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Upper Merion Township is an important hub in the southeast Pennsylvania region. Like many communities where location, work and living conditions are desirable, development is strong and open space is threatened. The Township has been guided by two planning documents during the past decade that have helped planners and leaders in the community make wise decisions to expand and protect the open space system. These include the 1994 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and an Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan Addendum. This 2004 update will bring the former planning guides back into focus with renewed emphasis on open space opportunities and current trends of the Township. A copy of the Open Space Plan's 2004 Update, published October 4, 2005, is available for download in Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF format by clicking on the link below.
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You will need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader version 5 or above to read and print the document listed above. Adobe's Acrobat Reader is available to the public free of charge. Just click on the icon below and follow the step by step instructions to download and install the reader.
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In May 2006,
with a referendum issue on the ballot, Upper Merion's
electorate authorized the Board of Supervisors to borrow up to $5
million to acquire, protect and preserve open space, with 85% voter
approval.
- Acquire agricultural conservation easements. The Township could purchase agricultural conservation easements, or participate in State or County land preservation programs that acquire agricultural conservation easements, an agricultural conservation easement allows the landowner to retain his/her land and use it for farming and other agricultural purposes.
- Finance the acquisition of open space. The Township could purchase undeveloped land from landowners in the Township in order to protect sensitive natural areas such as woodlands, stream valleys or other unique natural resources or habitats.
- Finance the acquisition of recreation or historic land. The Township could purchase undeveloped land from landowners in the Township for the purpose of developing additional recreational facilities for residents or for historic preservation purposes.
- Acquire Property Development Rights. Under this option, a landowner would sell the development rights of a property to the Township. The landowner would retain the property, but the property could not be developed. More than a dozen residents and officers of homeowner and civic associations spoke in support of the referendum. Several residents asked about the property that would be purchased. They were told efforts would be made to spread the word regarding the referendum.
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A group of concerned citizens, calling themselves Greener Upper Merion, enthusiastically supported this referendum to raise funds to purchase open space. The leaders of the group include
David Broida, Greg Waks, Pam Rende, Eric Medrow, and the current chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Scott Sibley. The group is keenly aware of the amount of open space in the township, the value of open space, and the speedy action needed to move forward. Residents who are interested in helping to support this issue may contact the sponsors at the following e-mail address:
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