Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
COMMUNITY UNITES FOR ITS BEST VISION
NEW GARDEN » Defined by a landscape of inescapable and indescribable beauty, a place home to the White Clay, robust industry, innovative enterprise and lush farmland, New Garden Township isworking to create a new community park at St. Anthony’s in theHills.
In one of the largest acquisitions ever, New Garden supervisors in December 2018 approved funding for the purchase of the St. Anthony’s in the Hills 137
acre property at a price of $ 1.5 million.
Township Manager Ramsey Reiner said 660 people responded to an opinion survey on the future of St. Anthony’s in the Hills.
Reiner said the survey results show that folks most supported adding for public use as an amphitheater, a pool or aminiature golf course.
“I’m curious to see what the general consensus was,” Reiner said. “Those were the big- ticket items.”
People also listed soccer fields as important additions for New Garden to consider.
During the months since the survey was open to the public, the Chester County Planning Commission encouraged folks to voice their opinions for the future of St. Anthony’s in theHills.
There is a miniature golf course, swimming pool, large amphitheater, many picnic pavilions and other amenities throughout the property in disrepair on site. The renovation will require significant investment to rehabilitate for public use, New Garden supervisors said in a public announcement encouraging people to take part inthe survey, which launched in
April and recently closed.
New Garden has hired a team of consultants to review the St. Anthony’s in the Hills landscape, provide recommendations regarding the feasibility of rehabilitation of key features and develop a master plan for the property as a public park.
Reiner said the master plan for the park likely will be done in 2021, however, she foresees the public gaining an opportunity to visit St. Anthony’s in the Hills for a special event by the summer.