust may seek reimbursement from DCNR rather than being paid directly by the township.

Parks and recreation staff reported several upcoming and ongoing programs tied to planned park work: John, speaking for parks and recreation, said beginner Zumba and watercolor classes at the senior center are sold out, registration is open for the township summer camp (two weeks in August), and a farmers market is planned to begin Sunday mornings on June 8. John also confirmed the Beaver Valley Pocket Park pre-construction meeting occurred and that construction should start by the end of April.

Why it matters: the reimbursement agreement conserves township funds while allowing the land trust to use outside grant funding for meadow maintenance. The Beaver Valley project — described as a small, natural toddler park on Beaver Valley Road behind the Arrive Apartments — will add local recreational space.

The council did not provide a construction start date beyond staff’s estimate that work on Beaver Valley Pocket Park will begin by the end of April.