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Township accepts Chester County grant program for nine acres of meadows at Chandler/Smmedley Preserve
Summary
The board authorized the township manager to sign an installation agreement with the Chester County Conservation District to install up to nine acres of meadow at Chandler/Smmedley Preserve: contractor-funded installation valued at about $65,000 with a required three-year in‑kind maintenance match (~$10,000) from township grounds staff.
Staff presented the Chester County Conservation District lawn-to-meadow program and confirmed New Garden Township was selected for up to nine acres of meadow (five acres in the initial award plus an optional additional four acres). The project’s installation value was estimated at roughly $65,000; the township’s only financial obligation is in‑kind labor for a three‑year maintenance match (estimated labor value of about $10,000), with ongoing minimal mowing and invasive control thereafter.
Parks staff explained the contract requires a three‑year maintenance commitment after installation; contractors will perform site prep and seeding in the fall and the township will perform periodic maintenance to manage invasives and mowing cycles. Staff noted the meadow work complements prior stormwater work at the preserve and could reduce long-term restoration costs versus reforestation in some areas.
The board authorized the township manager to execute the meadow installation agreement and directed staff to proceed to contractor procurement and fall seeding.
