East Pikeland Township is dedicated to the preservation of Open Space!
Open Space can refer to land in a variety of forms, including: undeveloped land that is protected or unprotected, private property, or public spaces.
There are many reasons to preserve Open Space:
- Prevent land from being developed
- Create public parkland
- Protect natural resources
- Preserve historic structures
- Maintain historic use (agriculture, meadow, etc.)
Open Space in all of its forms can provide economic, environmental, and health benefits to surrounding communities. In the past 15 years, East Pikeland Supervisors have made it a priority to preserve and protect Open Space in the Township. In fact, 23% of land in the Township is now permanently preserved, totaling 1,325.15 acres. The Township’s goal is to reach 25% preserved land by 2025.
The preservation of Open Space is also important to the residents of East Pikeland Township. In 2006 residents voted to approve an Open Space Referendum. The referendum created an Open Space Fund in order to support the protection and/or purchase of open space in the township. The fund is supported by a tax of .25% of the earned income tax. In addition, the referendum created the Open Space Committee, the volunteer board tasked with identifying and pursuing open space protection in the Township.
Since the referendum, approximately 313 acres have been preserved or purchased using the fund. The most recent open space acquisition was the 115-acre Hidden River Park and Preserve, that was a proposed 300+ mobile home development, which will now become a public park.
The Open Space Map shows properties that have been preserved either via private protection, township protection, or HOA protection.
East Pikeland Township Open Space Map
