South Delco News

Rep. Craig Williams announced that Westtown Township has secured a $4 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to aid in acquiring Crebilly Farm. This funding is part of an effort to preserve open space within the community.

Williams emphasized the importance of preserving open spaces, stating, "Preservation of open space in our communities is one of my top priorities." He noted that residents had voted to purchase Crebilly Farm through local tax increases to prevent development on this historically significant property. "I promised Westtown residents I would pursue every possible offset to their local tax increases," he added. The DCNR grant, along with a previous $2 million grant, contributes $6 million towards the nearly $16 million needed for the acquisition.

The 206-acre Crebilly Farm will be transformed into a township park, linking local trail systems throughout Greater Philadelphia. It also forms part of the Brandywine Battlefield area, where other municipalities have collaborated with private organizations for preservation efforts.

Funded by federal dollars from the Land and Water Conservation Fund established by Congress in 1964, these grants aim to protect natural areas and cultural heritage sites.

Williams addressed concerns about overdevelopment in Chester and Delaware counties: “The unfortunate reality is that our portions of Chester and Delaware counties will always be under pressure to over-build.” He highlighted his approach learned during his Marine Corps career: “I learned early in my Marine Corps career to refuse binary thinking about solving problems.”

A retired United States Marine Corps Colonel and former federal prosecutor, Williams lives with his wife Jennifer and their four children in Garnet Valley School District.