OpenChapter Space 3 Over the last decade, Montgomery County’s open space efforts and land preservation strategies have focused on the creation of an open space system for future generations to enjoy. The county’s “open space system” approach uses different open space components as building blocks for a network of interrelated lands and trails. These components include protected natural areas, greenways, county parks and historic sites, trail corridors, preserved farmland, and cultural and historic landscapes. Scenic views and vistas are a common element of all of the open space components. This system of county open space is part of a network that includes existing and future regional open space initiatives, federal and state open space lands, and lands protected by local municipalities and private organi- zations. Montgomery County has already accumulated many of these building blocks, and a growing open space network has begun to take shape due to the combined efforts of the county, federal, state, and local governments, strong partnerships with conser- vation organizations, and many energetic and determined citizen advocates. The first part of this chapter describes the existing open space resources within Montgomery County and available through- out the immediate region. This open space includes permanently preserved land (publicly accessible parkland, natural areas, and greenways) and perma- nently preserved private open space. Trails, farm- land, and historic/cultural resources are covered in detail in subsequent chapters. Montgomery County has a growing open space network. The second part of this chapter describes the strategies, actions, and collaborations that form the plan for completing the open space system. These plan recommendations address the protection of natural areas, open space focus areas, expansion of existing county parks and historic sites, and the establishment of greenways. Existing Open Space Resources in Montgomery County Permanently preserved open space resources described in the following sections include federal, state, county, and municipal properties, as well as privately protected lands. A variety of lands that are temporarily preserved are also described. 57 Chapter Three Preserved Open Space Throughout the County As of 2003, acreage preserved for open space in Montgomery County totaled nearly 34,000 acres, or 11% percent of the total land in the county. These permanently protected lands are comprised primarily of publicly accessible park and historic sites, held under federal, state, county, and municipal ownership. Additional protected land, which may provide limited or no public access, includes preserved farmland, natural areas, properties under conservation ease- Approximately 34,000 acres of land are permanently preserved, ments, and some parcels protected under homeowners’ equalling 11% of the total land in the county. association, institutional, or private ownership. Public/private preservation partnerships are increasingly important to the establishment of a self- sustaining open space legacy for future generations. The permanently protected Stone Hill Preservation Area in Lower Frederick and Limerick Townships is a recent example of the effectiveness of cooperative preservation efforts. Beginning in 1997 with the bequest of a 70-acre natural area to Valley Forge Audubon Society, this preservation area has grown to more than 250 acres through the collaboration of the two townships, the county, three conservation organi- zations, and a variety of citizen advocates. In combi- nation with the adjoining State Game Lands, the protected land area of Stone Hill now totals more than 600 acres. Preserved open space in the county ranges in size from the 3,466-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park to borough pocket parks of less than an acre. Preserved greenways also contribute a surpris- ingly large amount of acreage to the open space system. These greenways are linear parks that by nature offer very broad public access and benefit. The Type of Open Space Acreage Wissahickon Green Ribbon, the Pennypack Wilder- ness Greenway, and the trail and greenway areas along Municipal Parks 11,031 County Parks 5,770 the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek provide State Parks 4,475 recreational opportunities while protecting more than Federal Parks 1,964 a thousand acres of streamside forest and sensitive Private Conservation Land 4,435 floodplain. Agricultural Easements 6,182 Figure 14 shows the location of permanently Total (As of 2003) 33,857 preserved open space in Montgomery County. 58 Open Space Figure 14 MONTGOMERY COUNTY PRESERVED OPEN SPACE 59 Chapter Three 60 Open Space Existing Publicly Accessible Open Space Sites Federal and State Ownership Valley Forge National Historical Park (total of 3,466 acres, with 1,964 situated in Montgomery County) is administered by the National Park Service (NPS) as one of more than 340 sites across the nation that protect the natural beauty and cultural heritage of America. Valley Forge Na- tional Historical Park is the site of the Continental Army’s 1777-78 winter encampment. The location was established as a state park in 1893 and then transferred to the federal government in 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration. In addition to historic buildings and interpretive exhibits, the park provides bicycle and walking paths, horse trails, and opportunities for fishing, boating, picnicking, and sightseeing. It has major significance to the county’s open space system for natural resource protection, passive recreation, and heritage tourism. The park is also a major feature of the Schuylkill Greenway and the junction of several regional trails. The proposed revolutionary war museum to be located within the park will dramatically increase the number of park users. The National Park Service constantly has to Valley Forge National Historical Park is a nationally- balance various urban recreation park users with significant open space site in Montgomery County. heritage preservation interests. Evansburg State Park (3,349 acres), along with the Fort Washington State Park, is adminis- tered by the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, which is responsible for the natural, scenic, and recreational areas that comprise the Commonwealth’s 116 parks. Evansburg State Park follows the Skippack Creek Valley, encompassing much of the headwaters areas in Towamencin and Lower Salford Townships, portions of Worcester and Skippack Townships, and a section of Lower Providence Township that extends almost to the Skippack’s confluence with the Perkiomen Creek. Thirty-seven historic structures, including resi- dences, farmsteads, a mill and bridge, and the National Register Evansburg Historic District, are contained within the park. Evansburg Park was originally conceived as a park that would surround a large lake to be built along the Skippack Creek. Evansburg State Park contains natural, scenic, historic, and recreational As a result of detailed environmental analyses, the areas. 61 Chapter Three development of the lake has been indefinitely postponed. The park’s predominantly wooded landscape provides recreational activities including fishing, hunting, nature study and environmental education, and trails for equestrians and hikers. The park also contains a public golf course, an American Youth Hostel, and a central playground area. The park contains significant scenic and natural resources and is also an important location for regional trail and greenway connections. Fort Washington State Park (484 acres) in Whitemarsh Township encompasses woodland and a stream valley, with scenic views across a historic landscape that includes Fort Hill and Militia Hill, a ridgeline occupied in 1777 by Washington’s troops on their way to Valley Forge. The park is formed by four separate use areas that are interconnected by undeveloped parcels of county parkland. The Wissahickon Creek flows through the park and is part of an almost completed “Green Ribbon” that links the Wissahickon’s headwaters, the Whitemarsh Valley, and the Valley Green area of Fairmount Park. The park is an important trailhead for the future regional multiuse Wissahickon Trail and currently is popular for hiking, dog walking, pic- nicking, and informal field games. A yearly hawk watch and bird count takes place from a platform overlooking the creek corridor. Graeme Park in Horsham Township (41.72 acres) is one of four state-owned historic sites that are maintained in Montgomery County by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The other three sites are described below. PHMC provides exhibits and tours of historic structures and landscapes throughout the state. Many of these sites also offer special workshops, seminars, and living-history programs, and in the case of the Montgomery County sites, invite visitors to attend musical performances and seasonal events. Each of these historic sites tells “an American story” that includes not only the buildings but also the surrounding landscape. Gardens, fields, and wood- lands extend the visitor’s scenic and educational experience. Built by Governor William Keith in 1721-22, Graeme Park is the only remaining colo- nial governor’s residence in the Commonwealth. The site, and the adjacent historic Penrose/ Strawbridge Property, protects a regionally historic 62 Open Space landscape for heritage tourism and natural resource preservation. The Highlands (43.3 acres), in Whitemarsh Township, is the 1801 country estate of Anthony Morris. The house is a Georgian