2006 Open Space Plan Upper Moreland Township Montgomery County, Pennsylvania UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN

UPPER MORELAND OFFICIALS MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

TOWNSHIP BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Michael J. Crilly, President Richard D. Booth, Vice-President Stacey E. Efkowitz James G. Hotchkiss, Jr. James Martin James McKenna Lisa Romaniello

PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS William C. Seiberlich, Chairman Jonathan DeJonge, Vice President Theodore Abel Deirdre Barnes Jack Dunleavy, Jr. Greg Flynn Denis Hurley

TOWNSHIP MANAGER David A. Dodies

DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION Patrick T. Stasio

Cover photo: Masons Mill Park Pictometry aerial photograph from Spring 2005 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN Prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Commission Mar-06 2005 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN

UPPER MORELAND TOWNSHIP

OPEN SPACE PLAN

MARCH 2006

This report was partially funded by The Montgomery County Green Fields/Green Towns Program

Montgomery County Planning Commission

2005 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE 1 COMMUNITY CONTEXT 1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 2 REGIONAL SETTING 3 EXISTING LAND USE ANALYSIS 3 Residential 3 Commercial/Office 3 Industrial 3 Institutional 3 Parks/Recreation 3 Utilities 6 Conclusion 6 COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 6 Population 7 Population Projections 8 Household Types 8 Education 9 Age 9 Income 9 Special Needs Groups 9 Housing Types 11 Jobs Located in Municipality 11 Occupation 11 Employment Forecast 11 Major Employer in Municipality

CHAPTER 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES 15 THE 1996 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PLAN 17 AUDIT OF THE 1996 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PLAN 24 2005 OPEN SPACE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

iii 2005 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN

CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND 27 PERMANENTLY PROTECTED LAND 27 Municipal Open Space 28 TEMPORARILY PROTECTED LAND 28 Act 319 28 Act 515 31 Institutional CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES 33 GEOLOGY 34 TOPOGRAPHY 34 Steep Slopes 35 SOILS 36 Alluvial Soils 36 Hydric Soils 36 SURFACE WATERS AND HYDROLOGY 36 Watersheds and Drainage Areas 37 Hydrology 38 Wetlands 38 VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 38 Woodlands 39 SCENIC ROADS AND VISTAS 40 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 41 Historic & Cultural Resources CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES

44 STREAM CORRIDORS 46 UTILITY & ROAD CORRIDORS 47 OTHER LINKAGES 47 ACCESS & CONSERVATION EASEMENTS 48 CROSS COUNTY TRAIL 48 PENNYPACK TRAIL 49 POWERLINE TRAIL

CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF UNPROTECTED RESOURCES 50 COMPOSITE OF VULNERABLE RESOURCES 52 ANALYSIS 52 PRIORITIZATION OF AREAS FOR PRESERVATION 52 Natural Features, Scenic Views & Roadways 52 Private Recreation Facilities 53 Historic & Culturally Significant Properties 53 Institutional Properties CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS 54 POPULATION, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS 56 MUNICIPALITY’S FUTURE GROWTH AREAS CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS 61 THE SELECTION OF A STANDARD 61 PARK TYPES 63 EXISTING PARKS AND FACILITIES 76 OPEN SPACE NEEDS

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CHAPTER 9 EVALUATION OF COUNTY AND ABUTTING MUNICIPAL PLANS 78 COMPARISON TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAND USE PLAN AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 80 RELATION TO PLANS OF ABUTTING MUNICIPALITIES CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS: PROJECTS, PROGRAMS & POLICIES 85 LANDS AND RESOURCES TO BE PROTECTED 86 SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS 86 Natural Resource Protection Regulations 87 ZONING BASED ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 88 PARKLAND & OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION & PRESERVATION 88 ACQUISITION 88 High Priority 88 Medium Priority 88 Low Priority 88 Other objectives

CHAPTER 11 RECOMMENDATIONS: NON-ACQUISITION PROTECTION METHODS 91 UPDATE THE MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 91 UPDATE ZONING & SUBDIVISION/LAND DEVELOPMENT CODES 92 NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION ORDINANCES 92 Floodplain 93 Stream Corridors 93 Wetlands 93 Steep Slopes 94 Woodlands 94 OPEN SPACE FEE IN LIEU

CHAPTER 12 IMPLEMENTATION 95 BACKGROUND 102 TIME PHASING 102 Phase One (2006 through 2009) 103 Phase Two (2010 and beyond)

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LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE 2 Figure 1 Regional setting 4 Figure 2 Existing Land Use Map 5 Figure 3 Existing Land Use Comparison: 1995 and 2005 5 Figure 3a 2005 Existing Land Use Chart 7 Figure 4 Population Classification 7 Figure 5 Population Projection 8 Figure 6 Household Types 9 Figure 7 Education Level 10 Figure 8 Age Profile & Age/Sex Pyramid 10 Figure 9 Income Levels (1999$) 11 Figure 10 Special Needs Groups 12 Figure 11 Housing Types 12 Figure 12 Labor Force by Occupation 12 Figure 12a Labor Force by Occupation Chart 13 Figure 13 Employment Forecast 13 Figure 13a Employment Forecast Chart 13 Figure 14 Major Employers CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND 29 Figure 15 Existing Permanently Protected Lands 30 Figure 16 Existing Temporarily Protected Lands CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES 34 Figure 17 Geology 35 Figure 18 Steep Slopes 36 Figure 19 Soils 37 Figure 20 Township Watersheds 38 Figure 21 Wetlands 39 Figure 22 Woodlands

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40 Figure 23 Historic & Cultural Resources 42 Figure 24 Scenic Roads & Trails CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES 45 Figure 25 Township Linkages CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF UNPROTECTED RESOURCES 51 Figure 26 Composite Natural Features

CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS 55 Figure 27 Population Projection 55 Figure 27a Population Projection Chart 55 Figure 28 Employment Forecast 55 Figure 28a Employment Forecast Chart 56 Figure 29 Housing Types 58 Figure 30 Township Growth Areas CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS 62 Figure 31 Minimum Open Space Needs 64 Figure 32 Existing Public & Private Recreation Facilities 73 Figure 33 Park Locations & General Boundaries of the Neighborhood CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS: AQUISITION 84 Figure 34 Proposed Open Space Preservation Map by Priority 85 Figure 34a Proposed Open Space Preservation Priority Chart

viii UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN– INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION UPPER MORELAND’S 2006 OPEN SPACE PLAN

GREEN FIELDS/GREEN TOWNS PROGRAM In 2003, a referendum to fund open space and green infrastructure projects was passed in Montgomery County. Through this program, subsequently adopted by the County, the funding that the voters en- dorsed is being provided to municipalities, private non-profit conservation organizations and the county to preserve more open space and enhance the livability of existing communities throughout the County. The initial County Open Space program was created 1993. At that time, Upper Moreland drafted it’s 1996 Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan, which has served as a valuable guide to the Township’s open space activities for the past ten years.

Under the new program, Upper Moreland is eligible to receive a total of $ 1.6 million for open space planning and implementation between April 2004 and April 2008. This grant requires matching funds equal to twenty percent of project costs from the township. The County grants come with several conditions. The most important condition is that any land purchased with grant money must be permanently preserved as open space or for active recreation. Another condition is that Upper Moreland must complete and adopt an updated Open Space Plan. This plan must be approved by the County’s Open Space Board before grant money can be disbursed. A municipality may apply for emergency funding during the drafting of their updated plan. This was the case for Upper Moreland who had to act quickly in order to purchase two properties; Ramsey and Cardone Tracts (Figure 26) DEVELOPING AN OPEN as a community amenity, an extra, even a frill. Likewise, until recent years, most open space pres- SPACE PLAN ervation efforts were site-specific in their orientation: develop a park here, protect a natural area “In the past, many communities assumed that there. Today, however, a growing number of open space was land that had simply not been communities are recognizing not just that green developed yet, because no one had filed a subdivi- space is a basic community necessity, but that it sion plan for it. Communities that planned for open space primarily thought about preserving * McMahon, Edward T. Green Infrastructure. Planning land for parks. And these parks were often viewed Commissioners Journal. Number 37, Winter 2000, p.4.

ix UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN– INTRODUCTION should be planned and developed as an inte- THE OLD PLAN VS. THE grated system.*” This plan represents Upper More- land’s effort to create such a system. NEW PLAN

The Upper Moreland Open Space Committee was Upper Moreland’s previous open space was vital formed according to the requirements of the in guiding the Township’s open space develop- Green Fields/Green Towns Program. Members ment. That plan mainly emphasized land acquisi- represented the Upper Moreland Planning Com- tion, historic preservation, and existing park im- mission, The Upper Moreland Historic Preservation provements. As a result of the plan, several pro- Committee, the Park and Recreation Board, the jects were implemented, including the acquisition Board of Commissioners, and several neighbor- of the Hobensak Tract (31.29 acres) adjacent to hood representatives with interest in and knowl- Mason’s Mill Park, Raytharn Farm (60 acres) the edge of open space issues. Liaisons from the township assisted the Pennypack Ecological Resto- Township as well as the Montgomery County Plan- ration Trust with assistance from the county. As ning Commission also served on the committee. well as Woodlawn Park (10 acres) that the town- The Open Space Committee held public meetings ship purchased with assistance from the county. on a monthly basis to develop this plan. The above mentioned purchases were only a selection of the overall open space acquisition per- The 2006 Open Space Plan was reviewed and formed by the township under the 1993 Open approved by the County Open Space Board prior Space Green Fields/Green Towns program. A full to adoption by the Township. This assures that inventory of all of Upper Moreland’s acquisitions some of the plan’s recommendations are eligible and projects may be found starting on page 23 for funding through the Green Fields/Green within Chapter 2. Towns program (this does not, however, guarantee that any specific project will receive funding). In addition to acquisition and trail development, In addition to County Open Space grants, grants the new plan emphasizes township wide park from other agencies will be sought to implement improvements, comprehensive zoning and land many of the recommendations in this plan. Upon development ordinances amendments, trail and completion of this plan, Upper Moreland Town- pedestrian connection installations, natural feature ship will embark on implementing the recommen- protection, historic and cultural resource protec- dations listed in Chapter 10 by writing specific tion and gateway installation. project proposals and applying to various organizations and agencies for grants. RECOMMENDATIONS The Open Space Committee made every effort to The Open Space Committee has included numer- consider all aspects of open space planning rele- ous recommendations for open space projects, vant to the Township. However, in the event that programs and policies. Each recommendation is a project, program or policy was overlooked, the described in detail in Chapter 10. It is also listed plan may be amended by following the procedure along with its priority level, the party responsible outlined in section 302 (a) of the Pennsylvania for implementation, and potential funding sources Municipalities Planning Code. in the implementation matrix in Chapter 12.

PURPOSE OF THIS PLAN WORKING WITH OUR This plan was developed for two major purposes. First, as previously stated, it is a requirement that NEIGHBORS must be filled in order to be eligible to apply for Upper Moreland Township has been working funding through the Green Fields/Green Towns with its neighbors, including the Borough of Hat- program. It was also developed to serve as a boro, Abington Township, Upper Dublin Town- guide to the Township in acquiring new open ship, Horsham Township, and the Borough of space, forging connections through existing open Bryn Athyn, to develop this open space plan. It space via an enhanced trail network, and develop- will continue to work with them to implement the ing programs and policies to preserve and main- recommendations of this plan and to work on tain active and passive open space in the Township. planning efforts in the future.

x UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE

COMMUNITY CONTEXT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Upper Moreland’s history begins at the time of William Penn. Penn named the area after its first owner, Nicholas More. More, a physician in London and the President of the Free Society of Traders, eventually became the first chief justice of Pennsylvania. Shortly before his arrival in 1682, Dr. More purchased a 10,000 acre manor, a portion of which later became Upper Moreland Township.

When Montgomery County was created in 1784, the desired goal was to include all of Moreland in the new county. Inhabitants of the eastern end objected to inclusion in the new county, and the legislature tried to comply with their wishes. Philadelphia County retained about one-third, while Montgomery County obtained the remaining two-thirds. Each county called its share Moreland Township; so, two adjacent townships existed, each called Moreland, until 1854 when Philadelphia County was incorporated and made coterminous with the city of Philadelphia. The original Moreland Township was six miles long, bordering Bucks County, and three miles wide. This area was greatly reduced by the creation of the boroughs of Hatboro in 1871and Bryn Athyn in 1916.

Moreland Township was divided into Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland Townships on December 30, 1917. The dividing line, running northeast-southwest near the middle of the original township, wavers as it follows the path of the Reading Railroad Newtown Branch through Pennypack Valley.

On the north, the Township borders Bucks County’s Upper Southampton and Warminster Townships; to the east, it borders Lower Moreland Township and Bryn Athyn Borough; to the south it abuts Abington Township; to the southwest, it borders Upper Dublin Township; to the west, it borders Horsham Town- ship; and it abuts Hatboro on three sides in the northwest. Upper Moreland occupies 7.58 square miles of land in the eastern end of the county.

1 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1 Figure 1: Regional Location Map

REGIONAL SETTING This section describes the regional setting of the township relative to area development patterns and employment or activity centers, growth corridors, major transportation routes, major natural features, and major existing protected open space and parks.

Upper Moreland is in eastern Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, not far from the northeastern part of the City of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia City limit is less than three miles from the Township’s southern border. Numerous heavily used transportation routes, including PA Route 611, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and a SEPTA commuter rail line, all cross through the township. Figure 1, shows Upper Moreland’s location relative to major highways, municipal centers, and national, state, and county parks.

The township’s proximity to a major city and to transportation routes made it a convenient place for suburban development. Consequently, the township today has an urban and suburban quality, rather than a rural one. Although a few large and many small undeveloped parcels remain, nearly the entire area of the township is developed with some type of suburban use, ranging from luxurious single-family detached homes on large lots to dense residential areas, commercial districts, and industrial parks.

Upper Moreland is also a major employment center, located as it is along the Pennsylvania Turnpike and adjacent to the Willow Grove Mall. Located within the township are several shopping centers, stores, industrial parks, and offices

2 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

EXISTING LAND USE Upper Moreland School District 80.5 acres ANALYSIS Hatboro-Horsham School District 4.02 acres The Existing Land Use Analysis is the second part E. Montco Vocational Tech Authority 9.77 acres of the Community Profile Chapter for the Upper Moreland Open Space Preservation Plan. This Total 422.5 acres analysis focuses on the current land uses within the municipality, enabling a more in-depth focus PARKS/RECREATION of municipal land use patterns. In addition to the Upper Moreland Township owns a total of 488 Existing Land Use Map (shown in Figure 2), Fig- acres (8.4% percent of the township). Most of this ure 3 details the acreage of each category and land is used for parks and recreation, as explained the percent change from 1995 to 2005. These further in this chapter and in Chapter 3, Existing numbers are useful in understanding changes in Protected Land. land use patterns and help to identify potential open space and/or recreational needs. UTILITIES This category includes the utility properties listed below. A total of 209 acres is developed for utility RESIDENTIAL uses (3.6 percent of the township). This category includes all lots that have been de- DEVELOPED TRANSPORTATION veloped for only residential purposes, including LANDS those containing single-family detached, two- family (twins and duplexes), single-family attached Lands identified in this category are those of the (row houses and townhouses), and multifamily Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the South- dwelling types. Presently, a total of 2,546 acres eastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority. A are developed residentially (44.0% percent of the total of 73.14 acres is in this category (1.6 percent township). of the township). COMMERCIAL/OFFICE Turnpike Commission 69.70 acres

This category includes retail stores, restaurants, SEPTA 3.44 acres commercial business offices, and a variety of other relatively small, individual commercial uses, larger Total 73.14 acres individual commercial developments, and shop- DEVELOPABLE LANDS ping centers. This category also includes office “Total Undeveloped” land and privately owned developments in industrial parks and on individual land used for recreation are the two types of land lots outside of industrial parks. A total of 355 in the township that are potentially developable. acres is developed commercially, as well as for The “undeveloped” residential parcels in the town- offices (6.0% percent of the township). ship total 1,385 acres (24.0 percent of the town- INDUSTRIAL ship). However, most of these parcels are under This category includes industrial developments in 10,000 square feet, and they are scattered industrial parks and on individual lots outside of throughout the township. A number of private industrial parks. A total of 334 acres is developed recreation facilities in the township have lands for industry (6.0% percent of the township). which are potentially developable. The largest of these is the Huntington Valley Country Club, at INSTITUTIONAL 205.09 acres, followed by the Carson-Simpson This category includes schools, churches, ceme- Farm, which is 49.6 acres, Abington Memorial teries, nursing homes, retirement centers, fire- Hospital’s “June Fete Grounds”, approximately houses, hospitals, fraternal organizations, and the 41.5 acres, and the Willow Grove Day Camp, U.S. Post Office. A total of 422.5 acres is devel- which is 30.3 acres. Others include the Upper oped for institutional uses (6.0% percent of the Moreland Swim Club and Little League properties, township). Public school properties can be further but these total less than 20 acres. Total vacant identified as follows: residential and developable private recreation lands is approximately 360 acres, not including the country club.

3 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1 Figure 2: Existing Land Use Map

COUNTY LINE RD RD

P IO N JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

O L D

LAND MORE Y BYBERRY RD O AVE R K

R D HATBORO

S E P T A E PK T IA AN LV SY N 263 N PE rn he ut

BLAIR MILLRD o S 276 lk ¦¨§ fo or N

RD Willow Grove Day Camp NGDON HUNTI Abington Sewer Authority Mem. Hospital TERWOOD RD Natural 611 Lands Trust

Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Interchange High School Preserve

E A S D TERWOOD RD T R O L N L R I D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club

O L D

Y O R K

R DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD

Legend Multi Family Office Single Family Attached Industrial Twin/Duplex Institutional Mobile Home Park Utilities Single Family Detached Undeveloped Country Residence Public Open Space Mixed Use Private Open Space Retail Agriculture Water Montgomery01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet County

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC

4 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 3: Existing Land Use Comparison: 1995 and 2005 1995 2005 % Change Land Use Acres % Total Acres % Total 1995-2005 Residential 2,612 45 % 2,546 43.9 % -2.5 % Commercial/Office 582 10 % 355 6.1 % -39 % Industrial 347 5.9 % 334 5.7 % -4.0 %

Institutional 193 3.3 % 342 5.8 % 77.0 % Parks/Recreation/Open 153 2.6 % 488 8.4 % 219.0 % Space

Utilities 69 1.1 % 209 3.6 % 203.0 % Agriculture 0 0 % 0 0 % 0 % Water 20 0.3 % 20 0.3 % 0.0 % Total Developed 3,976 68.5 % 4,413 74 % 11.0 % Total Undeveloped 1,822 31.4 % 1,385 26 % -24 %

Total Acreage 5,798 100.0 % 5,798 100.0 % 0.0 %

Residential Figure 3a: 2005 Existing Land Use Chart Commercial/Office Industrial 14% Institutional 25% Parks/Recreation/Open Space Utilities Agriculture Water 4% Total Developed Total Undeveloped

3% 44% 5% 2%

0% 0%

Source: Montgomery County Planning Commission Land Use Maps *Discrepancies may be due to digitization of parcel information.

5 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

There are 14 vacant or underutilized non- Household Composition, Detailed Housing type; residential parcels in the township totaling ap- Average Household Size; Housing Tenure; Age of proximately 243 acres. Most of these parcels are Housing Stock, Age of Homeowners by Tenure, over 1.5 acres in size; these parcels mostly consist 1990 and 2000. Other characteristics include: of Turnpike Commission lands and other institu- Median Household Income for 1989 and 1999, tional uses. and Labor Force by Occupation in 1990 and 2000. Total vacant and underutilized lands, both residential and non-residential, is approximately In each table, Upper Moreland is compared with 424-acres, excluding the country club. the municipalities which physically surround it in Montgomery County. These municipalities are beneficial for comparison because they are similar CONCLUSION demographically to Upper Moreland. Upper Since the last Open Space plan update for the Moreland is also compared with Montgomery township was completed in 2000, land use has County as a whole. not changed much in Upper Moreland. The most significant changes have been the reduction of about 4% in land categorized as industrial, a 77% POPULATION increase in land classified as institutional, and a The rate of municipal population change (relative significant increase in land devoted to utilities (all population increase or decrease) is an important small categories to begin with). This is mainly due measure of the magnitude of population change to development or reclassification of such parcels. that has occurred over time. Figure 5 shows population trends in the Township. The amount of land devoted to parks and recreation has increased by approximately 219% due to During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Upper Moreland various acquisitions by the township. Township’s population was already stabilized and slowly starting to decline. During the next decade Upper Moreland lost approximately 320 resi- COMMUNITY dents, approximately 1.3% population loss. DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS Upper Moreland’s growth followed the pattern of municipalities with little readily developable land The Community Demographic Analysis consists of such as Abington, Hatboro, and Lower Moreland, information relating to Upper Moreland’s with its population decreasing by less than 2% population, housing, and economics. With few between 1990 and 2000. In contrast, municipali- exceptions, the source of the information is the ties such as Upper Dublin and Horsham with sig- decennial U.S. Census and other reports of the nificant tracts of developable land grew substan- Census Bureau. tially between 1970 and 1980, both growing Demographic characteristics provide insight when faster than Montgomery County as a whole. planning for open space preservation and Upper Moreland’s loss of population may be attrib- recreational development. They can assist in uted to its decreasing household size. While the determining not only how much land should be number of households in Upper Moreland in- preserved, but also where. Additionally, this creased approximately 7 percent between 1980 information can further assist a municipality in and 1990 the township still lost 561 residents determining what type of recreational facilities, if during that period, as well as an additional 320 any, should be placed in the preserved land. residents from 1990 to 2000. This is due to the This statistical information regarding population, township’s decreasing average household size, housing, and economic trends in Upper Moreland which dropped from 2.73 persons per household Township is useful for presenting an overview of a in 1980 to 2.49 persons in 1990, and 2.40 in wide range of existing conditions in the Town- 2000. Refer to Figure 6, for more information. ship. Among the information included are the following tables: 1990-2000 Population, Popula- tion projections, 2000-2025; Age Profile; and

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Montgomery County, the Philadelphia PMSA, and There are four factors which tend to influence the the USA all grew during the same time period future population of municipalities like Upper with the USA growing the fastest and the PMSA Moreland: average household size, density, hous- growing the slowest of the three. The slow ing type, and location. A municipality’s future growth of the PMSA relative to that of the nation population will grow if, given that nothing else could probably best be explained by the fact that changes, the average household size of the mu- new growth in the nation for the most part did nicipality increases; and it will decrease if it de- not take place in the Philadelphia PMSA or the creases. A municipality’s future population will region around it, but rather in other parts of the also increase if, given that nothing else changes, nation, such as the southern and western states. its population density increases. Its population will also increase if certain housing types are con- According to the U.S. Census, Upper Moreland’s structed, such as single-family dwellings, which population was 24,866 in 1970, 25,874 in 1980, usually house more persons per unit than other 25,313 in 1990, and 24,993 in 2000. types, such as apartments. And finally, its popula- POPULATION PROJECTIONS tion will tend to grow if its location is convenient to existing employment centers, and it has plenty Figure 5 shows the projected population for Up- of readily developable land available. per Moreland Township and the adjacent townships. These projections were developed by the Of these factors, only average household size will DVRPC in conjunction with the Montgomery significantly affect Upper Moreland’s future popu- County Planning Commission. lation. Because there is little readily developable land available in the township, the housing types Figure 4: Population Classification 1990 2000 % Change Population Type Number % Total Number % Total 1980-1990

Household Population 10,063 39.8% 10,120 40.5% 0.6%

Group Quarters Population 243 1.0% 655 2.6% 169.5%

Total Population 25,313 100% 24,993 100% -1.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing, 1980, 1990.

Figure 5: Population Projections 25,400 Year Population

1990 25,313 25,300

2000 24,993 25,200 2005* 25,200

2010* 25,190 25,100

2015* 25,170 25,000 2020* 25,130

2025* 25,110 24,900

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing 2000; DVRPC projections. 24,800 1990 2000 2005* 2010* 2015* 2020* 2025* * Projected population *DVRPC Forecasts

7 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

and densities which exist there now are not likely HOUSEHOLD TYPES to change much. Its location is also not likely to A household profile is defined by the Census affect the population for the same reason. Aver- Bureau as a person or persons occupying a single age household size, however, could still change. housing unit. A household can be broken down Because average household size has been con- into two categories. A family household is two or tinuously decreasing, and is expected to continue more related persons living in a single housing to do so, Upper Moreland’s population is likely to unit, and a non-family household is occupied by a decline slightly in the future. single person or a group of unrelated persons. Nationally, as well as locally, households are The rate of municipal population change (relative changing. There has been an overall increase in population decrease) is an important measure of non-family and single person households since the magnitude of population change that has the 1970’s. Fragmentation of the family unit occurred over time. Figure 5 shows population through divorce, death of a spouse, or children trends in the Township from 2005 to 2025. leaving home to form their own households has The 2005 population forecast calls for a slight contributed to an increase in the number of increase in population for Upper Moreland from households and a decrease in the size of 24,993 to 25,200, an increase of approximately households. The average household size is the 207 residents or 1 percent. The projection for number of persons in households divided by the 2020 predicts a 60-person decline in population number of occupied housing units. This too has from 2010. The population projection for 2025 seen a national decline as households continue shows a 117-person gain in population from the to diversify. This trend is represented below in year 2000. Figure 6; in 1990 the average number of people per household was 2.49, in 2005 that number Montgomery County and the Philadelphia region has declined slightly to 2.40. have a slower national growth rate averaging 12% over the next quarter of the century. In 2000, Upper Moreland only had 2.6% of its population in group quarters, which consist of During the next 30 years, the population of Upper institutional residences. Moreland s projected to continue declining, but at a relatively low rate. In fact, if projections hold true, the population would basically stabilize EDUCATION around 25,000 people. In general, projections are As represented in Figure 7, 43.2 % of Upper based on several factors, including past levels of Moreland’s population over the age of 25 had a development, recently proposed development, high school diploma or less while 27.3 % of proximity to employment centers, available land, and public facilities (particularly sewers).

Figure 6: Household Types 1990 2000 % Change Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 Married Couples w/ children 2,500 24.8% 2,309 22.8% -7.6% Married Couples w/out children 3,371 33.5% 3,100 30.6% -8.0% Single Parent 486 4.8% 555 5.5% 14.2% Other Family 604 6.0% 671 6.6% 11.1% 1 Person Non-Family Household 2,608 25.9% 2,909 28.7% 11.5% 2+ Person Non-Family Household 494 4.9% 576 5.7% 16.6% Total No. of Households 10,063 100.0% 10,120 100.0% 0.6% Average People per Household 2.49 2.40

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing, 1990, 2000.

8 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 7: Educational Level

1990 2000 % Change Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 Less than 9th Grade 666 3.8% 495 2.8% -25.7% 9th through 12th grade, no 1,892 10.8% 1,343 7.6% -29.0% diploma High School graduate 6,358 36.3% 5,835 32.8% -8.2% (includes equivalency) Some college, or Associates 4,263 24.3% 4,774 26.9% 12.0% Degree Bachelor’s degree 3,062 17.5% 3,581 20.2.% 16.9% Graduate or Professional de- 1,276 7.3% 1,740 9.8% 36.4% gree Total Pop. 25 years and 17,517 100.0% 17,768 100.0% 1.4% older Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population and Housing, 1990, 2000.

Montgomery County’s population had the equiva- specific design of the open space development. lent educational attainment. Figure 7, also indi- In particular, the very young, the very old, those cates that 56.9 % of the township’s population with incomes below the poverty level, and people had gone on to attend some college or obtain a with disabilities have special needs that will affect professional degree as compared to 22.5 % of the the need for and development of open space. County. Because definitions of persons with disabilities changed between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, a direct comparison for these groups could not be AGE made. However, in 2000 approximately 9.0 per- The age profile shown in Table 5 as well as Fig- cent of Upper Moreland’s population between the ure 8, reveals that in 2000 Upper Moreland was ages of 16 and 64 had some type of disability. comprised largely of 25 to 64 year olds. This Over the past decade, the number of people over trend has consistently been the biggest age group age 65 has increased by nearly 5 percent, while in the area since 1970. Based on the data in Ta- the number of people under age 18 has in- ble 5, 31.3% of the township population is be- creased only slightly. The number of people with tween the ages of 25 and 44, while 28.9% are incomes below poverty level has significantly de- under 25, and 26.8% of the residents are ages 65 creased (see Figure 10). or older. Past trends have indicated a steady rise in the over 60 population and a steady decline in the 18-24 age group. HOUSING TYPES Figure 11 shows a breakdown of the residential land use category by housing types. Although INCOME there is a predominance of single-family detached Upper Moreland’s median household income dwellings, a range of housing types is available (stated in 1999 dollars) grew 28.7 % between and the overall housing stock has become more 1989 and 1999, rising from $39,210 to $50,454. diversified in recent years with the addition of more attached units (townhouses) and apart- SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS ments, particularly those in larger multi-unit buildings. Certain groups within Upper Moreland Township have special needs that should be considered in determining how much open space is needed, the type of open space that is needed, and the

9 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 8: Age Profile

1990 2000 % Change

Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 0-4 1,749 6.9% 1,460 5.8% -16.5% 5-17 3,711 14.7% 4,060 16.2% 9.4% 19-24 2,281 9.0% 1,732 6.9% -24.1% 25-34 5,103 20.2% 3,689 14.8% -27.7% 35-44 3,542 14.0% 4,124 16.5% 16.4% 45-54 2,473 9.8% 3,222 12.9% 30.3% 55-64 2,570 10.2% 2,127 8.5% -17.2% 65-74 2,425 9.6% 2,049 8.2% -15.5% 75+ 1,121 4.4% 2,530 10.1% 125.7% Total 25,313 100.0% 24,993 100.0% -1.3% Median Age 34.6 38.8

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing, 1990, 2000

75+ 75+ 70-74 65-69 65-69 60-64 55-59 55-59 50-54 45-49 Male 45-49 Female 40-44 35-39 35-39 30-34 25-29 25-29 20-24 10-19 10-19 5-9 0-5 0-5 (3,000) (2,000) (1,000) - 1,000 2,000

Figure 9: Income Levels (1999 $) 1989 1999 % Change Per Capita 19,188 25,832 34.6% Median Household 39,210 50,454 28.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Census of Population & Housing, 1990, 2000

10 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 10: Special Needs Group 1990 2000 % Change Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 Persons 5-64 with Disabilities 2,339 9.0%

Persons 16-64 with Mobility 163 1.0% and Self Care Limitations Over 65 Years of Age 118 0.4% 1,423 6.0% 5.0%

Under 18 Years of Age 5,460 22% 5,520 22% 0% Income Below Poverty Level 735 2.9% 198 1.0% -2.0% Total Population 25,313 24,993

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing,1990, 2000.

JOBS LOCATED IN MUNICIPALITY MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN MUNICIPALITY According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Upper Moreland Township had 14,952 employees in According to the Willow Grove Chamber of Com- 2000. merce, Upper Moreland’s top ten employers include the industries of education, government, OCCUPATIONS research, retail, health care, and recreation (see The types of occupations held by residents in Figure 13). Combined, these employers provide 1990 and 2000 are shown in Figure 12. 3,660 jobs within the Township. The largest among these is the Abington Memorial Hospital. Historically, occupations were classified as being "white collar” (managerial), “blue collar” (operative), or “other” (farm workers). Al- EMPLOYMENT FORECAST though this had generally been a useful distinc- As used here, employment figures refer to the tion in terms of income, educational require- number of jobs in a given area, not workers, and ments, etc., the lines of distinction have become can serve a variety of purposes. As one aspect of less marked as the nation’s economy has moved the economy, they serve to inform the public of from being industrially based to information and current and anticipated future economic condi- service based. This change is evident nationally tions and may serve as decision-making input for with the proportion of the U.S. labor force in current and potential employers and investors in white collar jobs increasing from 37 percent in the region. Because an area's growth and 1950 to 60 percent in 2000. In Upper Moreland activity is related to its economy, employment data Township, nearly 80 percent of jobs were white can also be tied to land use and transportation collar positions in 2000. planning.

Due to this shift, the census has implemented a In recent years, Montgomery County has experi- new system for compiling labor force statistics, enced a significant change as it has gone from making it difficult to track changes between cate- being principally a bedroom suburb for Philadel- gories from 1990 and 2000. phia commuters to an area that is a major source of jobs. The county's central location in the region EMPLOYMENT FORECAST and its major road network that permits direct As with population, the DVRPC provides employ- access from surrounding counties are major rea- ment forecasts for the area. Employment is pro- sons for this transformation. jected to grow from approximately 14,952 jobs in 2000 to 16,342 jobs in 2025, representing an overall increase of approximately 1,390 jobs over the next 25 years (see Figure 13).

11 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 11: Housing Types

1990 2000 % Change

Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 Single-Family Detached 6,099 59.3% 6,096 58.6% 0.0% Single-Family Attached 707 6.9% 739 7.1% 4.5% Multi-Family (24 units) 795 7.7% 902 8.7% 13.5% Multi-Family (5 or more 2,675 26.0% 2,666 25.6% -0.3% units) Mobile Home/Trailer/Other 8 0.1% 0 0.0% -100.0% Total Housing Units 10,284 100% 10,403 100% 1.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau,. Census of Population & Housing, 1990, 2000.

Figure 12: Labor Force by Occupation

2000 Occupation Number % Total Management & Professional 4,982 33% Sales & Clerical/Office 4,214 28% Construction 1,043 7.0% Production/Transportation 1,433 10% Farming 24 0.16% Services 1,358 9.08% Total 14,952 100 %

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population & Housing, 2000.

Figure 12a: Labor Force by Occupation, 2000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

ce ng onal fi ion i f ct m u ar essi r F of Services Pr Const & & Clerical/O ent es Sal anagem Production/Transportation M

12 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Figure 13: Employment Forecast

16,500

16,000

15,500

15,000

14,500 Total Employment 14,000

13,500

13,000

12,500 1990 2000 2005* 2010* 2015* 2020* 2025*

Figure 13a: Employment Forecast Figure 14: 2005 Major Employers

Year Total Employment Employer Employees

1990 14,040 1 Abington Memorial 767 Hospital 2000 14,952 2 Upper Moreland School 718 District 2005* 15,084 3 Elmar Inc. 395 2010* 15,667 4 Home Depot 378 2015* 15,892 5 Best Buy 344 2020* 16,094 6 Sam’s Club 243 2025* 16,302 7 Garden Springs Rehab/ 235 Nursing Home Source: DVRPC Forecasts 8 Willow Ridge Rehab/ 213 Nursing Home 9 Upper Moreland 210 Township 10 Huntingdon Valley 157 Country Club

13 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 1

Fern Village Park 614 High Avenue

14 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES

In a comprehensive planning process, goals and objectives provide a framework for making decisions regarding recommendations and implementation of the plan. After several Open Space Committee meetings, the Township has identified seven primary goals regarding appropriate open space conservation and environmental resource protection for the community.

The goals are purposely broad and some will take years to be achieved, however, certain objectives are quite specific and will be implemented in the short term. The timing of implementation is discussed in Chapter 12 of this Plan.

Each goal is followed by a set of objectives that, when implemented, will help reach the specific goal.

THE 1996 OPEN SPACE ous goals and objectives from the 1996 Open AND ENVIRONMENTAL Space and Environmental Resource Plan with ac- RESOURCE PLAN companying explanation of their status. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT GOALS The Township of Upper Moreland completed an Open Space and Environmental Resource Plan in • Promote the conservation of soils, wetlands, watercourses, woodlands, and other valuable 1996. At that time a series of goals and objectives scenic and ecological features. was developed to address issues regarding the preservation of open space and the protection of • Determine methods and seek opportunities to environmental resources. As a part of the update protect and enhance the remaining natural process required by the Montgomery County resources in the township, including the qual- Open Space Program, Upper Moreland has evalu- ity of surface and subsurface water resources. ated its previous goals and objectives to address • Advocate for innovative programs that will whether the goals are still valid and to evaluate encourage land owners to preserve scenic why some of the 1996 plan's recommendations and natural resources. were not implemented. Below are listed the previ-

15 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

the following are directly related to natural features and open space planning or could PARKS, RECREATION, AND OPEN SPACE be useful in implementing the township’s GOALS goals and objectives. • Implement the concepts and recommenda- • Need for better landscaping standards to tions of the township’s 1990 update to its buffer between residential and non-residential “Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Compre- properties. hensive Plan”, which reviewed past park and recreation studies, examined the remaining • Upgrading of pedestrian access to parks and open space in the township, and was in- open spaces through signage, crosswalks, tended “to provide a current and realistic ten- and buffer areas between the sidewalks and year plan for action related to our Township’s traffic lanes. parks, recreation services, and open spaces.” Its “Recommendations for Action” listed the • Utilization of creeks and floodplain areas as following nine categories. natural amenities, and for pedestrian use. • New Township-owned Parklands • Coordination between lot owners, the Town- ship, and the Willow Grove Chamber of Com- • Capital Improvements to Existing Parks merce to achieve coordinated development goals. • Preserving Existing Semi-Public/Private Recrea- tion Lands • Prioritization of road improvements by the Township, and improved coordination be- • Preserving Underdeveloped Open Space tween the Township and PADOT in regard to Tracts scheduling and funding. • Encourage Rails-to-Trails Program, Newtown SEPTA Rail Line OBJECTIVES • School District and Township Cooperation The following objectives are intended to help the township achieve its Natural Environment, Parks, • Providing Safe Access to Our Parks Recreation, and Open Space goals: • Administrative Recommendations 1. Protect wetlands, floodplain, existing vege- • Determine the need for additional parklands tated riparian buffers, steep slopes, wood- based on the parameters of the Montgomery lands, and cultural resources from the ad- County Open Space Preservation Program, verse impacts of land use and development. with the intent to satisfy current needs and Also, create and protect vegetated riparian plan for open space needs to the year 2020. buffers where they do not exist.

LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2. Encourage creative and cooperative efforts to • Encourage maintenance and stability within find and implement measures to enhance the the township’s older neighborhoods and functioning of these resources to benefit newer residential areas to maintain opportuni- township residents. ties suitable for a variety of income levels. 3. Preserve and acquire space for trails to be • Encourage maintenance of a strong business interconnected as a system throughout the community, and encourage appropriate reuse township. Along stream corridors, these trails and rejuvenation of existing business properties in a manner consistent with environmen- should provide reasonable access to the tally sensitive, modern development princi- streams while not interfering with the func- ples. tions of the riparian buffers. Non-traditional open space corridors should be sought • Follow the guidance of the Upper Moreland where open space linkages would otherwise Township Corridor Studies of 1988 which were intended to provide the Township with be broken, and can include widened side- a broad overview of land use, zoning, and walks, designated pedestrian and bicycle transportation conditions. They were also routes, and access easements. intended to provide direction for future planning policy and to address the Township’s 4. Improve visual and physical access to War desire to: 1) direct the location of new devel- Memorial Park for “downtown” Willow Grove opment, 2) support the preservation of natu- to establish the park as a major element in ral features and Township character, and 3) the area and encourage the “downtown” ensure safe and efficient traffic movement population to use the park’s facilities. along each major corridor. The studies reached a number of conclusions, of which 5. Retain existing public and private active rec-

16 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

reational facilities for use by area residents to the greatest extent possible, and acquire and develop additional parks and recreational facilities where appropriate.

6. Use land acquisition, easements, educational programs, and/or regulatory measures, including incentives, performance standards, and flexible zoning regulations to achieve these purposes. AUDIT OF THE 1996 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PLAN The following properties have been protected as both passive and active open space since the completion of the 1996 Open Space Inventory.

Mill Creek Park

Open Space: 7.2 acres

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Mill Road & Bonnet Lane • Comments: 1. Properties were purchased with federal grants through a buyout program for flood-prone areas.

2. Houses were demolished in 2002/2003.

3. Master Plan was adopted in July 2005.

Brooks Street Neighborhood Park

Open Space: 0.4 acres containing playground and park benches

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Raab Street & Marion Road, between York & Easton Rds. • Comments: 1. Identified as highest priority acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. The parklet serves a small, densely developed neighborhood surrounded by residential development with roads and heavy traffic.

3. The neighborhood was identified as lacking a park in the 1996 Plan.

4. The property was purchased with a county grant through condemnation.

Hankin Tract Community Park

Open Space: 10.0 heavily wooded acres

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off of Mineral Avenue along the railroad tracks between Davisville & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Identified as low priority acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. Purchased with county assistance.

3. Incorporated into War Memorial Park.

4. A Master Plan was developed in 2002 and Phase One is currently under construction.

17 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

Lancaster & Warminster Road Open Space

Open Space: 1.4 acres of open space

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located at the intersection of Lancaster & Warminster Roads, between Byberry & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Properties were purchased with federal grants through a buyout program for flood-prone areas.

2. Houses were demolished in 2002/2003.

Nathaniel Boileau Park & the Boileau Homestead Community Park

Open Space: 11.0 acres with four historic structures, one soccer /lacrosse field.

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located at the intersection of Orangemans & Byberry Roads and surrounded by Meyer, Kentner, and Round Meadows Roads. • Comments: 1. Identified as a medium priority for acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. A park Master Plan was developed in 2003 and adopted in the winter of 2004.

3. The property was purchased outright by Upper Moreland Township.

4. Four historic structures are located on the site.

5. Access is limited off of Byberry Road.

Raytharn Farm Community Open Space

Open Space: 60.0 acres (in Upper Moreland)

• Ownership: Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust • Neighborhood Boundaries: Terwood Road, Paper Mill Road, Huntingdon Road • Comments: 1. Identified as highest priority for acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. Purchased with county assistance.

3. Remains open with native, warm-season grasses planted.

Surry Lane at Warminster Road Open Space

Open Space: 1.9 acres of open space

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located at the intersection of Warminster & Surrey Roads, between Byberry & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Properties were purchased with federal grants through a buyout program for flood-prone areas.

18 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

2. Houses were demolished in 2002/2003 OTHER SMALL OPEN SPACE PARCELS The township also purchased several small (less than 1/4 acre) of properties in various locations throughout the township as a result of periodic flooding.

The following improvements were made to the existing Upper Moreland park inventory as listed in the 1996 Plan.

Blair Mill Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 1.0 acre with new play equipment and wooded turf area. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township, located in Horsham Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Westmoreland Avenue & Blair Mill Road, County Line, & Old York Roads. • Comments: 1. New play equipment was installed in 1997.

2. Extensive tree work has been completed since 2000.

Broughton Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 0.5 acre with playground, small open turf. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Barrett Road between Easton & Moreland Roads. • Comments: 1. New play equipment was installed in 2003.

2. A tornado struck the park in 1999 damaging several trees; new trees were planted at that time.

Buehler Nature Park

• Community Park: 7.0 acre with a nature trail, benches, and home to the Parks Maintenance Division. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Fitzwatertown Road between Easton & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Added two bays in garage for Parks Maintenance Division.

Cherry Street Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 0.5 acres with new play equipment and wooded turf area. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located on Cherry Street between Moreland & York Roads. • Comments: 1. New play equipment installed in 2001.

2. New fence installed in 2002.

19 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

Dawson Manor Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 1.0 acre with playground and open area. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Lukens Road between Warminster & Byberry Roads. • Comments: 1. New play equipment installed in 2001.

2. New swings to be installed in 2005.

Fair Oaks Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 6.0 acres with play equipment, multipurpose field, courts, walking trail, and wooded area. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Skrobul Road near Horsham & Blair Mill Roads. • Comments: 1. New basketball and volleyball courts, and youth roller hockey rink installed in 1999.

2. New paved walking trail installed in 2002.

Fern Village Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 5.0 acres with basketball court, play equipment, two 60’ baseball fields, and open space. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off High Avenue between County Line Road & Byberry Road. • Comments: 1. New play equipment installed in 2001.

2. Basketball courts repaved in 2001.

3. Fencing on backstops replaced in 2001.

4. Infields on both baseball fields cut out in 2001.

Masons Mill Community Park

• Community Park: 46.0 acres with one lighted volleyball court, one grass volleyball court, one lighted basketball court, several tennis courts (five lighted), two softball fields (one lighted), one lighted hardball 90 foot baseball field, one lighted football field (duel use on baseball outfield), catch and release fishing pond with aerator, three picnic pavilions, one concert gazebo, walking trail with fitness equipment, miniature kids big-wheel driving town, three playground areas, horseshoe pits, archery range, restrooms and office building. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Masons Mill Road just south of Byberry Road. • Comments: 1. Rebuilt Safety Town as a miniature replica of Upper Moreland Township .

2. Lighted the baseball/football field.

3. Added a new snack stand/storage building for the youth football program.

4. Added new maintenance barn.

20 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

5. Installed concrete under each picnic pavilion.

6. Added an aerator to the fishing pond.

7. Repaved tennis/basketball/volleyball courts in 1996.

8. Repaved office plaza area in 2003.

9. Completed a landscaping revitalization project in 1998.

10. Park augmented through purchase of an additional 31.29 acres, known then as the Hobensak Tract, purchased with county funding.

North Willow Grove Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 3.0 acres with play equipment and a multipurpose ball field. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Carroll Road near Blair Mill Road. • Comments: 1. Abington Hospital which owned and leased to the township three acres adjacent to the three acres owned by the township did not renew the lease; thus the park is now three total acres.

2. New play equipment installed in 1998.

3. Softball infield skinned in 1999.

4. Outfield fence (left and center field) Installed in 2003.

5. Serves as home field for Upper Moreland Boy’s Lacrosse Club.

6. Limited parking access off Carroll Lane.

Frank J. Pileggi Community Park

• Community Park: 53.0 acres with two soccer fields (one lighted), two sets of play equipment, snack/ office/restroom building, one and half basketball courts with volleyball sleeve inserts, walking trail, and two parking areas. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Shoemaker Road between Pioneer and County Line Roads. • Comments: 1. Irrigation system Installed on field #2 in 2002.

2. Currently constructing a new building that will house soccer club meeting and registra- tion and which will also be used by the township’s Department of Parks and Recreation for classroom instruction. The building will also have a small office and restroom.

Terwood Community Park

• Community Park: 5.5 acres with a parking lot and multipurpose field. • Ownership: Leased from Upper Moreland-Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Davisville Road near the intersection of Terwood Road. • Comments: 1. Used as a softball field in the spring and summer and a football field in the fall.

21 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

2. New backstop installed in 1997.

3. Parking lot repaved in 2000.

4. Full dirt infield cut out in 1998.

Valley Green Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 0.5 acres with play equipment. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Moreland Road near the intersection of Fitzwatertown Road. • Comments: 1. New play equipment installed in 1996.

War Memorial Community Park

• Community Park: 20.0 acres—a Master Park Improvement Plan was adopted by the Township in 2002. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Mineral Avenue along the railroad tracks between Davisville & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Park augmented through purchase of an additional 10 acres, know then as the Hankin Tract, with county funding.

2. The addition was identified in the 1996 plan as desirable open space preservation.

3. A Master Plan was adopted in 2002.

4. Difficult to find and enter. The Willow Grove downtown redevelopment may change the entrance into the park via a new driveway from York Road.

• Current Revitalization of War Memorial Community Park:: Currently the township is in the process of demolishing two buildings that have blocked the park from proper pedestrian and vehicular access to and from the core of downtown Willow Grove. The township is currently designing a new entrance to the park that will include major intersection improvements to Old York and Easton Roads, as well as a new “gateway” for War Memorial Community Park. This project will be a key feature in the overall redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Willow Grove.

Whitehall Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 2.0 acres with play equipment, small basketball court, open space turf field. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Hide-a-way Drive at the intersection of Whitehall Road between Easton & Moreland Roads.

• Comments: N/A Woodlawn Community Park

• Community Park: 6.0 acres including two sets of play equipment, a baseball field with soccer field overlay, two tennis courts, walking trail, two four square courts, three basketball courts and a volleyball court..

22 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located on Division Avenue. • Comments: 1. The township purchased the property in 1996 with a county grant.

2. This was a target of the 1996 plan.

3. Two sets of new play equipment installed in 2002 (one for ages 5-12 and one for ages 2- 12).

4. Tennis courts repaved in 2002.

The following items were lost since the 1996 Open Space Plan.

Summit Avenue Park

• Parklet: 0.5 acre with two shuffleboard courts, play structures, and benches. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located between Park & Center Avenues. • Comments: 1. The park was removed to make way for the new Township Library.

North Willow Grove Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 3.0 acres with play equipment and a multipurpose ballfield. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Carroll Road near Blair Mill Road. • Comments: 1. Abington Hospital did not renew a lease with the township on 3 acres adjacent to the 3- acre portion of the park owned by the township. The hospital has constructed a road through its 3-acre parcel.

2. The township still maintains a 3-acre park at this location.

THE 1996 PLAN IDENTIFIED THREE DEGREES OF PRIORITY FOR PRESERVING OPEN SPACE THROUGHOUT UPPER MORELAND AS OUTLINED BELOW: Highest Priority for Acquisition:

• Goodman Priorities Parcel (1.7 acres on former Fiesta Motor Lodge Site) Status: The property has been sold and now contain commercial buildings.

• Hobensak Tract (31.29 acres) Status: The township purchased this property with county assistance and incorporated it into Mason’s Mill Community Park.

• Piracci Parcel (0.4 acres) Status: The township purchased this property with county assistance; it is now the Brooks Street Neighborhood Park.

• Raytharn Farm (60 acres) Status: The township assisted the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust to purchase 60 acres with county assistance.

23 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

• Woodlawn Park (10 acres) Status: The township purchased 10 acres with county assistance.

Medium Priority for Acquisition:

• Molloy Tract (11 acres) Status: The township purchased this parcel outright without outside assistance. It is now the Nathaniel Boileau Park and the Boileau Homestead Community Park.

• Pioneer Woods Park ( 8.37 acres) Status: The township applied for, and received, emergency funding under the 2003 Open Space Referendum in order to purchase this parcel with county assistance.

Low Priority for Acquisition:

• Brittany Circle Parcel (2 acres) Status: Privately owned and under construction.

• Carson-Simpson Farm (74 acres) Status: Privately owned summer camp.

• Hankin Parcel (10 acres) Status: Township purchased with county assistance; incorporated into War Memorial Park.

• June Fete Grounds: Status: Remains as open space, owned by Abington Memorial Hospital.

The Open Space Committee evaluated the goals and objectives of the previous plan and revised them to reflect what was learned during the audit process. This chapter will serve as the framework for the community's plan for open space preservation and protection of natural resources. Short and long term goals are provided regarding development, retention of open space, and protection of environmental features followed by a series of objectives and action steps.

2005 GOALS & OBJECTIVES GOAL #1 RESTORE DEVELOPED FLOODPLAINS TO THEIR NATURAL STATE. OBJECTIVES:

• Consider restoring the floodplain in areas with frequent property damage.

Action Steps: Conduct a study in order to evaluate which properties are the most vulnerable to flooding damage. Convert targeted flood prone areas into passive, naturalized open space. Adopt no mow zones along streets and riparian corridors. Implement the recommendations listed within the flood buyout studies. Work with Montgomery County on acquiring, through fee simple or conservation easement, lands within the floodplain of the Pennypack Creek in order to add to help mitigate the effects of frequent flooding.

24 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

GOAL #2 PROTECT THE NATURAL FEATURES OF UPPER MORELAND. OBJECTIVES:

• Amend the Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances to strengthen the existing natural feature protection measures. • Revise the landscaping ordinance to address native and invasive species. • Encourage creative site design that limits disturbance to natural features. • Encourage private landscaping and beautification efforts.

Action Steps: Adopt a riparian corridor ordinance and revised landscaping ordinance with tree preservation and tree replacement standards.

GOAL #3 ENHANCE THE TOWNSHIP’S EXISTING OPEN SPACE BY DEVELOPING MASTER PLANS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS. OBJECTIVES:

• Revise the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances to address natural feature protection. • Continue to implement the Pennypack Greenway. • Create gateways to enhance the entrances to the township.

Action Steps: Work with Montgomery County on acquiring through fee simple or conservation easement lands along the Pennypack Creek in order to add to the Pennypack Greenway.

GOAL #4 PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE TOWNSHIP’S HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND SITES. OBJECTIVES: • Implement Master Plan studies on Township owned historic properties. • Consider purchasing vulnerable heritage resources.

Action Steps: Seek grants and possible corporate sponsorship to assist in funding renovations and improvements to Township owned historic properties.

GOAL #5

CONTINUE SOLICITING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FOR PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING. OBJECTIVES: • Coordinate with neighboring municipalities, area park commissions, and “Friends” groups, specifically the Township Historical Commission.

• Explore possible locations, funding sources and desired amenities for a community center for the township residents.

25 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 2

GOAL #6 CREATE A COORDINATED OPEN SPACE NETWORK. OBJECTIVES: • Connect Township open space wherever practical. • Establish open space linkages with neighboring communities and the county. • Coordinate groups involved in Open Space planning and implementation. • Develop Township Trail spurs off of the county-proposed Cross County Trail System, as well as the Power line Trail System.

GOAL #7 WORK WITH OWNERS OF LARGE PROPERTIES TO GIVE UPPER MORELAND THE FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL ON THE PURCHASE OF THEIR PROPERTY. OBJECTIVES: • Identify all privately owned lands over three acres within Upper Moreland Township. • Establish communications with the owners of the remaining large institutional and privately owned lands. • Work with the property owners in order to gain first right of refusal on the option to purchase the property at the time of sale.

Valley Green Park 3403 Moreland Road, Willow Grove

26 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND

A key component of the open space plan is a review of existing protected land. An inventory of existing conditions, along with an assessment of future needs, is necessary for formulating many of the plan's goals and objectives. Existing protected land refers to land preserved for active or passive recreation use and/or for environmental conservation purposes. In addition to municipally-owned areas, it can include land preserved by private conservation groups, farmland, school sites, and private open space preserved as part of residential or non-residential development.

This chapter identifies existing open and recreational land in Upper Moreland and separates it into two categories of protection - permanently and temporarily protected land. The latter category makes an important contribution to the overall recreation base of a community by preserving open space, conserving significant natural features, and/or providing recreation facilities that do not require municipal involvement in maintenance. However, temporarily protected land can easily be lost. In evaluating open space needs, this distinction is important, as is the goal of increasing the amount of permanently protected land so that future generations can also benefit from open space.

PERMANENTLY 1. The township owns 227.5 acres of parklands PROTECTED LAND in Upper Moreland Township and one acre of parkland in Horsham Township. In addi- MUNICIPAL OPEN SPACE tion, it leases 15.3 acres for recreation from This section identifies land which is permanently other owners. Only the township-owned protected from development, as shown in land is considered permanently preserved. Figure 15.

27 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

2. The Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust breach occurs, the landowner must pay roll-back (PERT) owns 105.39 acres of land and the taxes for the previous seven years plus interest. Natural Lands With the high demand for land, this penalty is not Trust, Inc. owns a significant deterrence, and therefore Act 319 25.6 acres of provides minimal land protection. land, which are leased to PERT. ACT 515 The Pennpack Trust perma- The Pennsylvania Open Space Covenant Act was nently protects created to stabilize open areas through the use of 12.86 acres with real estate tax assessment techniques. It allows conservation certain counties to covenant with landowners for easements in the preservation of land in farm, forest, water supply Township. or open space uses. Some eligible lands can be as small as ten acres and must be consistent with the county or municipal open space plan. Unless properly terminated, covenants require the

landowner to pay roll-back taxes for the previous 3. There are no county, state, or national park- five years plus interest should the homeowner lands in Upper Moreland Township. break the contract. Act 515 provides little to no long-term land protection. 4. There are lands in the township permanently protected under the control of homeowners associations or condominium associations. Figure 16 shows the following: However, Board of Assessments data does 1. Currently there is no privately-owned land not specify how much land is open space and protected under Act 319, the Pennsylvania how much is other commonly owned land, Farmland and Forestland Assessment Act, such as parking areas. within Upper Moreland Township.

TEMPORARILY 2. The privately owned golf course of the Hun- PROTECTED tingdon Valley County Club currently occu- This section identifies land which can be consid- pies 208 acres ered to be only temporarily protected from devel- within Upper opment because there are no binding legal ar- Moreland rangements that prevent these lands from being Township. This used for development by the current or future parcel is en- owners. In some cases, the current owner’s intent rolled in the Act may be to exclude development, but in other 515 program. cases there may simply be a financial benefit, such 3. The largest institutional open space lands in as tax relief, and the owner could easily succumb the area are owned by the Upper Moreland to a developer’s offer. Still other owners may fall School District, with 93.09 acres. Other pub- victim to economic hardship although they have lic school lands include 4.02 acres of the Hat- every intention of permanently excluding develop- boro-Horsham ment. School District, and 9.77 acres owned ACT 319 by the Vocational The Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Technology School Assessment Act was created to preserve land Authority. devoted to agricultural use, agricultural reserve, or forest reserve. This preferential tax assessment gives landowners a small incentive to keep their parcel intact (minimum 10-acre parcel size). If a

28 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

Figure 15: Existing Permanently Protected Lands

COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD WARMINSTER Elementary & Middle School

O L D AND MOREL YO BYBERRY RD

AVE R K

R D HATBORO

S E P T A E PK T IA AN LV SY N 263 N PE rn he ut

BLAIR MILL RD o S 276 lk Carson ¨¦§ fo or Simpson Farm N

RD Willow Grove Day Camp GDON HUNTIN

Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD 611

Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Preserve Interchange High School

E A S D TERWOOD RD T R O L N L R I D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club

O L D

Y O R K R DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD

Legend

Creeks Railroad Roads Township Owned Lands Natural Trust Lands

Montgomery Government & Institional Lands County 02,4004,8001,200 Feet Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission Pennypack Ecological District PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. Ramsey Tract MCPC

29 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

Figure 16: Existing Temporarily Protected Lands

COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD Elementary & Middle School

O L D AND MOREL Y BYBERRY RD O AVE R K R D HATBORO

S E P T A KE TP A NI VA YL NS 263 N PE rn he ut

BLAIR MILLRD o S 276 lk Carson ¨¦§ fo or Simpson Farm N

N RD Willow Grove Day Camp NGDO HUNTI

Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD 611

Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Interchange High School Preserve

E A S D TERWOOD RD T R O L N L R I D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club

O L D Y O R K

R DAVISVILLE RD D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD

Legend

Creeks Railroad Roads Abington Memorial Hospital Lands Carson-Simpson Farm Hatboro-Horsham School District Act 515 Property Montgomery County 02,4004,8001,200 Fee t

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Willow Grove Summer Day Camp Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom Little League Fields This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. Upper Moreland School District Lands MCPC

30 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

Other spacious institutional or recreational lands include the remaining 58.8 acres of the Carson-Simpson Farm (shown below), 35.5 acres of the Willow Grove Day Camp, 18.5 acres of the Philadelphia Junior Acad- emy, 8.75 acres of the Willow Crest Manor , and the 1.9 acres of the Upper Moreland Little League.

Carson-Simpson Farm-Terwood Road. INSTITUTIONAL Upper Moreland also has a substantial amount of recreational open space offered by several institutions and industries. Public schools provide much open space in the form of playing fields, basketball courts, and open fields. In addition, industry has several ball fields to which residents have access.

These open spaces differ from the municipally owned spaces because they may not remain open forever. First, land use decisions for public schools are not made by the municipality. Therefore, as enrollment patterns in the region as a whole change, the local schools could be closed. When this happens, often schools are closed and used for other purposes including offices or apartments and the recreational and open space is lost. Second, if the industrial space changes hands, there is no guarantee that the new owners will want or be able to offer the same open space for public use.

Despite their temporary nature, these sources of open space are still important to a municipality as they offer residents a greater range of choices to meet their recreational needs. They also add an aesthetic quality by opening up views and providing some relief to the largely developed landscape.

In total, Upper Moreland has a significant amount of protected land, with more than 825 acres being either permanently or temporarily protected. This land provides residents with many opportunities to enjoy all that open space can offer -- recreation, tranquility, beauty, and a sense of community. However, close to half of this open space could be lost to development in time if the land owners or land use changes. If the Township acquires open and recreational land, residents can be assured that Upper Moreland will be able to offer them the same or greater level of active and passive open space as they enjoy today.

31 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 3

Willow Crest Manor Willow Grove, Upper Moreland

Willow Grove Day Camp, Davisville Road

32 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES

This chapter provides an inventory of the township’s natural and man-made resources which are desirable amenities to preserve, or which serve important environmental functions. The locations and geographic extents of these resources are mapped and briefly described, and their significance is explained in this chapter. Some of these resources are important individually, while others are important as part of a group. Together they contribute significantly to the natural and man-made characters of the township. However, the natural character is dominated by the township’s man-made, almost completely developed character. Chapter Six of this plan provides an analysis of these resources intended to help the township determine its priorities and recommendations regarding these resources. GEOLOGY stone and boulder content. Groundwater yield differs from one bedrock formation to the next. Except for surface outcrops, bedrock geology is In Montgomery County, the difference ranges unseen, and as a result its influence on natural from under 1 gallon per minute (gpm) to over 30 features is not always acknowledged. However, gpm. the influence is both strong and pervasive, for bedrock geology is the foundation of an area. Montgomery County is located in the Triassic Bedrock, along with the hydrologic cycle, is Lowland and Piedmont Upland section of the responsible for the changes in elevation, steep Piedmont Physiographic Province. The Triassic slopes, location of watercourses, and orientation Lowlands are primarily red shales and sandstones, (orientation, in turn, will influence vegetative with intrusions of diabase. Four formations - communities, soils, and availability of sunlight). Stockton Sandstone/Conglomerate /Shale, The bedrock or parent material has a great Lockatong Argillite/Shale, Brunswick Shale/ influence on the type of soil formed. For example, Sandstone, and diabase - comprise the Triassic hard, igneous bedrock results in soils with a high Lowlands. The Piedmont Upland section is com-

33 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4 Figure 17: Geologic Formations Groundwater yield differs from one bedrock formation to the next and the bedrock in Upper Moreland varies in water supply from very small to COUNTY LINE RD very large amounts. However, the fact that most

RD of the township is served by public water supply P IO NE ER R allows the various yields to be averaged out, with JACKSONVILLE D

Elementary WARMINSTER RD an adequate supply for all residents. The only & Middle School area not served by public water consists of large O LD AND BYBERRY RD MOREL Y O AVE R residential lots located along Terwood Road in the K

R D HATBORO southeast corner of the township. S E P T A E PK T IA AN Since most of the township is already developed, LV NSY 263 PEN rn he

BLAIR MILL RD t the chances of significantly increasing the ground- ou S 276 lk ¨¦§ fo or N water recharge potential appear limited. In fact,

RD development of the remaining vacant lands and NGDON HUNTI redevelopment of developed lands could reduce

TERWOOD RD

611 groundwater recharge. Fortunately, the amount

Willow Grove Interchange Upper Moreland High School of potential reduction of recharge can be mini- mized if ordinances are implemented that pre- E A S TERWOOD RD T D O R N L R IL D H serve or enhance recharge. E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club O L D Y O R K

R D DAVISVILLE RD OLD TOPOGRAPHY YORK RD 611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD FITZWATERTOWN STEEP SLOPES MORELAND RD Slope is an important environmental condition. Geologic Formations When expressed as a percentage, slope is defined Chickies as the amount of change in vertical elevation over Conestoga a specified horizontal distance. For example, a Felsic Gneiss three foot rise in elevation over a one hundred Mafic Gneiss Montgomery County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Stockton Commission foot horizontal distance is expressed as a three Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ Source: Atlas of Preliminary Geologic Quadrangle Maps (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 of Pennsylvania, 1981. www.montcopa.org/plancom percent slope. These changes in elevation This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC throughout a community contribute a great deal to its appearance and natural diversity. prised of metamorphic and igneous rock (granite and schist), although there is a band of carbonate This is especially true of the steeply sloped areas of rock which stretches east from Chester County to a community, which also cause limitations to Bucks County. Wissahickon schist/Granite gneiss/ development. The slope and soils present on Hornblende gneiss, Chickies Quartzite, and Leger/ steep slopes are in balance with vegetation, Dolomite/ Elbrook/Conestoga Limestone, are the underlying geology and precipitation levels. formation found in the Piedmont Upland. Maintaining this equilibrium reduces the danger to public health and safety posed by unstable Internal geologic forces determined the basic con- hillsides. Steep slopes often have a combination figurations of the earth’s surface and bedrock for- of vegetation, climate, soil and underlying mations in Upper Moreland. Upper Moreland’s geology that differs from the surrounding area. bedrock types are shown in Figure 17. External Frequently this means that the environmental forces have constantly acted to reshape the earth’s sensitivity of the steep slope is different as well. surface through the erosional and depositional Susceptibility to erosion and mass movement may effects of wind, water, gravity and chemical activ- be greater on slopes than on the surrounding ity. Additional reshaping of the earth’s surface and area, especially if vegetation is removed. character has occurred dramatically during the Increased runoff and sedimentation from development of the township from its early rural disturbed slopes require increased public stages to its current suburban character. expenditure for flood control and stormwater management. Also, different species of plants and

34 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

the associated wildlife that depends on these Often, bands of steeply sloped land are found plants may be present only on the slopes, creating along watercourses, but these bands are generally unique recreation opportunities. too narrow to map at the scale used in this plan. Dense vegetation often found on steeply sloped USGS Topographic Quadrangles were used to areas along stream valleys is a benefit to air and determine the areas of the township with slopes water quality, and provides habitats for wildlife. greater than 15%, as shown on the map in Therefore, it is important to consider not only Figure 18. Most of the township has gentle floodplain lands as environmentally sensitive, but slopes of up to eight percent. The second most also these steep, densely vegetated embankments extensive category is found in large pockets of along stream corridors. moderate slopes from 8 to 12 percent, found between the Abington Township line and the Penny- Active use and development of remaining steeply pack Creek. Most of these moderately sloped sloped areas should be avoided so that adverse lands are already developed. In this same area impacts, including erosion, will be prevented. The there are smaller pockets of developed moderate township will regulate development on the re- to steep slopes, ranging from 12 to 20 percent. maining steeply sloped lands to minimize negative Land with a steep slope of 15 percent or more is impacts these slopes and on land adjacent to shown in only four relatively small areas that have, them, especially near watercourses. for the most part, already been lotted and developed for single-family detached housing. SOILS Soils are a natural assortment of organic materials and mineral fragments that cover the earth and Figure 18: Steep Slopes support plant life. The composition of soils changes slowly over time due to weathering of rock and activity of soil organisms. As a

COUNTY LINE RD consequence, soils vary with respect to depth to bedrock, depth to groundwater, color, mineral RD

PI ON characteristics, fertility, texture, and erodibility. EE JACKSONVILLE R RD

WARMINSTER RD One of the most influential natural features, soils Elementary & Middle School are a result of the hydrology and the weathering

O L D BYBERRY RD ELAND MOR Y O capacity of the underlying geology in a given AVE R K

R HATBORO D area. They are also influenced by the orientation S E P T A

PKE of the land and the types of vegetation that grow T IA AN LV SY N in them. Conversely, the type of soil influences 263 EN P n er th ou BLAIR MILL RD S 276 lk the vegetative cover of the land, which effects the ¦¨§ fo or N quality and quantity of surface and groundwater, N RD NGDO HUNTI wildlife diversity, rates of erosion, and the

TERWOOD RD aesthetic quality of the landscape. 611

Willow Grove Interchange Upper Moreland High School Though soils are diverse, soil scientists have

E A TERWOOD RD S D T R classified the soils found in Montgomery County O N L R IL D H E G D E into several groups called soil series. Soils listed Huntingdon Valley Country Club O L D within the same series will display similar

Y O R K

R D DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE subsurface characteristics. The surface OLD YORK RD characteristics of soils within a particular series can 611 263 FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD vary in slope, degree of erosion, size of stones, and other easily recognizable features. Slopes 15% or Greater

Source: U.S. Geological Survey 7 1/2 minute quadrangles, 1983 In addition to the soil mapping units, soils can also be divided into prime and important agricultural

Montgomery soils, hydric components, and alluvial soils. The County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission groups of soil pertinent to the Township are PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes.

MCPC described below.

35 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

In a suburbanized community such as Upper soils. Also, alluvial soils do not indicate the Moreland, suitability for productive agriculture and probability of recurrence of a flood (for example, for on-lot sewage disposal are not major consid- a 100 year flood). An important aspect of alluvial erations. Therefore, these characteristics are not soils is that they often form aquifer recharge areas. covered here. However, limitations to develop- HYDRIC SOILS ment caused by alluvial, hydric, and other frequently wet soils always need to be considered by Soils with major hydric components are indicators developers, and municipal officials. of potential wetlands, and they are generally among the least suitable soils for development. These soils should not be used for development, ALLUVIAL SOILS and should be protected from other encroach- Alluvial soils are frequently, but not always, located ments. It would be best to avoid development on within a floodplain. They have been deposited by these soils because of the increased potential for flowing water and are not stable as a result of environmental degradation if they are developed. their texture and composition. The presence of Figure 19 shows soils with major hydric compo- alluvial soils is only one indicator of a floodplain. nents. Changes in the tributary drainage area or slope of the adjacent stream may create a floodplain that is Because of wetness, these soils present a major either larger or smaller than the area of alluvial constraint for development wherever on-site subsurface sewage treatment is utilized, as in many rural areas, since treatment depends largely Figure 19: Soils on adequate water percolation through the soil. In Upper Moreland this is not an issue since the township is almost completely sewered, and such COUNTY LINE RD soils exist only in small concentrations, as shown in (Figure 19). RD P IO N EE JACKSONVILLE R RD Hydric soils in true wetlands are protected and WARMINSTER RD regulated by federal, state, and/or local regula-

O LD BYBERRY RD tions. However, there may also be requirements MORELAND Y O AVE R K R in addition to those already in effect in the town- D HATBORO

S E P T ship that could help to ensure better protection of A

KE TP A NI these areas. Regulations which will protect re- LVA SY N 263 N PE rn maining natural features are included under the he ut

BLAIR MILL RD o S 276 lk ¦¨§ fo or N classification of Natural Features Protection Ordi-

RD nances, which are described further in this report. GDON HUNTIN These additional requirements will ensure greater TERWOOD RD protection of not only wetlands, but also flood- 611

Willow Grove Interchange Upper Moreland plains and other wet or otherwise environmentally High School sensitive land areas. E A S TERWOOD RD T D O R N L R IL D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club O L D

Y SURFACE WATERS AND O R K

R D DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE OLD HYDROLOGY YORK RD

611 263 WATERSHEDS AND DRAINAGE

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD AREAS Alluvial Soils It should be noted that in any given year, annual Hydric Soils precipitation can vary from the average by as Prime Agriculture Soils much as ten inches. Generally speaking, 25 Statewide Important Soils Source: Soil Survey, Montgomery County. U.S. Department of percent of precipitation becomes direct runoff, 50 Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, 1967, updated 1976 and 1977. Montgomery County 01,200 2,400 4, 800 Feet percent evaporates or is transpired by plants, and Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Note: This map indicates the approximate location of alluvial and hydric soils Commission in Upper Moreland Township. Accurate location may require field survey. Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 25 percent replenishes groundwater. The surface www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC water that falls on or is carried through Upper

36 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Figure 20: Watersheds HYDROLOGY Surface waters enter Upper Moreland from Hor-

COUNTY LINE RD sham, Upper Dublin, and Abington Townships in Montgomery County. They also enter from Upper

RD Southhampton and Warminster Townships in PI ON EE JACKSONVILLE R RD Bucks County. Warminster and Horsham surface WARMINSTER RD waters also pass through the Borough of Hatboro

O LD in Montgomery County. Most of the drainage BYBERRY RD MORELAND Y O AVE R K R areas are suburban in character, with extensive D HATBORO

S E P development. Throughout the entire watershed, T A KE TP IA N sediment from inadequately protected lands, efflu- VA YL NS 263 PEN rn ent from malfunctioning on-lot sewage disposal he ut

BLAIR MILLRD o S 276 lk ¦¨§ fo or N systems, and stormwater runoff from developed areas contribute non-point pollutants that tend to RD NGDON HUNTI degrade surface water quality. Riparian buffers TERWOOD RD (vegetation in the form of grasses, shrubs, and 611

Willow Grove Interchange Upper Moreland trees located along watercourses) that trap much High School of the sediment and improve surface water quality E A S TERWOOD RD T D O R N L R IL D H must be maintained where they exist, and be pro-

E G D E Huntingdon Valley vided where they do not exist. Riparian buffer Country Club OL

Y OR regulations, under zoning, subdivision and land K

R D DAVISVILLE RD OLD YORK development ordinances, are described further in RD

611 263 this report. An erosion control and sedimentation

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD ordinance can also help to protect water quality.

Stormwater management is a major regional issue Pennypack Creek facing Upper Moreland and its neighbors. The Sandy Run Southampton Creek (subwatershed of Pennypack Creek) township intends to cooperate with its upstream and downstream neighbors and the Pennypack

Montgomery County 02,4004,8001, 200 Feet Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Ecological Restoration Trust to maintain or im- Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification prove the surface water quality in the Pennypack from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC Creek watershed. Among the most important Moreland affects the topography, soils, vegetation, tools that can be used in this effort is a Watershed and groundwater and comes from two natural Stormwater Management Plan, that requires par- sources: direct runoff and groundwater. A third, ticipation by all communities in the watershed, as manmade source, may also contribute to stream regulated by Act 164, the state’s Stormwater Man- flow: effluent from sewage treatment plants, agement Act. Methods intended to further pro- which tends to dampen the variation between tect water quality by regulating site design and high and low flow periods. resource preservation may be explored to determine if they would be a benefit. Also, on-lot sew- The ridges and stream valleys formed by geologic age treatment systems in the watershed should be forces are erosion, including surface weathering, replaced by connection to public sewer systems create drainage basins that are major surface fea- where available, or managed carefully where tures of the region. Figure 20 shows that the public sewers are not available, to help to guard entire township is within the Pennypack Creek against future malfunctioning that could pollute watershed except for a relatively small amount of surface waters. land along Moreland Road that is within the Sandy Run potion of the Wissahickon watershed. It also shows 100-year floodplain limits.

37 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Figure 21: Wetlands Flourtown, and Enfield and are probably the direct source of water for many residents.

COUNTY LINE RD VEGETATION AND RD P IO N EE JACKSONVILLE R RD WILDLIFE WARMINSTER RD WOODLANDS

O LD

AND BYBERRY RD MOREL Y The original vegetation of Montgomery County O AVE R K R HATBORO D was a dense forest of hardwoods which covered S E P T A over 99 percent of the county. Oaks were the KE TP IA VAN YL dominant species, but chestnut, tulip poplar, NS 263 N PE rn he ut

BLAIR MILL RD o hickory, ash, red maple, and dogwoods were also S 276 lk ¦¨§ fo or N present. Several hundred years of clearing and

RD GDON HUNTIN cultivation, and in more recent times the rapid development of houses and commercial facilities, TERWOOD RD 611 have reduced woodlands to a shadow of their Willow Grove Interchange Upper Moreland High School former extent. The principle types of woodlands

E A TERWOOD RD S D T R remaining in the county are: O N L R IL D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club O Red Oak - About 60% of all remaining woodlands. L D

Y O R K Northern Red Oak is predominant, but Black, R D DAVISVILLE RD OLD YORK Scarlet and Chestnut Oak are also abundant. RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD Ash/Maple/Elm - About 19% of all woodlands. Local mixtures will vary, and include minor species, such as the Slippery Elm, Yellow Birch, NWI Wetlands Black Gum, Sycamore, and Poplar. Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, office of Biological Services for the National Wetlands Inventory. NWI = National Wetlands Inventory Eastern Red Cedar - 18% of the county's wooded Montgomery County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Fe et

Note: Wetlands were identified by high altitude aerial photographs Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission acres are covered with this species and associated based on vegetation, visible hydrology, and geography in accordance Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 with "Classification of Wetlands and Deep-Water Habitats of the www.montcopa.org/plancom United States" Cowardin, et al, 1977. This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification species: Gray Birch, Red Maple, Sweet Birch, and from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC Aspen. WETLANDS Sugar Maple/Beech/Yellow Birch - The remaining Groundwater behaves much like surface water, three percent of woodlands is comprised of this flowing like a stream, only much more slowly. association. Associated species include Red Groundwater is tapped as a source of drinking Maple, Hemlock, Northern Red oak, White Ash, water and for industrial purposes where surface and Tulip Poplar. water is unavailable. Woodlands and hedgerows serve many purposes, Groundwater replenishment occurs slowly, as both functional and aesthetic. Woodlands precipitation and in some cases stream water seep prevent erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, through the soil, down to the aquifer. Open, provide buffers for creeks, and offer recreational undisturbed land is essential to groundwater opportunities for residents. recharge since vegetation serves to retain precipitation where it falls, allowing it to soak into Woodland “corridors” also provide cover for wild- the soil rather than run off the surface. Impervious life movement and migration. These include surface from development prevents infiltration of hedgerows and larger woodland connections, precipitation. such as those found along stream valleys. These areas also provide important shelter and foraging The Township obtains its water supply from the opportunities for wildlife. Woodland corridors, in Aqua Pennsylvania Corporation which utilizes a particular hedgerows, also provide a scenic quality series of 13 wells (14 percent of supply) and and reduce soils erosion by slowing wind and reservoirs (86 percent of supply) for its system. water. These areas are often found along roads, Three of the 13 wells are located in Oreland,

38 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Figure 22: Woodlands SCENIC ROADS AND VISTAS Scenic resources are elements of the natural and/ or built environment that stand out among all the COUNTY LINE RD attributes of a community. They tend to be the most pleasant and interesting places, such as RD P IO N EE

JACKSONVILLE R R historic sites, natural features like lakes or creeks, D WARMINSTER RD WARMINSTER Elementary and recreation areas. and Middle School

O L D BYBERRY RD ELAND MOR Y Although the process of identifying a scenic O AVE R K

R HATBORO D resource is largely dependent on the observer's S E P T A E PK own opinions and preferences, information T IA AN LV SY N collected from a community group, such as a 263 EN P n er th ou BLAIR MILL RD S 276 lk planning commission, can provide a relatively ¦¨§ fo or N broad inventory. Wherever possible, these N RD NGDO HUNTI areas should be preserved and linked to the

TERWOOD RD community's open space and recreation 611 Willow Grove system. Scenic resources in Upper Moreland Interchange Upper Moreland High School are summarized below under the combined E A TERWOOD RD S D T R O L N L R I heading of roadways and views and are D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley mapped in Figure 24. The defining element Country Club O L D

Y O or feature for each resource is noted. R K

R D DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE OLD YORK RD Roadways with scenic attributes contribute to a 611 263 FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD community's open space system because they provide a way to view its scenic resources and in some cases also serve as recreation routes for Woodland Areas walkers, bicyclists, and joggers. A number of such Source: 1990 DVRPC Aerial Photography roads exist in the Township.

Montgomery County 01, 200 2,400 4,800 Feet

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Woodlands, stream valleys, and historic and Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission • PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification cultural resources complement large open from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC space areas on the Huntington Valley Coun- try Club, Raytharn and Carson-Simpson property lines, and separating portions within one Farms, and Mason’s Mill and Pileggi Parks. large property. These resources can be seen in Chapter 3.

Woodlands are a major natural resource consid- • Terwood Road; between Paper Mill Road ered in open space planning, and they are among (south) and Edge Hill Road (north). the most prominent natural features in a commu- • Edge Hill Road east of Overlook Road nity. Unfortunately, the township’s mature oak • Huntingdon Road forests and their related habitats have been reduced as the township grew. Woodlands were • Mason’s Mill Road removed to facilitate farming and development, and the remnants of those woodlands have become more important as a result.

Fortunately, as a developed community matures, the trees planted or remaining on developed lands become an urban forest that provides many of the environmental benefits previously provided by the naturally occurring woodlands. Additional tree planting that extends the area of existing woodlands be connecting or merging them with other areas of trees will be beneficial to the township. Figure 22 shows locations of remaining woodlands in the township.

39 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES NATIONAL REGISTER SITES • There are currently no known resources listed as National Landmarks or on the National Register of Historic Places, and no known pending applications. • There are currently no known archaeological sites or ruins recognized as significant in the township. • Locally important sites of historic or cultural significance as shown on the map in Figure 23, and listed on the related key for identification, (list is being assembled). These include old homes that may contribute to the cultural heritage of Upper Moreland by virtue of their age and architectural characteristics. According to data from the Upper Moreland Historical Commission, some of these individual homes date back to 1725, although most are from the 1800’s. Also important culturally are the neighborhood units that represent a variety of development types consistent with various periods of the twenti- eth century, as identified and described in the Upper Moreland Township Comprehensive Plan of 1969. Figure 23: Historic & Cultural Resources

COUNTY LINE RD

66 69 RD 35 P 68 ION 65 JACKSONVILLE EE 46 84 R RD67 63

WARMINSTER RD WARMINSTER 64 Elementary 85 & 86 Middle School O 4 L 8 6 D

ORELAND BYBERRY RD 5 M Y 7 O AVE R K 34

R D HATBORO 33

S E PT

A E PK T IA AN LV SY 106 NN 263 PE 47 rn he ut

BLAIR MILL RD o S 32 276 lk Carson §¨¦ rfo o Simpson Farm 95 87 N 96 107 3 50 222019 D 49 Willow Grove Day Camp GDON R 21 31 HUNTIN 51 48 62 Sewer Authority41 42 3083 2 TERWOOD RD 611 82 77 79 81 78 75 Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Ecological District Interchange High School 80 7173 40 74 727660 E A 91 S 88 D TERWOOD RD T R 70 O L N L 89 R I D 28 H 109 27 E G 90 29 D 54 E 53 45 25 24 39 Huntingdon Valley 1 10552 Country18 Club 43 O 17 L 103 93 D

44 11 38 Y 16 23 37 12 O R 94 57 K 104 55 R 10 36 97 DAVISVILLE RD 9 D 98 OLD99 YORK RD100 102

15 263101 59 58 1361 611 14 56 FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD

Legend

Historic Resources (See Figure 23a for list of resources) Creeks Railroad Roads Montgomery County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet

40 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Map ID # Address Date 53 438 Lawnton Rd 1890 1 2321 Blair Mill Rd 1800 54 708 Lincoln Ave 1895 2 2901 Blair Mill Rd 1790 55 500 Manor House Ln 1898 3 3209 Blair Mill Rd 1758 56 301 Moreland Rd, E. 1758 4 2305 Byberry Rd 1732 57 3505 Moreland Rd 1800 58 3515 Moreland Rd 1830 5 2668 Byberry Rd 1740 59 3625 Moreland Rd 1830 6 2815 Byberry Rd 1902 60 2600 Papermill Rd 1776 7 2820 Byberry Rd 1870 61 17 Park Ave 1910 8 3045 Byberry Rd 1800 62 3045 Pennypack Rd 1800 9 202 Cameron Rd 1906 63 1945 Pioneer Rd 10 218 Cameron Rd 1910 64 1950 Pioneer Rd 11 324 Cameron Rd 65 2345 Pioneer Rd 1820 12 200 Cedar Ave 66 2520 Pioneer Rd 1870 13 7 Center St 1895 67 4205 Shoemaker Rd 1832 14 5 Cherry St 1890 68 4305 Shoemaker Rd 1830 15 14 Church St 1850 69 4325 Shoemaker Rd 1800 16 2255 Computer Ave 1871 70 1041 Terwood Rd 1800 17 2305 Computer Ave 1785 71 1403 Terwood Rd 1776 72 1405 Terwood Rd 1930 18 2295 Country Club Dr 1846 73 1901 Terwood Rd 1795 19 1420 Creek Rd 1787 74 1555 Terwood Rd 1860 20 1460 Creek Rd 1797 75 2005 Terwood Rd 1842 21 1440 Creek Rd 76 2015 Terwood Rd 1800 22 1480 Creek Rd 1800 77 2045 Terwood Rd 1774 23 331 Dallas Rd 1885 78 2100 Terwood Rd 1780 24 428 Davisville Rd 1900 79 2175 Terwood Rd 1800 25 510 Davisville Rd 1880 80 2316 Terwood Rd 1800 26 512 Davisville Rd 1880 81 2318 Terwood Rd 1800 27 518 Davisville Rd 1890 82 2520 Terwood Rd 1870 28 530 Davisville Rd 1880 83 2540 Terwood Rd 1800 29 532 Davisville Rd 1880 84 4170 Thistlewood Dr 85 96 Warminster Rd 1780 30 985 Davisville Rd 1732 86 105 Warminster Rd 1780 31 3110 Davisville Rd 1840 87 531 Warminster Rd 1770 32 3405 Davisville Rd 1790 88 800 Warren St 1800 33 3840 Davisville Rd 1730 89 Washington Ln 1775 34 3844 Davisville Rd 1860 90 2400 Washington Ln 1775 35 4220 Davisville Rd 1800 91 2495 Washington Ln 1776 36 407 Easton Rd, N. 1900 93 3335 Whitehall Dr 1800 37 501 Easton Rd, N. 1900 94 100 Woodlawn Ave 1920 38 603 Easton Rd, N. 1920 95 638 York Rd, S. 39 2320 Edgehill Rd 1730 96 640 York Rd, S. 1910 40 2645 Edgehill Rd 1800 97 210 York Rd, N. 1759 41 2710 Edgehill Rd 1759 98 133 York Rd, N. 1910 42 2955 Edgehill Rd 1791 99 York & 309 Davisville Rd 1896 100 71 York Rd, N. 1926 43 701 Ellis Rd 1800 101 25 York Rd, N. 1805 44 240 Fitwatertown Rd 1876 102 26 York Rd, N. 1725 45 331 Gilpin Rd 1890 103 309 Davisville Rd. 1900 46 4170 Hoffman Rd 1800 104 231 Fitzwatertown Rd 1835 47 2522 Horsham Rd 1785 105 418 Lawnton Rd 48 1460 Huntingdon Rd 1800 106 3111 Masons Mill Rd 49 1860 Huntingdon Rd 1790 107 3245 Masons Mill Rd 50 1965 Huntingdon Rd 1800 109 1015 Terwood Rd 51 2070 Huntingdon Rd 1800 111 1005 Huntingdon Rd 52 428 Lawnton Rd 1890 108 Total Structures

41 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Figure 24: Scenic Roads

COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

O RELAND L MO D

BYBERRY RD VE Y A O R K HATBORO

S E P T A

KE TP A NI VA YL NS 263 N PE n er th BLAIR MILL RD BLAIR ou S §¨276 lk ¦ fo or N

Willow Grove Day Camp RD GDON HUNTIN Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD Natural 611 Lands Trust

Upper Moreland High School Willow Grove Pennypack Interchange Preserve

E A S TERWOOD RD T O D N R R L D IL H E G D E Huntingdon Valley O Country Club L D Y O R

K RD DAVISVILLE

R D

OLD 263 611 YORK RD FITZWATERTOWN RD FITZWATERTOWN

MORELAND RD

Legend Scenic Roads

Creeks Railroad Roads Township Owned Lands Natural Land Trust Huntingdon Valley Country Club Willow Grove Summer Day Camp Sewer Authority Lands Montgomery County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet Planning Pennypack Preserve Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission Upper Moreland School District Lands PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC

42 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 4

Aerial shot of Pennypack Creek, located on Pennypack Preserve Property. Pictometry Spring 2005.

43 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES

An important aspect of open space is the accessibility of that space to community residents and to the region as a whole. This section of the plan identifies potential open space linkages that can tie together open space sites within Upper Moreland Township and connect to open space in adjacent communities. Such connections help form a more comprehensive open space system for residents and contribute to the creation of a more effective and enjoyable regional network. They can increase the accessibility of parks by allowing off-street pedestrian and bicycle access and can offer recreational opportunities in and of themselves as passive, natural recreational space. Examples of potential linkages include utility corridors, stream valleys, abandoned rail lines, sidewalks, and similar linear features.

Identification of potential linkages on a regional level will help to contribute to Montgomery County's vision of a Countywide Trail System.

Possible connections for Upper Moreland Township are described below and shown in Figure 25.

STREAM CORRIDORS Ecological Restoration Trust (PERT) and neighboring municipalities will maximize the opportunities A system of “greenways,” or linear parks, is the for greenway linkages. The Upper Moreland most desirable way to protect stream corridors and Comprehensive Plan of 1969 encouraged “an provide open space linkages. They may provide open space network based on preservation of paths for access to fishing areas, or through areas stream areas as a ’park belt’ leading to and con- with special botanical or wildlife habitats. In addi- nection all major parks and facilities, to the extent tion, greenway linkages along stream corridors practical, within the Township”, as shown in can provide both scenic connections and environ- Figure 25. mental benefits as riparian buffers that filter potential pollutants from surface water before they enter the streams. Coordination with the Pennypack

44 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5

Figure 25: Township Linkages

COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI O N JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

OL RELAND MO D BYBERRY RD AVE Y O R K HATBORO

R D

S E P T A E PK T IA N VA YL NS 263 EN P n er th BLAIR MILL RD ou S ¨¦§276 lk fo or N

Willow Grove Day Camp RD GDON HUNTIN Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD Natural 611 Lands Trust

Upper Moreland High School Willow Grove Pennypack Interchange Preserve

E A S TERWOOD RD T D ON R L R L D I H E G D E Huntingdon Valley O Country Club L D Y O R

K RD DAVISVILLE

R D

OLD 263 611 YORK RD FITZWATERTOWN RD

MORELAND RD

Legend

Powerline & Cross County Trail Systems (Proposed Linkage) Township Spur Trails (Proposed Linkage) Existing Sidewalks Creeks Railroad Roads Various Utility Lands Township Owned Lands Montgomery Natural Land Trust County 02,4004,8001,200 Fee t Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Huntington Valley Country Club Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom Willow Grove Summer Day Camp This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. Sewer Authority Lands MCPC Pennypack Preserve Upper Moreland School District Lands

45 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5

However, the developed character of the commu- UTILITY & ROAD nity, with major roads and rail lines to cross, will require extra efforts on the parts of those who plan CORRIDORS and implement the linkages. Some linkages will Parts of the township are crossed by major utility need to use selected street corridors and access corridors that can provide short vital links in the easements across developed properties to intercon- overall system, or function as alternative corridors in nect some of the system’s parts. themselves, as shown in Figure 25. Two electric transmission lines (132 and 220 KV) share a corridor Virtually all of the township is within the watershed leading from Horsham Township to the Heaton of the Pennypack Creek, as shown in Chapter Four, substation. The 220 KV line continues along the which flows to the Delaware River. The Pennypack Trenton cut-off until it turns north along the SEPTA Creek enters through the narrow strip of Upper Warminster (R2) rail line and then continues Moreland between Horsham Township and the through Horsham into Warminster Township, Bucks Borough of Hatboro, then passes through Hatboro County. The Sun Company pipeline corridor runs and across Upper Moreland to the Borough of Bryn along the Trenton cut-off corridor, then crosses over Athyn and Lower Moreland Township. Open space to the Pennsylvania Turnpike corridor at Byberry within the creek corridor in the township is pro- Road. It follows the turnpike for approximately one- tected under PERT ownership as the Pennypack half mile, then turns northeast to run along the Preserve. The remaining streams in the township Southampton Creek corridor. These corridors can (with the exception of the headwaters of Sandy be useful as open space linkages where physical Run, a Wissahickon Creek tributary) are all tributaries conditions allow it. Use of these corridors must to the Pennypack Creek. The largest is the South- comply with each utility’s rules and regulations, and hampton Creek, which enters from Upper South- may not be permanently guaranteed. hampton Township, Bucks County. Efforts to preserve these stream corridors have not yet succeeded The three rail corridors in the township are Conrail’s in creating the “park belt” recommended in the Trenton cut-off, SEPTA’s active Warminster line, and township’s comprehensive plan. However, parts of SEPTA’s inactive Newtown line. All three provide that “park belt” system have been permanently or some potential for use as trail corridors, although temporarily protected and provide a foundation the active lines are limited in that respect by rail upon which additional linkages can be added. traffic. The potential for increased freight traffic and Figure 25 shows the proposed Cross County Trail potential for passenger use for the “Cross-County and Powerline Trail systems as well as the proposed Metro” may further constrain use of the Trenton cut- Township spur trails, and the existing sidewalk net- off as a trail corridor. Also, interest has been shown work. These trail systems when constructed will in reactivation of the Newtown line, which would form a continuous trail system across the Township make it unavailable for use as the “Newtown Green- along a significant greenbelt of preserved property way” trail corridor. along the Pennypack Creek. The developed character of most of the township The challenge of extending open space linkages makes it impractical to depend only on stream, rail, along stream corridors requires a continuing com- or utility corridors to create a system of intercon- mitment to a long range task. It also will require use nected linkages. Pedestrian and bicycle linkages of a variety of methods as described in Chapter must also depend on the existing road network. In Eleven, Alternative Methods for Protecting Open these cases local roads may need to be used to Space, because most of the potential linkages would reach stream, rail, or utility corridor trails, and /or be occur on lands that are privately owned and already interconnected with pedestrian and bicycle linkages developed. in adjacent municipalities. Unfortunately, major roads in the township generally do not have adequate cartway width to accommodate a bicycle lane, and existing development along these roads is a constraint to installation of a separate bicycle lane. Therefore, plans for bicycle/pedestrian routes will need to consider interconnections along streets through the neighborhoods to provide the most suitable connections. In other locations, off-road

46 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5 bicycle/pedestrian paths may be feasible . Figure link to the proposed Cross County and Power Line 25 shows the recommended open space linkages Trails. system, including use of stream, utility, and road Upper Moreland Existing Walking Trails & corridors. However, more detailed study of poten- Perimeter Pathways tial road linkage routes is needed to determine Masons Mill Park Fitness Trail 0.72-mile routes that would actually be implemented. Masons Mill Nature Trail 1.10-miles PENNYPACK CREEK F.J. Pileggi Park Walkway 0.32-mile & War Memorial Park Walkway 0.33-mile OTHER LINKAGES War Memorial Park Nature Trail 0.42-mile Woodlawn Park Walkway 0.34-mile The most prominent inter-municipal or regional open space link is that along the Pennypack Creek Buehler Park Nature Trail 0.32-mile into the Pennypack Preserve, with potential for con- Fair Oaks Perimeter Trail 0.39-mile nections through Bryn Athyn and Lower Moreland Total 4.00-miles to the county’s Lorimer Park in Abington Township and through Pennypack Creek Park in Philadelphia to the Delaware River. The next most significant ACCESS & interconnection will be through Hatboro and Hor- sham, along the Pennypack Creek. CONSERVATION

Horsham Township is proposing a connection EASEMENTS along Moreland Avenue into Upper Moreland and All the corridors described in this chapter would be the Borough of Hatboro. used for open space linkages with the township’s parks, school sites, and natural features, as well as The Borough of Hatboro is proposing trail linkages for interconnections with neighboring municipali- along both sides the Pennypack Creek. Those trail ties. However, the practical results will be limited by linkages are proposed along Fulmor Avenue and funding, physical barriers, and the degree of coop- Mill Road. Theses connections will link to proposed eration achieved through negotiations with prop- spur trails in Upper Moreland which are proposed erty owners. to feed into the Cross-County Trail system as well as connect the Borough with Willow Grove Park and The preferred way to create linkages is to acquire provide a pedestrian connection into the down- the land by purchase or donation. However, the town core of Willow Grove. developed character of most of the township will require, instead, the acquisition of access rights for Other major links will eventually include the linkages across developed private properties. The county’s proposed “Pennypack Trail” through Bryn acquisition of access easements or right-of-way will Athyn, connecting to Byberry Road in Upper More- be pursued whenever appropriate open space link- land. The “Cross County Trail” running down the ages arise, consistent with the recommendations of middle of Upper Moreland will make connections to this plan. The township will work with the prop- Upper Dublin. Connections to Horsham Township erty’s developer to ensure that the easement will not are made through the “Power Line Trail” which is adversely affect their proposal. These opportunities proposed to connect with “The Cross County Trail” may arise when development is proposed, or when at Route 63. properties change ownership. Specific properties along the proposed greenways will be identified EXISTING TRAILS & and prioritized for acquisition of land or easements. LINKAGES Then an action plan will be necessary to implement these acquisitions. The donation of land or access Presently, Upper Moreland offers various walking rights to the township is an option that may provide trails and perimeter pathways throughout the town- a tax incentive to a landowner and enable the ship. Below is an existing inventory of those trails township to acquire access rights at little or no cost. and pedestrian pathways. Many of which link to the existing sidewalk inventory throughout the township. Many are proposed to be expanded and

47 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5

CROSS COUNTY TRAIL A mile section of the trail in Plymouth Township was constructed as part of the development of two-large The 17.5-mile trail Cross County trail will stretch retail shopping complexes. from Norristown through Fort Washington and Willow Grove into Bucks County, linking densely • Points of Interest: populated areas of Montgomery County. The trail Fort Washington State Park, Wissahickon will use the Schuylkill River Trail from Conshohockon Valley County Park, Wissahickon Green Ribbon Pre- to Norristown and will connect to the Wissahickon serve, Hope Lodge, Pennypack Wilderness Preserve, Trail near Fort Washington and the Power Line Trail Conshohocken and Bryn Athyn Boroughs, SEPTA and Pennypack Trail near Willow Grove. train stations at Conshohocken, Norristown, Fort Washington, and Willow Grove.

• Connections: Schuylkill River, Wissahickon, Power Line, and Pennypack Trails, state and county park trail systems, Chester Valley Trail via the Schuylkill River Trail.

• Major Public/Private Partnerships: Plymouth, Whitemarsh, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, and Lower Moreland Townships, and Conshohocken Borough, PA Bureau of State Parks, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, adjacent landowners, Norfolk Southern Railroad, PECO/ Exelon, Sun Pipeline Company, PennDOT, PaDCNR, and PaDEP.

• Significant Design Issues: Trail connections to Schuylkill River, Wissa- hickon, and Pennypack Trails, route selection in Route 73/Bethlehem Pike area and Willow Grove/ Upper Moreland area, separation of trail and railroad uses. PENNYPACK TRAIL The proposed 6.5-mile trail will be a connector between Bucks County, the Cross County Trail, and the Pennypack Park section of Philadelphia’s Fair- mount Park System. The trail will utilize the Mont- gomery County portion of SEPTA’s former New- town-Fox Chase commuter rail line and may eventually extend in Bucks County to the Borough of New- When the Cross County and Chester Valley Trails are town. The Pennypack Trail will be a major linkage completed, people will be able to travel from the between Montgomery County’s Lorimer Park and Willow Grove area all the way to Downingtown in Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust’s extensive Chester County. conservation lands in Huntingdon Valley known as the Pennypack Wilderness Preserve, following the The trail will utilize railroad and utility corridors, scenic Pennypack Creek valley for most of its route. roadways, and county and state lands. It will pro- Philadelphia currently maintains a bike and pedes- vide alternative transportation access to shopping trian trail along the Pennypack Creek all the way and transit services at Plymouth Meeting and Willow from the county line to the Delaware River. Grove and the downtown area of Conshohocken.

48 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 5

• Points of Interest: • Points of Interest: Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Municipal parks, Wissahickon Green Rib- Lorimer Park, Philadelphia’s Pennypack Park, Fox bon Preserve, College Settlement Farm and local chase Farm, Bryn Athyn Cathedral and mansions, historic sites, Montgomery Mall, North Wales Bor- Pennypack Creek scenery and amenities. ough, Roth Living Farm Museum of Delaware Valley College.

• Connections: Evansburg, Liberty Bell, Cross County, and Wissahickon Trails, Route 202 Trail, municipal trail systems.

• Major Public/Private Partnerships: Upper Gwynedd, Montgomery, Horsham, and Upper Moreland Townships, PECO/Exelon, adjacent landowners, SEPTA, PennDOT, PaDCNR, PaDEP.

• Significant Design Issues: Cross County Trail connection, road cross- • Connections: ings at PA Turnpike, Routes 202 and 309, and Sum- Cross County Trail, Fairmount Park trail neytown Pike, railroad crossings, connections to system, Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust trail Delaware Valley College’s Roth Farm. system, Lorimer Park trail system.

• Major Public/Private Partnerships:

Upper Moreland and Abington Townships, Bryn Athyn and Rockledge Boroughs, Bucks County Commissioners and municipalities , Pennypack Eco- logical Restoration Trust, Lord’s New Church, City of Philadelphia, adjacent landowners, SEPTA, Penn- DOT, PaDCNR, and PaDEP.

• Significant Design Issues: Rail with trail in narrow creek valley, road crossings, bridges across Pennypack Creek. POWER LINE TRAIL The proposed 17-mile Power Line Trail shares a PECO/Exelon transmission corridor in Horsham Township and will run between the Evansburg Trail and the Cross County Trail. Horsham Township has an agreement with PECO for use of the corridor and has already installed a multi-use trail section of about 2.5 miles, with plans to complete the trail across the remainder of the township. In cooperation with the additional municipalities, this trail will eventually extend westward through Montgomery and Upper Gwynedd Townships and eastward to the Pennypack and Cross County Trails in Upper Moreland Township utilizing the utility corridor rights-of-way and local roads as necessary.

49 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF UNPROTECTED RESOURCES

As outlined in chapter four, important vulnerable resources such as floodplains, steep slopes, woodlands, scenic views, and historic sites are found in Upper Moreland. This chapter identifies areas where they are not permanently protected, proposes priorities for their future preservation, and establishes specific protection goals. Generally, the priority categories are based on the extent of resources found in a given area, particularly where a concentration exists, their location and contribution to community identity, and the open space goals established in chapter two. The mapping in previous chapters and this analysis are intended to help the township determine its priorities and recommendations regarding theses resources. Figure 26 shows the locations of each of these natural resources. COMPOSITE OF The resources found in Upper Moreland are fo- VULNERABLE cused around the Township’s creeks. The com- RESOURCES posite map (Figure 26) shows the importance of having good riparian buffer protection ordi- Information and mapping used for analysis in this nances in place so that as future development chapter is found in detail in Chapters Three, Four, takes place the resources are protected, which in and Five, Existing Protected Land, Vulnerable Re- turn may protect residents from flood damage. sources, and Open Space Linkages, respectively. In order to analyze the relationship between the Therefore, we need to be able to compare the natu- Township’s vulnerable resources and existing pro- ral resource values between two pieces of property. tected land, a composite of select natural features For example, a property that has three resources was produced. Only the most vulnerable elements overlapping (i.e. alluvial soils, woodlands, buffer of the individual resources were used. In addition, area) will have a greater relative value than a piece several resources that display similar vulnerabilities, of property that contains only floodplain. This such as alluvial soils and floodplains, were com- analysis should also take into account the fact that bined for the purposes of analysis. the Township does not value all resource land equally.

50 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 6

Figure 26: Composite Natural Features

Ramsey Tract-2005 Emergency Fund Purchase

COUNTY LINE RD RD

P IO N JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

O L D

AND MOREL YO BYBERRY RD

AVE R K R D HATBORO

S E P T A E PK T IA AN LV SY NN 263 PE Cardone Tract-2005 Emergency Fund Purchase rn he ut

BLAIR MILL BLAIR RD o S 276 lk ¨¦§ fo or N

RD Willow Grove Day Camp GDON HUNTIN Abington Sewer Authority Mem. Hospital TERWOOD RD Natural 611 Lands Trust

Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Interchange High School Preserve

E A S D TERWOOD RD T R O L N L R I D H E G D E Huntingdon Valley Country Club

O L D

Y O R K

R DAVISVILLE RD DAVISVILLE D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD Legend

Creeks NWI_Wetlands Wood Lands FEMA Floodplain Alluvial Soils Steep Soils Riparian Buffer Area Railroad Roads Montgomery Prime Agricultural Soils County 01,200 2,400 4,800 Feet Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ Soils of Statewide Significance (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes.

Possible 2005 Open Space Aquisitions MCPC

51 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 6

ANALYSIS NATURAL RESOURCES This section is intended to help the township deter- In various areas of the township, natural resources mine its priorities and recommendations regarding can still be appreciated, although the hills, valleys, the resources included in this report relative to the streams, and woodlands are dominated by develop- Concentration of Resources, Environmental Protec- ment. In areas where stream valleys and a wooded tion Function, Contribution to Community Identity, character are enhanced by protection efforts, open Proximity to Developed Areas and Populations, and space benefits will result. Compatibility with Community Goals. PRIORITIZATION OF PERMANENTLY PROTECTED LANDS AREAS FOR Township-owned lands, lands of the Natural Lands PRESERVATION Trust, and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration A map of unprotected resource priorities was Trust are protected from further development that is developed (Figure 26), showing areas of conver- inconsistent with the open space and environ- gence of woodlands, floodplains, and steep mental protection goals of this plan. slopes discussed in more detail in Chapter 4. Areas of convergence are higher priority areas. HUNTINGDON VALLEY COUNTRY These areas should be protected through either CLUB’S GOLF COURSE AND OTHER acquisition or land use regulations. PRIVATE LANDS This will probably remain as protected recreational NATURAL FEATURES, INCLUDING open space as long as its owner considers it to be a SCENIC VIEWS & ROADWAYS good business venture, and membership remains • The more that natural resources are pro- stable. Other private recreation lands will probably tected, the greater their contribution as sce- remain as protected recreational open space until nic resources will be. In addition, a variety their owners experience financial difficulties or a of environmental and recreational benefits significant drop in demand for their facilities. Due are possible with protection of natural features, including erosion control, flood con- to these circumstances this land should be consid- trol, preservation of habitats, and creation of ered as temporarily protected open space. greenway linkages. Of course, groundwater recharge and water quality are critical elements of environmental protection as well. INSTITUTIONAL OPEN SPACE LANDS These lands should be considered as temporarily PRIVATE RECREATION FACILITIES protected because expansion plans could reduce • Lands temporarily protected as private recrea- the extent of open space areas and facilities on a tion facilities provide a valuable supply of rec- given property, or portions of the properties could reational opportunities for the community, and be subdivided and sold. the Huntington Valley Country Club provides a large parcel of “protected” green space for the township. Loss of the smaller private facilities LOCALLY IMPORTANT HISTORIC SITES would probably have to be made up by addi- AND SITES OF LOCAL CULTURAL SIG- tional municipal or school district facilities, or by NIFICANCE some form of intervention by the township with regard to these properties and the services These are scattered throughout the township and and amenities they provide. may be considered as assets if these privately owned properties are maintained in their historic or culturally significant character, thereby maintaining pockets of historic/cultural space. Otherwise, they may be endangered by potential neglect, redevelopment, or renovations that are out of character. Due to these circumstances this land should be considered as temporarily protected open space.

52 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 6

HISTORIC & CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTIES • The owners of these properties should be encouraged to protect them in order to continue their contribution to the character of the community. Upper Moreland recently adopted an Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning district which provides some protection for any property in the township that qualifies.

INSTITUTIONAL PROPERTIES • Lands temporarily protected as open space within institutional properties include school district and some private recreation facilities. Although some of these facilities may not be accessible to the general public for active use, they are all available visually to contribute to the overall spacious character of the lands.

SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL FEA- TURES IN RELATION TO POSSIBLE 2005 OPEN SPACE ACQUISITIONS • The tracts shown in Figure 26 outlined in black represent the parcels earmarked for possible open space acquisition during the first phase of implementation. Preservation of all of the parcels shown does not seem likely although the Township has applied for “Emergency Funding” in order to purchase the “Ramsey Tract” as well as the “Cardone Tract” which are highlighted in Figure 26. All of the parcels highlighted in black contain several sensitive natural features, although the parcels that were recently purchased with “Emergency Funds” contain an exception inventory of sensitive environmental features, including woodlands, alluvial soils, wetlands, and floodplains.

Pennypack Creek, Pictometry Spring 2005

53 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS

This chapter deals the opposing forces of ever present growth and balancing those forces and open space preservation. As employment growth increases so does the number of dwelling units that are being constructed on the limited amounts of undeveloped or underutilized land still available in the township. Growth projections compete with the goals of this open space plan, which calls for increased protection measures for natural features, greater supply of recreation lands, and the preservation of any remaining green space. POPULATION, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS

This section explains the need to provide sufficient Based on regional population projections increases in the number of dwelling units in the (Figure 27) by the Delaware Valley Regional Plan- township to accommodate the population pro- ning Commission (DVRPC), the Montgomery jected for the year 2020. The developed character County Planning Commission has projected that of the township precludes designating farmland or Upper Moreland population will increase from open areas of the township as growth areas, 24,993 persons in 2000, to 25,110 persons in unless specific vacant or “underutilized” properties 2025, a slight gain of 117 people. However, can be targeted for redevelopment. However, there will be a need for additional dwelling units many of those properties are desirable for open during the same period because the average space preservation. The need for the additional household size is expected to continue to decline. projected dwelling units must be balanced with From 1980 census to the 1990 census, the town- the need to protect and preserve natural features ship added 552 new housing units while its popu- and open space. lation declined by 561 persons.

54 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

From 1990 to 2000, the township added 119 acres results in a density of three dwelling units new housing units while the township population per acre on all the land. These statistics are declined by 320 persons. These trends are ex- shown in Figure 29, and illustrated in Table 6. pected to continue. The most significant increase in housing types was that of single-family attached housing. This DVRPC figures project a need for 415 additional equates to the R zoning district, which permits a units by 2020. With the projected population of minimum lot size of three acres. It is unlikely that 25,130 persons, the average household size will all the remaining vacant land would be built at R-2 have declined to 2.32 persons per dwelling by or even R-3 density standards, and that would not 2025. According to Board of Assessments data, protect natural features or open space. the township had 1,385 acres of vacant residential and potentially developable private recreation Smaller future households can be housed in land as of May 1994, excluding the country club. smaller dwelling units that are generally built at All 415 projected new dwelling units on 1,385 higher densities, and consume less land per dwell-

Figure 27 Figure 27a: Population Projection Population Projections 25,400 Year Population 25,300 1990 25,313 2000 24,993 25,200 2005* 25,200 25,100

2010* 25,190 25,000 2015* 25,170 24,900 2020* 25,130 24,800 2025* 25,110 1990 2000 2005* 2010* 2015* 2020* 2025* Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of *DVRPC Forecasts Population & Housing 2000; DVRPC projections. * Projected population

Figure 28

Figure 28a: Employment Forecast Employment Forecast 16,500 Year Total Employment 16,000 1990 14,040 15,500 2000 14,952 15,000 14,500 2005* 15,084 Total Employment 14,000 2010* 15,667 13,500 2015* 15,892 13,000 2020* 16,094 12,500 2025* 16,302 1990 2005* 2015* 2025* Source: DVRPC Forecasts

55 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

Figure 29: Housing Types

1990 2000 % Change Housing Types Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000 Single-Family Detached 6,099 59.3% 6,096 58.6% 0.0% Single-Family Attached 707 6.9% 739 7.1% 4.5% Multi-Family (24 units) 795 7.7% 902 8.7% 13.5% Multi-Family (5 or more 2,675 26.0% 2,666 25.6% -0.3% units) Mobile Home/Trailer/Other 8 0.1% 0 0.0% -100.0% Total Housing Units 10,284 100% 10,403 100% 1.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau,. Census of Population & Housing, 1990, 2000. ing unit. Many of the new households may be ac- ALLOCATION OF commodated in new townhouse or apartment units GROWTH built as “infill” development on small, individual, vacant parcels, or as redevelopment of several as- The DVRPC growth projections are based on re- sembled parcels whose current development has gional projections that are allocated among munici- outlived its usefulness. If the total 415 dwelling palities according to previous and anticipated devel- units projected by DVRPC are eventually built, it opment and populations trends. Although the would be better to accommodate them at higher township cannot stop growth completely, it may density on fewer parcels, which translates to less regulate the types, intensities, and locations of acreage consumed, or under conservation subdivi- growth according to its own vision of the future for sion zoning that preserves significant open space Upper Moreland. Based on the goals and objec- areas, such as the existing R-3A zoning district. tives of this open space plan, that vision includes preservation of significant areas of open space and For conversions, infill, and redevelopment propos- natural features. Therefore, several concepts will be als, the township will need to evaluate its zoning implemented to achieve a more desirable balance regulations and revise them as necessary to prevent between growth and preservation for the future of problems caused by overdevelopment or inappro- Upper Moreland. priate location of intensified residential develop- RESIDENTIAL CONCEPTS ment. Also, intensification of residential development may create a need for additional smaller New residential development should be primarily at neighborhoods ”parklets” that provide some visual medium to high densities (four or more dwelling relief and open space, with limited playground facili- units per acre), with requirements to preserve signifi- ties for young children, including tot-lots. cant amounts of natural features and/or recreational space within the properties being developed. With some revisions to guarantee appropriate open MUNICIPALITY'S FUTURE space preservation, the existing R-3A Cluster, M Mul- GROWTH AREAS tifamily, and HR High Rise districts may achieve The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission these results. (DVRPC) has projected a need for a total of 415 Higher densities may also be placed in the Redevel- additional employees, by the year 2025 (Figure 28). opment Area of Willow Grove. During the imple- These additional employees may be employed in a mentation of the Willow Grove Redevelopment number of land use categories and the projection is Plan, smaller parcels may be assembled into larger not subcategorized into specific land uses such as more developable lots which would be ideal for commercial or industrial. medium to high density mixed-use residential/retail developments which will help turn the Willow

56 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

Grove area into a dynamic live-work area of Upper provide additional employment opportunities in Moreland, with train access from the entire Phila- existing downtown commercial areas. There may delphia metropolitan area. also be locations that are appropriate for expansion of employment uses onto adjacent lands that Many of the new households may be accommo- were previously not used for employment pur- dated in new townhouse or apartment units built poses. Non-residential/employment uses should as “infill” development on small, individual, vacant generally not be allowed to intrude within the parcels, or as redevelopment of several assembled established residential neighborhoods, although parcels whose current development has outlived there may be some exceptions which may be its usefulness. compatible. Generally speaking, new high density develop- The Vision Plan of the Montgomery County Com- ment or redevelopment should be located in or prehensive Plan designates the Willow Grove area near areas that already have those types of devel- within Upper Moreland as a Development Center opment and/or where traffic generated by those within an existing developed area. This is defined higher density types can be accommodated on as an existing area that will continue to have a mix the major roads. For these reasons, the Willow of uses while becoming more transit-friendly and Grove core area is a prime location for such devel- walkable. Redevelopment at the Turnpike Inter- opment/redevelopment to occur. change in the northern portion of the township will allow for new job opportunities. Figure 30 NON-RESIDENTIAL/EMPLOYMENT geographically displays the growth/ redevelopment area of Upper Moreland centered The intensification of land use on properties cur- on the Willow Grove rail corridor in which rede- rently providing employment will provide another velopment is occurring and encouraged. This means of accommodating additional employment. area will become more dense, particularly near For example, redevelopment of a one or two story the rail station at the center of town. As these office building into a three or four story office regions of Upper Moreland grow and a commer- building, or redevelopment of underutilized com- cial core with dense residential areas develops, the mercial properties into more efficient retail centers needs of this area will change. with residential and office space above the stores are techniques that should be utilized in order to

Redevelopment of underutilized industrial complex into retail-mixed use center within designated growth area of Upper Moreland. Pictometry, Spring 2005, Blair Mill & Welsh Rds.

57 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

Figure 30: Township Growth Areas

COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

O ELAND L MOR D BYBERRY RD AVE Y O R K HATBORO R D

S E P T A E PK T IA N VA YL NS 263 N PE n er th BLAIR MILL RD ou S ¨¦§276 lk fo or N

Willow Grove Day Camp D GDON R HUNTIN Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD Natural 611 Lands Trust

Upper Moreland High School Willow Grove Pennypack Interchange Preserve

E A S TERWOOD RD T ON D R L RD IL H E G D E Huntingdon Valley

O Country Club L D Y O R

K RD DAVISVILLE

R D

OLD 263 611 YORK RD FITZWATERTOWN RD FITZWATERTOWN

MORELAND RD

Legend Approximate Township Growth Area Powerline & Cross County Trail Systems (Proposed Linkage) Township Spur Trails (Proposed Linkage) Creeks Railroad Roads Township Owned Lands Natural Land Trust Huntington Valley Country Club Montgomery County 02,4004,8001,2 00 Fee t

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Willow Grove Summer Day Camp Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ Sewer Authority Lands (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. Pennypack Preserve MCPC Upper Moreland School District Lands

58 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER7

COURSE OF ACTION The township will not try to accommodate all of the projected residential and employment growth within it’s borders because it would be contrary to the goals of this plan. Instead, the township will work toward providing a reasonable balance between growth and preservation of open space and natural features, with a strong emphasis on protecting open space through the township’s natural resource protection ordinances during the land development process. Also, the acquisition of land and/or open space easements will be an important tool for achieving the township’s goals.

59 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS

Upper Moreland has a well-established park and recreation system that relies on township parklands and school district facilities. The previous formal evaluation of existing facilities and future concerns is found in the township’s 2000 Update of the Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Comprehensive Plan. Information from the 2000 Update was used as a basis for this open space plan chapter to reassess the township’s need for total parklands, and for specific types of parks. This chapter does not make recommendations regarding the need for specific facilities, such as the numbers of playgrounds, ballfields, and tennis courts. Instead, it provides calculated total parkland needs as a guide, and addresses the geographical relation- ships between existing facilities and the populations they are intended to serve. Also, natural resource opportunities worthy of protection as passive open space have been identified, which are not related to population or locations of recreation facilities.

Although much of the Township is built-out, there is open land that should be considered for open space preservation. Some is distributed among vacant lots, while larger areas may be found on older and underutilized industrial, institutional, and large parcels of land held in private ownership. This section provides an inventory, which is then used in relation to the Township's open space needs and goals in developing recommendations found in Chapter Nine.

As summarized below and shown in Figure 31, the land is divided into two broad categories based on land area, and general locations are mapped in Figure 32. Overall, preservation of some or all of the larger areas would have the greatest positive effect for the Township; however, smaller areas of open space that might serve as pocket parks, tot lots, or linkages between open space areas are also important.

60 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

THE SELECTION OF A tablish an acreage goal for the community. For STANDARD example, the midpoint value of the recommended range may be a good target. A 1983 guide by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Recreation, Park and Open Further, the NRPA recommends that the developed Space Standards and Guidelines, provided strate- open space consist of a core system of parkland, gies for calculating the acreage needs of municipal distributed among mini parks (such as tot lots), park systems. The 1983 guidelines suggested a mu- neighborhood parks, and community parks. Each nicipal park system include 6.25 to 10.5 acres of of these components is of a certain size, has a de- land per 1,000 people. These standards, as well as fined "service area" (for example, 1.25 to 1.5 miles), standards from Delaware Valley Regional Planning and provides for certain uses (active and/or passive). Commission (DVRPC), have been used to calculate This division of acreage has been applied to the park needs for a majority of the Open Space Plans Township to determine if a particular need exists completed in Montgomery County. The NRPA publi- now or may develop in the future. Figure 31 cation has been replaced to reflect the expanded shows the results of applying the NRPA standards. role parks and open space play in local communities. PARK TYPES The newest publication by the NRPA and the Ameri- Parks are generally classified by park and recreation can Academy for Park and Recreation Administration planning professionals according to their size, facili- titled Park, Recreation, Open Space and Green- ties, and accessibility. The three classes that apply to way Guidelines was produced in 1996. The new Upper Moreland are Parklets, Neighborhood Parks title without the word “standards” is indicative of the and Community Parks. The following listings de- shift of the role of open space. The more recent scribe the general characteristics of these types of publication shifted its philosophy to provide guid- parks. ance only, ultimately allowing the amount of park, recreation, and open space to be defined by individ- PARKLETS ual communities. The 1996 publication emphasizes • These are among the smallest of parks, ranging a systems approach to park, recreation, open space, from one-half acre (or less) to several acres. and greenway planning that focuses on local values • They serve the most localized populations, with and needs rather than strict formulas. residents’ homes within a 1/4 mile radius of the park, and with convenient pedestrian and bicy- This new systems approach looks at the level of ser- cle access for routine day-to-day use. vice provided to the users of the facilities rather than the size of the facilities based upon population. This • Types of facilities commonly found in Parklets may include but are not limited to playground method reflects, in part, the dual function of munici- equipment for preschool children; playground pal parkland: providing recreation opportunities equipment for older children, a turf play area; (passive and active) and protecting important natu- and a sitting/leisure area. A small paved court ral features. Municipal parks often contain a signifi- may be provided in larger parklets. cant amount of environmentally sensitive land that • Parklets are generally too small to contain sig- prevents much of the acreage from being utilized nificant natural features for environmental pro- for active recreation. Under these guidelines a 5- tection. acre municipal park that contains few significant • The number of Parklets needed is commonly a natural features and is fully developed may provide reflection of the number and convenience of the same level of service as a 35-acre park that pro- access of other municipal parks that can contain similar facilities. Additional parklets contain- vides recreation and also protects important wood- ing “tot-lots” are desirable in neighborhoods lands, wetlands, and other environmental ameni- with a lot of small children. ties. The difference hinges on the individual goals of the municipality and not an arbitrary per capita acreage figure.

For the purposes of this plan, however, both the low and high ratios are used to create a range for evaluating existing conditions and to perhaps es-

61 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

Figure 31: Minimum Open Space Needs

Projected 2000 2010 2025 Population 24,993 25,190 25,110 Range From To From To From To Recommended Acreage**

Community 124.5 199.2 126.0 201.6 125.5 200.8

Neighborhood 31.1 62.2 31.5 63.0 31.3 62.7 Total 155.6 261.4 157.5 264.6 156.8 263.5 Existing Acreage

Community 242.5 Neighborhood 26.4 Total 268.9 Difference

Community - 118.0 - 43.3 - 116.5 - 40.9 - 117.0 - 41.7 Neighborhood - 4.7 35.8 5.1 36.6 4.9 36.3 Total - 113.3 -7.5 -111.4 -4.3 -112.1 -5.4 Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; MCPC; NRPA * Projected Population

** Recommended Acreage - Range per 1000 persons as follows: Community Level = 5.0 - 8.0 acres; Neighborhood Level = 1.25 - 2.5 acres; Total = 6.25 - 10.5 acres.

NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS • Both active and passive recreation are desirable, and these parks may also contain signifi- • The recommended size is ten acres, although cant areas of natural features for environmental these may range between five and twenty protection. acres. • The number of Neighborhood Parks should be • They serve localized populations, with residents’ adequate to provide convenient pedestrian and homes within 1/2-mile radius of the park, and bicycle access to all neighborhoods in the com- with convenient pedestrian and bicycle access munity. for routine day-to-day use. • Their facilities should appeal to the general COMMUNITY PARKS population of the township, with some special- ized facilities, appropriate to the population of • As the largest municipal parks, these should not the neighborhood served. be less than 20 acres, with a wide diversity of recreation facilities that appeal to the interests Types of facilities commonly found in Neighbor- • of nearly all community residents. hood Parks may include playground equipment for pre-school children; playground equipment • They should serve a large segment, if not all, of for older children; a paved multipurpose court; a community’s population, preferably with that a multipurpose turf playfield (softball/soccer); a population living in a geographical area gener- sitting/leisure area; some vehicular parking ; ally defined by drawing a one and one-half to and trails. Facilities such as shuffleboard courts, two mile radius around the park. paved walkways, benches, and quiet leisure areas might best serve the needs of an older • It is desirable to have them accessible by walk- population. Basketball and volleyball courts ing and bicycling trails linked throughout sur- might be appropriate in an area of predomi- rounding residential areas, although many or nately young and middle-aged adults. most of its users will arrive by car. Good accessibility for pedestrians and bicyclists should be assured within at least a half-mile radius from

62 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

the park because Community Parks can double to serve a neighborhood-oriented recreation function of nearby residents. • Typical facilities may include playground equipment for pre-school children; playground equipment for older children; multipurpose courts; courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, and shuffleboard; an outdoor swimming facility; a family picnic area, and outdoor amphitheater, landscape areas for open or “free” play; a senior citizens sitting area; organized sports fields for baseball, softball, and soccer; outdoor classroom and nature study space; vehicular parking; lighting for select outdoor facilities; and trails for walking, jogging, bicycling, nature study, and horseback riding. • Community parks should also incorporate significant natural areas, such as woodlands, steep slopes, floodplains, and bodies of water into the park where they are available. EXISTING PARKS & FACILITIES The township’s 1969 Comprehensive Plan inventoried existing parks and recreation facilities and made recommendations regarding future expansion and acquisition of lands in other locations. Most of those recommendations were implemented. Some deficits were identified in the 2000 Update to the township’s Park, Recrea- tion, & Open Space Comprehensive Plan regarding recreation areas or facilities. These included the needs to improve pedestrian access to the parks, improve existing facilities, and install some new facilities, but did not include the need for additional parkland for active recreation.

INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS TO DETERMINE LOCALLY NEEDED OPEN SPACE The township’s population lives in neighborhoods that vary in age, housing styles, and lot sizes distributed across all areas of the township, with the most densely populated area concentrated around the Willow Grove core area. The inventory of existing public and private recreation facilities in the 2000 Update to the township’s Park, Recreation, & Open Space Comprehensive Plan shows a variety of municipal and non- municipal recreation facilities shown in Figure 31. The Update also indicates extensive participation in the township’s recreation programs.

For the purposes of this analysis, “neighborhoods” in the township are identified by the name of the existing township parks within them, whether or not they are “neighborhood parks.” The only exceptions are named as the “June Fete Grounds” and “PERT Headquarters” neighborhoods, which do not have an existing township park. Figure 33 shows the park locations and general neighborhood boundaries.

Most neighborhoods in the township are served by conveniently located municipal parklands, although some areas do not appear adequately served. The analysis in this section evaluates how well the various neighborhoods or areas of the township are served by Neighborhood Parks or Community Parks serving a neighborhood park function. The analysis of whether or not the township has sufficient parkland areas, located appropriately to best serve the township’s residents is based on a number of premises, as follows:

• Each identifiable neighborhood should be served by a Neighborhood or Community level park with convenient pedestrian and bicycle access. • Neighborhoods are generally identified by a 1/2-mile service area surrounding the park, but physical barriers, such as major roads and railroads modify neighborhood boundaries relative to park service areas by limiting safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access. • Each Neighborhood park should satisfy the general acreage and recreation facilities guidelines listed for Neighborhood parks. • Community parks can serve neighborhood park functions within a 1/2-mile service radius around the parks, and can conveniently serve Community park functions for the residents living within a 1 1/2 to 2- mile radius of the park. • Park and recreation planning professionals recommend that it is preferable for a municipality to own sufficient parklands to serve its residents, rather than rely on recreation facilities owned by others.

The following listing and analysis is arranged according to the type of park that identifies the neighborhood (parklet, neighborhood, or community):

63 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

Figure 32: Existing Public & Private Recreation Facilities

F.J. Pileggi Blair Mill Fern Village Park Pioneer Park Park Park COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD Elementary & Middle School Phila. Jr.

O Academy L D

AND MOREL Y BYBERRY RD O AVE R Boileau K R Park D HATBORO Masons Mill Dawson Manor S Park E P Park T A E PK T IA AN LV SY NN 263 PE Fair Oaks rn he Park ut

BLAIR MILL RD o S 276 lk Carson ¨¦§ fo or Simpson Farm N

RD Willow Grove Day Camp GDON HUNTIN Mill Creek June Fete Park Sewer Authority

TERWOOD RD Natural Lands Trust 611

North Willow Willow Grove Upper Moreland Pennypack Preserve Grove Park Interchange High School Buehler Park E A S D TERWOOD RD T R O L N L R I D H E G D Brooks E Whitehall War Memorial Street Park Huntingdon Valley Park Park Woodlawn Country Club O Park L D

Y O R K

R DAVISVILLE RD D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD Broughton Valley Green Park Cherry Street Park Parklet

Legend

Creeks Eastern Montgomery County Vo Tech Railroad Government & Institional Lands Roads U. Moreland Swim Club Natural Land Trust Huntington Valley Country Club Phila. Jr. Academy Willow Grove Summer Day Camp Township Owned Lands Sewer Authority Lands

Montgomery Abington Memorial Hospital Lands Pennypack Ecological District County 0 1,200 2,400 4,800Feet

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission Carson-Simpson Farm Little League Fields PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessm ent Appeals, with no verific ation Hatboro-Horsham School District Upper Moreland School District Lands from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC

64 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

LIST AND ANALYSIS OF UPPER MORELAND’S EXISTING PARKS AND FACILITIES Mill Creek Park

• Open Space: 7.8 acres • Location: Between Blair Mill Road and Bonnet Lane, Hatboro • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Mill Road & Bonnet Lane • Needs: Implementation of the Park Master Plan • Comments: 1. Properties were purchased with Federal Grants through a buy out program for flooded areas.

2. A Master Plan was adopted in the summer Mill Road Park Picnic Area of 2005.

3. Houses were demolished in 2002/2003.

Brooks Street Neighborhood Park

• Open Space: 0.4 acres containing playground and park benches • Location: Brooks Street, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Raab Street & Marion Road, between York & Easton Rds. • Needs: None noted at this time. • Comments: 1. Identified as highest priority acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. Park includes modular play equipment including slides (1999), climbers with chipped rubber safety surfacing. Split rail fencing, and benches. The park also includes two dedica- tions, signage and a bench.

3. The parklet serves a small densely developed neighbor- Brook Street Park, Tot Lot hood surrounded by residential development with roads and heavy traffic.

4. The neighborhood was identified as lacking a park in the 1996 Plan.

5. The property was purchased through condemnation and purchased with a county grant.

Hankin Tract Community Park

• Open Space: 10.0 acres of heavily wooded area • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off of Mineral Avenue along the railroad tracks between Davis ville & York Roads.

65 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Comments: 1. Identified as low priority acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. Purchased with county assistance.

3. Incorporated as part of War Memorial Park.

4. A master plan was developed in 2002 and Phase One is currently under construction.

5. Access is limited to the downtown core of Willow Grove.

Lancaster & Warminster Road Open Space

• Open Space: 1.4 acres of open space • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located at the intersection of Lancaster & Warminster Roads, between Byberry & York Roads. • Comments: 1. Properties were purchased with Federal Grants through a buy out program for flooded areas.

2. Houses were demolished in 2002/2003.

Nathaniel Boileau Park & the Boileau Homestead Community Park

• Open Space: 11.0 acres with four historic structures, one soccer /lacrosse field. • Location: 2668 Byberry Road, at the intersection of Byberry & Orangeman’s Road, Hatboro. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located at the intersection of Orangeman’s & Byberry Roads and sur rounded by Meyer, Kentner, and Round Meadows Roads. • Needs: Implementation of the approved Master Plan. • Comments: 1. Identified as a medium priority for acquisition in the 1996 plan.

2. A park Master Plan was developed in 2003 and adopted in the winter of 2004 and calls for the revitalization of the four historic structures, walking trails, a full size soccer field, parking improvements, picnic pavilion, rest rooms, open play areas, a wetland nature boardwalk with interpretive signage, and outdoor teach- ing terraced area, play equipment, benches, and landscaping.

3. The property was purchased outright by Upper Moreland Township. Boileau Homestead Community Park, Pictometry 2005

66 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

4. Four historic structures are located on the site.

5. Access is limited off of Byberry Road.

Raytharn Farm Community Open Space

• Open Space: 60.0 acres (in Upper Moreland) • Ownership: Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust • Neighborhood Boundaries: Terwood Road. • Comments: 1. Identified as highest priority for acquisition in the 1996 plan.

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, Pictometry 2005

2. Purchased with county assistance.

3. Remains open with new grasses planted.

Other Small Open Space Parcels

The township also purchased several small (less than 1/4 acre) of properties in various locations throughout the township as a result of periodic flooding.

The following improvements were made to the existing Upper Moreland park inventory as listed in the 1996 Plan.

Blair Mill Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 1.0 acre with new play equipment and wooded turf area. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township, located in Horsham Township • Location: Blair Mill Road, near County Line Road Blair Mill Neighborhood Park Playground

67 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Neighborhood Boundaries: Westmoreland Avenue & Blair Mill Road, County Line,& Old York Roads. • Needs: A small covered picnic pavilion. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment including slides (1997), tunnels, ground zero balance beams, climbers and wood carpet safety surface. Split rail fencing, wooded turf area, benches, and parking.

2. Extensive tree work has been completed since 2000.

Broughton Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 0.5 acre with playground, small open turf. • Location: 107 Barrett Road, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Barrett Road between Easton & Moreland Roads. • Needs: Replacement of perimeter fencing. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment including, tunnels (2003), slides, swing set, tire swing, and wood carpet safety surfacing. Small open turf area, benches, and perimeter fencing.

2. A tornado struck the park in 1999, damaging several trees, new trees were Broughton Neighborhood Park Playground plated at that time.

Buehler Park Nature Study Area & Parks Main- tenance Shop

• Community Park: 7.0 acre with a Na- ture Trail, benches, and home to the Park Maintenance Divi sion. • Location: 627 Fitzwatertown Road, Willow Grove • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Fitzwater- town Road between Easton & York Roads. • Needs: Definition of the walking pathway, interpretive signage, drainage work along pathway. • Comments: 1. Natural trail with stations, bulletin board, trail bridges, bird feeding stations, and parking areas.

2. Added two bays for our Parks Maintenance Division. Buehler Park Nature Study

68 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

Cherry Street Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 0.5 acre with new play equipment and wooded turf area. • Location: 24 Cherry Street, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located on Cherry Street between Moreland & York Roads. • Needs: Shade trees, replacement of perimeter fence. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment including climbers (2003), and slides, swings, wood carpet safety surfacing, small basketball court, perimeter fencing, and benches.

2. New fence installed in 2002.

Dawson Manor Neighborhood Park

• Parklet: 1.0 acre with playground and open area. • Location: 3630 Lukens Lane, Hatboro. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Lukens Road between Warminster & Byberry Roads. • Needs: Limited parking area. • Comments:

Dawson Manor Park, Pictomerty 1. Modular play equipment (2001), spring animals, chipped rubber safety surfacing half court basketball, benches, emergency access, and sidewalk.

2. New swings to be installed in 2004.

Fair Oaks Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 6.0 acre with play equipment, multipurpose field, courts, walking trail, and wooded area. • Location: 2300 Skrobul Road, Hatboro • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Skrobul Road near Horsham, & Blair Mill Roads. Fair Oaks Neighborhood Park

69 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Masons Mill Road near Byberry and Huntingdon Roads. • Needs: Additional parking for 30+ vehicles, restrooms in lower end of park to allow access from football and baseball games, define and woodchip walking pathway through the “Hobensac” sec tion, repaving of the existing parking lot, upgrade safety surfacing under the pirate ship play equip ment, softball field fencing, light the second softball field and improvements to field 1 lighting, additional volleyball and basketball courts. • Comments: 1. Restructured Safety Town to be a miniature replica of Upper Moreland Township .

2. Lighted the baseball/football field.

3. Added a new snack stand/storage building for the youth football program.

4. Added new maintenance barn.

5. Installed concrete under each picnic pavilion.

6. Added an aerator to the fishing pond.

7. Repaved tennis/basketball/volleyball courts in 1996.

8. Repaved office plaza area in 2003.

9. Completed a landscaping revitalization project in 1998.

Mill Road Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 7.0 acre with play equipment, grills, picnic tables, basketball court, open turf areas, and a creek. • Location: 3530 Mill Road, Hatboro • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located on Mill Road near the Turnpike, Hatboro Avenue & Newington Drive. • Needs: Play equipment access is limited due to crossing of Mill Road. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment (1999) with wood carpet safety surfacing, swing set, basketball court, picnic tables, wooded areas, creek ford, grills, open turf area, and parking .

2. Repaved basketball courts in 2001.

North Willow Grove Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 3.0 acre with play equipment, and a multipurpose ball field. • Location: 1391 Linden Avenue, Willow Grove • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Carroll Road near Blair Mill Road. • Needs: None noted at this time. • Comments: 1. Abington Hospital rescinded their three acre lease with the township, thus the park is now three total acres.

2. Modular play equipment (1998) with wood carpet safety surfacing, swing set, softball field with backstop, player benches, paved parking area and perimeter fencing.

70 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

3. Skinned the softball infield in 1999.

4. Installed an outfield fence (left and center field) in 2003.

5. Home field for Upper Moreland Boy’s Lacrosse Club.

6. Limited access to park off Carroll Lane.

Frank J. Pileggi Community Park

• Community Park: 53.0 acres with two soccer fields (one lighted) two sets of play equipment, snack/ office/restroom building, one and half basketball courts with volleyball sleeve inserts, walking trail, and two parking areas. • Location: 4255 Shoemaker Road, Huntingdon Valley. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Shoemaker Road between Pioneer and County Line Roads. • Needs: Refine walking pathway, replacement of dozens of bollards. • Comments: 1. (1) 195’ x 300’ soccer field, 91) irrigated 225’ x 330’ lighted field with scoreboard, (2) modular play equipment areas (2005 & 1997) with wood carpet safety surfacing, lighted multi-purpose court with (3) basketball goals, benches, bleachers, (2) lighted parking areas, walking path, restroom/storage building, multipurpose meeting building, (2) drinking fountains, perimeter fencing, and extensive landscape areas.

2. Currently constructing a new building at the location that will house the soccer club meeting, registrations as well as be used by the Department for classroom instruction. It will also have a small office and restroom.

Terwood Community Park

• Community Park: 5.5 acres with a parking lot and multipurpose field. • Location: 3100 Davisville Road, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Leased from Sewer Authority. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Davisville Road near the intersection of Davisville Road. • Needs: None noted at this time. • Comments: 1. Softball field with backstop and player benches, and parking areas.

2. Installed new backstop in 1997.

3. Repaved the parking lot in 2000.

4. Cut out to make full dirt infield in 1998.

Valley Green Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 1.0 acres with play equipment. • Location: 3403 Moreland Road, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Moreland Road near the intersection of Fitzwatertown Road. • Needs: Drainage work around play equipment, tree removal and replacement.

71 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Needs: Playground replacement. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment (1995), wood carpet safety surfacing, swing set, climber, basketball and volleyball courts, youth roller hockey rink, softball field with overlapping soccer field, (.39 mi.) paved perimeter walking trail, open turf and wooded areas, benches and parking area.

2. New paved walking trail installed in 2002.

Fern Village Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 5.0 acre with basketball court, play equipment, two 60’ baseball fields, and o pen space. • Location: 614 High Ave- nue, Hatboro. • Ownership: Upper More- land Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off High Avenue between County Line Road & By- berry Road. • Needs: Limited parking area, removal of the whirl. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment (2001) with chipped Fern Village Neighborhood Park-Playground rubber safety surfacing, 2 softball fields with backstops, basketball & open courts, whirl, swing set, benches, & perimeter fencing.

2. Repaved basketball courts in 2001.

3. Replaced fencing on backstops in 2001.

4. Cut out infields on both baseball fields in 2001.

Masons Mill Community Park

• Community Park: 76.0 acres with one lighted volleyball court, one grass volleyball court, one l ighted basketball court, several tennis courts (five lighted), two softball fields (one lighted), one l ighted hardball 90 foot baseball field, one lighted football field (duel use on baseball outfield), catch and release fishing pond with aerator, three picnic pavilions, one concert gazebo, walking trail with fitness equipment, miniature kids big- wheel driving town, three playground areas, horseshoe pits, archery range, restrooms and office building. • Location: 3500 Masons Mill Road, Hun- tingdon Valley Masons Mill Community Park, Pictometry 2005.

72 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

Figure 33: Park Locations & General Boundaries of the Neighborhoods

Pioneer Woods F.J. Pileggi Blair Mill Fern Village Park Park Park Park COUNTY LINE RD RD

P IO N JACKSONVILLE EE R RD WARMINSTER RD

O L D BYBERRY RD

AND MOREL YO

AVE R Boileau K R Park D HATBORO Masons Mill Dawson Manor S Park E P Park T A E PK T IA AN LV Fair Oaks SY NN 263 PE Park rn he ut

BLAIR MILL RD o S 276 lk ¨¦§ fo or N

RD GDON HUNTIN Mill Creek Park

TERWOOD RD 611 Pennypack North Willow Preserve Willow Grove War Memorial Grove Park Interchange Park Buehler Park E A TERWOOD RD S D T R O L N L R I D H E G D E Whitehall Brooks Street Park Park Woodlawn O Park L D

Y O R K

R RD DAVISVILLE D OLD YORK RD

611 263

FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD Broughton Valley Green Park Cherry Street Park Parklet Legend

Creeks Railroad Roads

Township Owned Lands Montgomery County 01,200 2,4 00 4,800 Fe et

Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission Park Locations & General Boundaries PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled of the Neighborhoods from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC

73 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Comments: 1. Modular play equipment (1996) with wood carpet safety surfacing, swing set, benches, sidewalks, and wooded area.

War Memorial Community Park

• Community Park: 24.0 acres—a Master Park Improvement Plan was adopted by the Township in 2002. Phase 1 includes the installation of a Roller Hockey Rink which is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2004. • Location: 220 Mineral Avenue, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Mineral Avenue along the railroad tracks between Davisville & York Roads. • Needs: Continue to implement the approved Master Plan. Adequate, safe and multiple park entrances along Davisville Road to service residents, pedestrians, and cyclists entering the Park. • Comments: 1. (1) lighted adult size roller hockey rink with dasher boards, players benched, scorers table, Modular play equipment (1996) with wood carpet safety surfacing, (2) lighted basketball/ volleyball courts, (2) shuffleboard courts, restroom building with storage, benches, open play field, picnic tables, perimeter walking track (.33 mi.) 10 acre wooded area, monu- ment to War Veterans, and paved parking lots.

2. The township purchased an additional 11 acres, know then as the Hankin Tract, with county funding.

3. The addition was identified in the 1996 plan as desirable open space preservation.

4. A Master Plan was adopted in 2002.

5. Difficult to find and enter. The down- War Memorial Community Park, Pictometry 2005. town redevelopment may change the entrance via a roadway from York Road into the park.

6. Access is limited. Areas for the most ideal access points along Davisville Road are essential for creating alternative entrances to the Park.

7. This park has the potential of being the most widely utilized park in Upper Moreland Township due to its’ location within the redevelopment area, and close proximity to the train station.

74 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

new “gateway” for War Memorial Community Park. This project will be a key feature in the overall redevelopment and revitalization of downtown Willow Grove.

Whitehall Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 4.0 acre with play equipment, small basketball court, open space turf field. • Location: 2 Hideaway Drive, Willow Grove. • Owner- ship: Upper Moreland Township.

Whitehall Neighborhood Park-Playground

• Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Hide-a-way Drive at the intersection of Whitehall Road be tween Easton & Moreland Roads. • Needs: New play equipment. • Comments: 1. Modular play equipment (1994) with wood carpet safety surfacing, swing set, small basketball court, benches, and open play field.

Woodlawn Community Park

• Community Park: 6.0 acres including two sets of play equipment, a baseball field with soccer field overlay, two tennis courts, walking trail, two four square courts, three basketball courts and a volley ball court.. • Location: 601 Division Avenue, Willow Grove. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township. • Neighborhood Bounda- ries: Located on Division Avenue. • Needs: Addition of a small pavilion to neighborhood picnics. Woodland Community Park, Pictometry

75 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

• Comments: 1. (2) age appropriate modular play equipment units (2002) with wood carpet safety surfacing, (2) tennis courts, (3) basketball courts (1 lighted), volleyball court, baseball field with overlapping soccer field, benches, perimeter walking path (.34 mi.), perimeter fencing, sidewalk, and foursquare courts.

2. The township purchased the property in 1996 with a county grant.

3. This was a target of the 1996 plan.

4. Two sets of new play equipment installed in 2002 (one for ages 5-12 and one for ages 2- 12).

5. Repaved the tennis courts in 2002.

The following items were lost since the 1996 Open Space Plan.

North Willow Grove Neighborhood Park

• Neighborhood Park: 3.0 acres with play equipment and a multipurpose ballfield. • Ownership: Upper Moreland Township • Neighborhood Boundaries: Located off Carroll Road near Blair Mill Road. • Comments: 1. Abington Hospital did not renew the lease with the township and they have since constructed a roadway for their building complex.

2. The township still maintains a 3- acre park at this location.

DETERMINING TOTAL OPEN SPACE NEEDS Figure 31 summarizes the results of applying the standards to Upper Moreland and compares the results to the supply of existing Township facilities. North Willow Grove Neighborhood Park The Township has numerous community and neighborhood level parks that are generally well located to serve residents' needs (see service areas in Figure 33) and provide enough acreage to meet current and future minimum acreage standards. Although more directly helping the Township meet its community-wide needs, proposed open space will also serve neighborhoods, helping to address the unserved/underserved areas of the Township.

In regard to the land areas devoted to the various types of parks as recommended by parks and recreation planning professionals, the township should have approximately 56 percent of its parkland in community parks, and the remaining 44 percent as neighborhood parks. From the inventory listed above in Figure 31, the guidelines recommend approximately 200 acres of community parks and 62 acres of neighborhood parks, while the township has 242 acres and 26 acres, respectively.

The Township should consider further objectives relating to the future needs with the park system. These needs include development of new facilities, acquisitions of land, and parkland improvements. Specifically, these needs are listed within the Inventory of “Upper Moreland’s Existing Parks and Facilities” section on pages 62-69.

76 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 8

PARK AND RECREATION GOALS IN THE 2000 UPDATE The township’s 2000 Update to its Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan listed a variety of goals which are summarized in this section. Properties included in this list are shown in Figure 34. This open space plan supports the 2000 Update’s intent regarding these goals. Those shown in italics are within the parameters of the open space plan and are intended to be implemented, as described in Chapter 10 and 12, of this plan.

77 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 9 EVALUATION OF COUNTY AND ABUTTING MUNICIPAL PLANS

The preceding chapters investigate the resources, needs, and opportunities that exist within the municipal bounds of Upper Moreland Township. With this information, recommendations can be made to effectively serve the residents of Upper Moreland. However, the land use decisions that the Township makes affect the larger region just as decisions made in neighboring municipalities affect Upper Moreland. There- fore, this open space planning effort should not be performed in the vacuum of the municipal borders, but consider surrounding planning efforts.

This chapter compares the recommendations of this plan with those in the County comprehensive plan and the comprehensive, open space, and revitalization plans of abutting boroughs/townships/counties. The intent is to prevent conflicts between plans and to encourage collaboration of efforts. By gaining an understanding of how Upper Moreland's plan will fit into the larger open space and trail linkage picture, partners can optimize both the quantity and quality of future open space preservation and management.

COMPARISON TO Within this plan is the Vision of the County in MONTGOMERY COUNTY 2025. This Vision sets up four issues as the high- LAND USE PLAN AND est priority for action: OPEN SPACE PLAN • Controlling sprawl In 2001, Montgomery County began updating its • Controlling traffic congestion Comprehensive Plan. Although not yet complete, • Preserving open space/natural areas this plan will help guide the growth of housing, transportation, economic development, and natu- • Revitalizing older boroughs and townships ral & cultural resource management through 2025 and beyond. Each of these factors could Upper Moreland’s Open Space Plan addresses all potentially affect open space needs and opportu- of these issues by setting a future course for wise nities in Upper Moreland. land use, increasing linkages and accessibility, clustering and diversifying growth, and preserving open space.

78 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 9

The draft version of the Comprehensive Plan lists 48 TRANSPORTATION goals that describe and expand upon the Vision of • Manage Traffic Congestion the County in 2025. Several of these goals parallel • Improve Transportation Safety those in this Open Space Plan, adding strength to the recommendations set forth here. • Increase Opportunities to Take Public Transit, Walk, Ride a Bike, or Other Nonautomotive Transportation Means CHAPTER 4 OF VISION PLAN • Move Goods Efficiently and Considerately • Guiding Vision • Maintain Air Travel as a Transportation Option • Support Smart Growth and Preservation • Community Facilities and Utilities Efforts both Regionally and Locally • Focus Public Sewer and Water Improvements • Work Together to Identify and Resolve in Designated Growth Areas Problems and Concerns • Restrict the Extension of Water and Sewer • Implement Plans Effectively and into Rural Resource Areas Cooperatively • Provide Environmentally-Safe Sewer Facilities • Identify and Address Problems at the Most Appropriate Level - Local, Regional, • Provide Adequate Energy and Watershed, etc. Communication Utilities with as Minimal a Negative Impact as Possible LAND USE • Provide Appropriate Solid Waste Disposal that • Direct Development to Designated Growth has a Minimal Negative Impact Areas • Provide High-Quality Emergency Services and • Enhance Older Developed Areas Health Facilities • Integrate Educational and Cultural Facilities • Preserve Rural Resource Areas into Communities • Encourage Sound Land Use Planning and Design WATER RESOURCES • Ensure Compatible Development in • Provide an Adequate Supply of Water for Residential Neighborhoods Both Consumption and Natural Habitats • Preserve and Create Community Identity and • Protect Water Quality a Sense of Place • Effectively Manage Flooding OPEN SPACE, NATURAL FEATURES, • Create Attractive Stormwater Facilities that AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Control Flooding, Recharge Groundwater, • Preserve Large Interconnected Areas of and Improve Water Quality Significant Open Space ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • Protect and Manage Wetlands, Streams, Steep Slopes, Woodlands, and Natural • Maintain the County's Diverse Economy Habitats • Attract and Retain Business by Maintaining a • Create a Greenway System along Rivers, High Quality of Life Creeks, and Other Sensitive Natural and Historic Features • Create a Good Business Climate • Develop a Countywide Network of • Retain a Skilled Workforce for County Interconnected Trails Businesses • Provide Park Facilities to Meet the Public's • Support a Readily Available Workforce Recreation Needs • Revitalize the County's Downtowns and Main • Preserve Farmland and Farming Streets • Protect Scenic Roads, Vistas, and Viewsheds • Adaptively Reuse Vacant and Underutilized Industrial Sites • Protect Historic Resources and Cultural Landscapes • Redevelop Vacant and Underutilized Shopping Centers

79 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 9

HOUSING from decisions regarding open space and environ- • Provide Enough Homes to Meet Future mental protection planning and implementation. Housing Demand • Encourage a Variety of Housing to Meet the The Upper Moreland Open Space Plan is compati- Needs of People with Different Ages, ble with the planning of the various neighboring Incomes, and Lifestyles communities, and provides opportunities for inter- • Maintain and Conserve Existing Homes and connections and multi-municipal benefits in the Neighborhoods Pennypack Creek watershed. Aspects of each municipality’s open space and or comprehensive • Promote Walkable and Well-Designed Residential Developments planning are explained below. • Encourage More Units of Affordable Housing Based on the Montgomery County Open Space for County Residents Program requirements in 1993, these • Support Housing for People with Special municipalities, (except Warminster and Upper Needs Southampton in Bucks County), developed an Open Space Plan in the early to mid 1990s. In the The County also has a trail strategy that identifies past ten years since the last update of open space potential trail corridors. The Power Line Trail and plans, parcels have been preserved, trails the Cross County Trail running along the Conrail proposed and developed, and the needs of the Railway corridor would pass directly through Up- community have changed. It is therefore vital that per Moreland. This proposed alignment increases Upper Moreland keep abreast of the continually the usability of the trail and the township parks. evolving planning efforts of its neighbors and the county. RELATION TO PLANS OF ABUTTING BOROUGH OF HATBORO The Borough of Hatboro is in the process of draft- MUNICIPALITIES ing their open space plan. Presently, the Borough Upper Moreland is surrounded by Lower More- has drafted several maps which have detailed land, Horsham, Upper Dublin and Abington proposed trails that coordinate with Upper More- Townships and Hatboro, and Bryn Athyn Bor- land’s proposed trail system as well as the pro- oughs in Montgomery County, and Warminster posed trail system for Montgomery County. Hat- and Upper Southhampton Townships in Bucks boro’s Comprehensive Plan recommended preser- County. The Borough of Hatboro is almost com- vation and protection of environmentally sensitive pletely surrounded by Upper Moreland, and the areas along the Pennypack Creek and retention of northwest end of the Borough of Bryn Athyn ex- existing recreation areas, primarily at school sites. tends into Upper Moreland along the Pennypack It also advocated additions to park and recreation Creek. The Pennypack Creek is the common facilities in the borough. thread that ties all of these communities together. Upper Dublin is least affected because it contains New park and recreation facilities within the bor- relatively little land area in the Pennypack Water- ough would not conflict with Upper Moreland’s shed, however the land un Upper Dublin is at the Open Space Plan. Use of the Pennypack stream headwaters of the creek or some of its tributaries. corridor as a greenway is consistent with Upper Moreland’s plan and would contribute toward These municipalities are also interrelated by their eventually protecting a greenway along the entire locations, road network, land uses, natural fea- creek corridor from Horsham Township through tures, and, in some cases, shared utility systems. Upper Moreland to Bryn Athyn. It still appears For example, Willow Grove is a major center of possible to make greenway connections along the commerce and transportation, that is divided by Pennypack Creek adjacent to the Hatboro Ceme- municipal boundaries. In addition, these commu- tery, past the Pennypack Elementary School, and nities are developed to the extent that many deci- through open space in the Blair Mill Village Apart- sions made by any one of then will have little no- ments to Blair Mill Road and up a tributary at least ticeable direct impact on the others. However, as far as the J.T. Eaton and Hatboro Memorial direct positive and negative impacts can result Parks within the borough.

80 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 9

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP • A greenway along Southampton Creek would Horsham Township is in the process of finalizing run parallel to the Newtown rail corridor, their open space and environmental resource where links with Lower Moreland could be made. protection plan. However, in 2003, the township adopted a recreation and open space plan which • The most dramatic link would be along the identified many of the same things required of Pennypack Creek, through the Pennypack Pre- serve. This linkage is proposed to connect to plans under the county’s open space program. the Cross County Trail very close to the border That plan included greater detail regarding rele- of Bryn Athyn and Lower Moreland along the vant open space and recreation recommenda- Pennypack Creek. tions. Among the possibilities that could be • A greenway through the eastern edge of the achieved through coordination are the following: Huntingdon Valley County Club, in the wooded area near Terwood Road that could • If a greenway is protected and preserved connect from neighborhoods on both sides of along the Pennypack Creek in Hatboro and Terwood Road to the Pennypack Creek along Upper Moreland to Blair Mill Road, then it the stream corridor that leads from the country could be extended in Horsham to include the club. 3.8 acres of Horsham’s Blair Mill and Pem- mapecka Parks. From there it could ultimately BRYN ATHYN BOROUGH be interconnected within conservation open space on public linkages along the Pennypack Bryn Athyn secured a contract for its open space Creek to other open space linkages and facili- plan in June, 2005. The borough advocates major ties throughout Horsham Township. efforts for protection and preservation of natural • The Pennypack Creek greenway could ex- features, which generally center around the Penny- tend, along the creek and with linkages on pack Creek corridor. Most of the borough’s lands local streets, to the PECO Energy transmission abutting Upper Moreland are shown on the bor- line that runs across the township from Mont- gomery to Upper Moreland Township (the ough’s Land Use Plan as a Natural Preservation Area Powerline Trail). In Upper Moreland, that trail with stream edge preservation along the Pennypack corridor has been proposed to continue Creek. Currently, there are 257 acres of land in the along Commerce Drive to the Turnpike and borough owned by the Pennypack Ecological Reso- beyond, where it would connect with the proposed Cross-County Trail along the Con- lution Trust (PERT) as part of the Pennypack Pre- rail/Turnpike corridor (please refer to Chapter serve. These lands connect with PERT’s 147 acres in 5, Open Space Linkages). Upper Moreland and 294 acres in Lower Moreland • Along a tributary to the northeast, a combina- for a total open space , linear linkage area of over tion of greenway and street connections 363 acres. From the southern end of Bryn Athyn, could lead to lands of the Blair Mill Elementary near Fetter’s Mill Road, a link through Lower More- School and Clearbrook Park. From there, land would complete the greenway to the county’s other trail connections are proposed through- Lorimer Park and Philadelphia’s Pennypack Valley out adjoining neighborhoods. Park.

According to the resident survey done for Hor- sham’s park and recreation study, the highest pri- ABINGTON TOWNSHIP ority and expected use rankings were given to Abington has completed a draft open space and hiking, walking, and bicycling trails. environmental resource protection plan. Abington has proposed linkages along a number of streets in LOWER MORELAND TOWNSHIP the Willow Grove area that could be linked to similar street-routed trails in Upper Moreland. In addi- As of June 2005, Lower Moreland’s plan is more tion, the Huntingdon Valley Country Club extends than half done. The draft plan identifies five possi- into Abington from Upper Moreland. There may be ble open space connections between Upper and a way to create a trail along one edge of the golf Lower Moreland, as follows: course for open space linkage that does not intrude • The Cross-County Trail along the Conrail corri- upon the golf course. dor would cross the northernmost edge of Lower Moreland to reach County Line Road. • The Newtown Greenway would run along the suspended Newtown rail corridor, which is also the township boundary in that area.

81 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 9

WARMINSTER & UPPER SOUTHHAMPTON TOWNSHIPS Communities in Bucks County are not eligible for Montgomery County’s open space program. There- fore, their planning for open space, recreation, and environmental resource protection may not be as extensive or as high a priority as it may be for Mont- gomery County communities. However, several opportunities are available for open space along the Newtown Greenway, the Southhampton Creek Greenway, and the Warminster rail line corridor and two stream corridors through Hatboro. Upper Moreland Township will continue to communicate with adjacent communities within Bucks County on any possible projects along the above referenced greenways and corridors.

82 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS: PROJECTS, PROGRAMS & POLICIES

After completing a community profile, establishing goals and objectives, analyzing existing protected land and potentially vulnerable resources, considering opportunities to link open space, evaluating growth areas, examining open space and recreation needs, and examining the open space plans of abutting municipalities, the Upper Moreland Open Space Planning Committee has developed a set of recommendations to guide future acquisition, development, and coordination of open space in the Town ship. This chapter discusses goal-related recommendations for projects, programs, and policies, as well as special options available through the Green Fields/Green Town program. Upper Moreland has excellent parks and recreation programs, and a variety of natural, scenic, and cultural resources. However, much of the township has become dominated by suburban development. The best remaining natural resources are located on lands owned by the township in its parks, or by several private recreation developments, the

Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust (PERT), recreation purposes especially as greenways, ac- and private homeowners in the woodlands in the tive recreation as township parks and other local area of Huntingdon and Terwood Roads. This recreation areas, and scenic character. The inven- open space plan recommends preservation and tories and analysis in the previous chapters have protection of these remaining resources for a vari- led to the following recommendations regarding ety of open space purpose including environ- which resources to protect and how to protect mental resource protection purposes alone, a them. combination of environmental protection and

83 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

Figure 34: Proposed Open Space Preservation Map by Priority

#12 COUNTY LINE RD RD

PI ON EE JACKSONVILLE R RD

WARMINSTER RD Elementary & Middle School

O L D #3 ND MORELA Y O BYBERRY RD AVE R K

R D HATBORO S E P T A #6

E PK T IA #7 N 263 VA YL S rn BLAIR MILL RD MILL BLAIR N e #4 EN th ¦¨§276 P ou S lk fo or N #14 #2 #1

Willow Grove Day Camp D GDON R #5 HUNTIN Sewer Authority #8 TERWOOD RD 611

Willow Grove Upper Moreland Interchange High School Pennypack Preserve #11 E AS T TERWOOD RD O D #13 N R R L D IL H E G D #10 E Huntingdon Valley #9 Country Club O L D

Y O R K

RD DAVISVILLE R D OLD YORK RD

611 263 FITZWATERTOWN RD MORELAND RD

2005 Inventory of Priority Parcels: (Numbers are not based on priority) Creeks Pennypack Ecological District #1: Partial acquisition/easement, Creek Road #2: 1370 Creek Road Railroad Little League Fields #3: 1845 Byberry Road #12: Ramsey Tract Roads Upper Moreland School District Lands #4: The Lords New Church #13: Frazer ’ s Bog #5: 2405 Huntingdon Road Possible 2005 Open Space Aquisitions U. Moreland Swim Club #6: Extension of Dawson's Manor Park #14: Independent Bible Church of Parcels identified for partial acquistion/easements #7: 425 S. Warminster Road Huntingdon Valley Country Club Willow Grove #8: Sam's Club tract Township Owned Lands Willow Grove Summer Day Camp #9: Fairhill Properties #10: Buehler Nature Park Extension Gov Owned Lands Sewer Authority Lands #11: Peco Property

Montgomery County 0 1, 2 0 0 2,400 4, 8 0 0 Feet Planning Base map prepared July 2004 Commission Montgomery County Courthouse - Planning Commission PO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311 ¯ (p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941 www.montcopa.org/plancom This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiled from individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verification from the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes. MCPC

84 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

Figure 34a: Proposed Open Space Preservation by Priority ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Priority Name Map ID Protection is needed along the Pennypack Creek Number from corridor and its tributaries. It is also needed where Figure 34 remaining woodlands and steep slopes are not located in stream corridors. Some protection will occur through acquisition of lands or easements, and High Pioneer Woods Park (8.37 12 acre site bounded by Pioneer some will occur through regulatory methods, as and explained further in this chapter. In Chapter Four Gibson Roads. vulnerable environmental resources have been identified. The natural and cultural resources identified Access to War Memorial Park Multiple in previous chapters will be protected to the greatest via Davisville Road locations from Terwood Rd to extent possible, using the most appropriate meth- Easton Rd ods. The township will also encourage owners of developed properties to participate in open space preservation by allowing underutilized parts of their Extension of Dawson’s Manor 6 properties to form a part of a continuous greenway Park connection, with the possibility of providing both a 1370 Creek Road (Cardone 2 multi-purpose trail-way and riparian corridor protec- Tract) tion. Partial Acquisition/Easement: 1 Creek Road TOWNSHIP PARKS & RECREATION Buehler Nature Park Expan- 10 The township will continue to utilize its parks and sion the Upper Moreland School District facilities for its Medium 7th Day Adventist 3 recreation programs throughout the township. In addition, this plan recommends acquisition of addi- The Lords New Church 4 tional lands for township parks in areas identified as Fairhill Properties 9 underserved. It further recommends completion of a “greenway” linear park along the Pennypack Fraiser’s Bog 13 Creek, with other open space linkages along tribu- Low 2405 Huntingdon Road 5 tary corridors or road corridors, with a system of pedestrian/bicycle routes. Peco Tract 11 In Chapter Eight, park and open space needs are 425 S. Warminster Road 7 identified, and in Chapter Five, Open Space Link- ages are proposed. These are compatible with, and Sam’s Club 8 supplement the township’s 2000 Update of its Parks Independent Bible Church of 14 and Recreation Comprehensive Plan. Willow Grove LANDS & RESOURCES TO CULTURAL RESOURCES BE PROTECTED Cultural Resources include very old homes, churches, and other buildings, that may not be des- Natural resources in the township are primarily ignated as historical, but which are important in concentrated in stream corridors, and there are establishing the township’s character. The older extensive woodlands in the area of Huntingdon residential neighborhoods in the Willow Grove area and Terwood Roads, where residential develop- are examples of cultural resources that may not re- ment is generally built on larger lots. Cultural receive “iron-clad” protection as a result of this open sources and recreation facilities are scattered in space plan. However, the township recently various areas. adopted an Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning District that will provide and make available an extra level of possible protection for historic and cultural resources. The township’s cultural resources will also benefit from the parks and linkages recommen-

85 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10 dations, and indirectly from regulatory measures to promote planting native landscaping species intended to protect the natural and developed envi- throughout floodplain areas, in order to better ronments. An inventory of the township’s oldest control the damage of flood events. The town- properties is found in Chapter Four, and extensive ship will also review the various zoning districts in information about the township’s older neighbor- order to determine if more flexible standards are hoods is found within the township’s comprehen- appropriate when siting structures on lots in order sive plan. to protect as many natural features as possible before construction. SPECIFIC The township will also target specific areas RECOMMENDATIONS throughout the township which frequently are NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION inundated with flood waters. These areas will REGULATIONS then be targeted for conversion back to a natural RIPARIAN BUFFERS/STREAM CORRIDOR setting, which will help control and protect other PROTECTION properties throughout the township, as well as The township will draft appropriate regulations to provide passive recreation opportunities and protect stream corridors using riparian buffers. The green spaces for the residents of the township. township currently has a Floodplain Conservation One example of reverting residential lands back to District, as well as a Steep Slope Conservation Dis- a natural state after several flooding incidents is trict, although these overlay zoning districts do not specially treat the unique problems associated with riparian buffers and stream corridor protection. Adoption of riparian buffer regulations as an overlay zoning district is the highest priority of regulatory measures Mill Road Floodplain Restoration Area intended to protect water quality and other stream corridor natural features. These regulations will along Mill Road. The township along with Federal govern the Pennypack Creek corridor and its tribu- funds purchased approximately 21 properties, taries’ corridors. Supplementary ordinance amend- which were demolished. ments to various existing regulations will be added to the subdivision and land development ordinance as appropriate. WETLANDS The township will review the existing wetlands FLOODPLAINS subdivision and land development ordinance regulations to determine how well they protect The township will review the existing Floodplain the township’s wetland soils, and what might be Conservation District Overlay Zoning regulations to done to improve their protective function. determine how well they achieve floodplain protection, and what might be done to improve their pro- Amendments will be proposed to the zoning and tective function, and whether or not they may be subdivision and land development ordinance to difficult to understand or cumbersome to administer improve these regulations, if the review deter- and enforce. mines they are needed.

Amendments will be proposed to the zoning ordi- • Exclude 100-year floodplains and wetlands nance and subdivision and land development ordi- from minimum lot area calculations so that nance to improve these regulations, if the review each lot will ample usable area and owners will be less tempted to interfere with flood- determines they are needed. Amendments shall plains and wetlands. also be made to the landscape regulations in order • Require developers to disclose floodplains and

86 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

wetlands limits and regulations on plans and written documents to home owners. • Require replacement of native wetland species when it is destroyed.

STEEP SLOPES The township will review the existing Steep Slope Conservation Overlay District Zoning regulations to determine how well they protect the township’s steep slopes, and what might be done to improve their protective function.

Amendments will be proposed to the zoning and subdivision and land development ordinance to improve these regulations, if the review determines they are needed.

• Performance standards will be used to keep development off steep slopes, and provide sufficient slope protection for development that does occur on steep slopes. • Regulate steep slopes that occur along stream corridors and prohibit the creation of steep slopes where they can be detrimental to the environment. • Minimize clearing and regrading on steeply sloped areas to reduce potential erosion hazards. WOODLANDS Standards will be prepared as an overlay zoning district to control inappropriate removal of trees from woodlands, hedgerows, and other significant areas, as well as encourage reforestation and reversion to woodlands where appropriate. Adoption of these standards is a high priority for water quality and other natural resource protection.

• Regulate the removal of all trees during development process. • Provide incentives to developers to protect vegetation in riparian buffer areas, hedgerows, and other sensitive areas. • Provide incentives to developers to reforest woodlands through natural succession where appropriate.

ZONING BASED ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS LOT SIZE RELATED TO NATURAL FEATURES– INCENTIVE ZONING– CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION These types of standards will be evaluated to determine which methods will work best in Upper Moreland to help protect environmental resources and provide additional open space. These standards will be especially useful in preserving a greenway along the Pennypack Creek if the Carson-Simpson Farm and Willow Grove Day Camp properties are ever rezoned to permit residential development. The township’s R-3A zoning district currently permits conservation subdivision. The R-3A, “M” Multi-family, and the “HR” High Rise districts will be revised to ensure appropriate open space preservation. OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS OR FEE IN LIEU Upper Moreland has a requirement to provide open space or provide a fee in lieu of providing open space. The township will draft standards needed to guide decision-making regarding when to require open space and when to accept the fees in lieu, to help achieve the goals of this plan. DONATION OF LAND FOR OPEN SPACE The donation of land or easements for open space and protection of natural features will be encouraged as part of the efforts to preserve land areas with sensitive natural features, including greenway linkages. HISTORIC/CULTURAL PRESERVATION ORDINANCES The township recently adopted a Historic Preservation Overlay Zoning District which will help property owners preserve, rehabilitate, and re-use by utilizing reasonable regulations which provide incentives for the property owners while also preserving the township historic and cultural resources.

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PARKLAND AND OPEN SPACE AQUISISTION AND PRESERVATION High, Medium and Low Priority properties, listed below, are shown in Figure 34, in relation to the entire township, as well as listed in Figure 34a. For general reference, all other properties that are directly or indirectly affected by the needs identified in Chapter Eight, or by the recommendations of this chapter are identified in the maps shown in Figures 32 and 33.

HIGH PRIORITY FOR ACQUISITION • Pioneer Woods Park (8.37 acre site bounded by Pioneer and Gibson Roads). Refer to number #12 on Figure 34 The Township is planning extensive clean-up of this entire site, including clearing underbrush, removing invasive tree species. The Township is also planning to place signage throughout the site identifying the area as well as putting in a trail system and possibly wetland area interpretation/interactive learning signage.

• Access to War Memorial Park via Davisville Road. The Township has worked very hard with assistance from the County in order to open an improved pedestrian/vehicular access into the park. This project will be a keystone feature in the revitalization of downtown Willow Grove. Presently this “community park” is severely underutilized and suffering from vandalism. An improved entrance and more patron presence will most likely reduce these problems.

• Extension of Dawson’s Manor Park. Refer to number #6 on Figure 34 Due to the expansion of Round Meadow School Dawson Manor Park lost one soccer field. After negotiations with the Fulmer Heights Club a property adjacent to Dawson Manor Park will soon be purchased by the Township in order to help mitigate the loss of the soccer field.

• 1370 Creek Road (Cardone Tract). Refer to number #2 on Figure 34 Green Fields/Green Towns “emergency funds” were used to purchase this tract with cooperation from PERT. This tract was going to be sold, as a result the Township had to act fast, and with assistance from PERT, this parcel was secured for purchase. This tract is an essential piece in the Township’s ever pressing task of preserving lands along the Pennypack Creek.

• Partial Acquisition/ Easement along Creek Road. Refer to number #1 on Figure 34 This tract is also adjacent to Pennypack Preserve property and therefore represents a wonderful tract in order to help preserve even more land along this creek bed.

• Buehler Nature Park Expansion. Refer to number #10 on Figure 34 The Township is working on identifying additional access points to the park from the surrounding neighborhoods. This is a difficult task due to fractured ownership of surrounding lands, although open communication with the owners of the Regency Towers complex will assist the township is securing a trail linkage from the adjacent neighborhood, and Regency Towers into Buehler Nature Park.

MEDIUM PRIORITY FOR ACQUISITION • 7th Day Adventist/Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy. Refer to number #3 on Figure 34 This tract was chosen for partial acquisition or easement purchase in cooperation with the current land owners. This tract contains a tributary stream to the Pennypack Creek as well as other sensitive environmental features. This tract is also adjacent to existing Pennypack Preserve lands in Bryn Athyn, as well as Upper More- land Township owned lands along the railway corridor.

• The Lords New Church. Refer to number #4 on Figure 34 This tract was chosen for full purchase when funding becomes available. This tract is also located adjacent to Pennypack Preserve property in Bryn Athyn, as well as across the street from the Abington Memorial Hospital grounds. This tract also contains a tributary of the Pennypack Creek as well as other sensitive environmental features.

88 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

• Fairhill Properties. Refer to number #9 on Figure 34 The Fairhill Street Properties are slated for full acquisition as funds are available. These properties are identified throughout this plan as ideal parcels to be acquired for the expansion of the existing Little League Fields as well as a possible community center for various recreational/educational, after school program headquarters. This tract is adjacent to the existing Little League Fields, which if purchased would also be contiguous to the soon to be redeveloped and reopened War Memorial Community Park.

• Fraiser’s Bog. Refer to number #13 on Figure 34 This area contains many sensitive environmental features as a result this area is slated for partial acquisition or easement. A portion of this property lies within the boundary of the Huntingdon Valley Country Club, while a portion is privately owned. The township will work with both property owners in order to secure an restrictive easement on this area in order to permanently protect any sensitive environmental features.

LOW OR ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS • 2405 Huntingdon Road (Delong Tract). Refer to number #5 on Figure 34 This tract was identified as a low priority for purchase due to the rather large overall tract size, as well as the tracts close proximity to the Cross County Trail, Pennypack Creek, Pennypack Preserve lands, as well as the Carson Simpson Farm.

• Peco Tract. Refer to number #11 on Figure 34 This tract was identify for a low priority for purchase for a possible community center location due to the close proximity to the railway corridor, sensitive environmental features, currently underutilized status, as well as being very close to the proposed Cross-County Trail system.

• 425 S. Warminster Road. Refer to number #7 on Figure 34 This neighborhood was recently purchased as a result of numerous floodings. The remaining tract located at 425 S. Warminster Road is the last remaining residential dwelling surrounded by township owned park lands. In order to create a more comprehensive, cohesive park the township identified this tract to purchase. • Sam’s Club tract. Refer to number #8 on Figure 34 This tract was identify for a low priority for purchase for a possible community center location due to the close proximity to the railway corridor, sensitive environmental features, currently underutilized status, as well as being very close to the proposed Cross-County Trail system.

• Independent Bible Church of Willow Grove. Refer to number #14 on Figure 34 This tract was identify for a low priority for purchase for a possible community center location due to the close proximity to the Willow Grove Day Camp. The Pennypack Creek runs directly through this parcel, this tract is also adjacent to the Carson Simpson Farm as well as being very close to the proposed Cross-County Trail system. OTHER OBJECTIVES The developed character of the township limits acquisition of additional parklands or greenways along streams or other corridors. However, many properties along the Pennypack Creek may contribute toward the creation of more parkland, open space linkages, and protection of natural resources. The following list of objectives supplements the priorities listed above, and the township will use it as a guide for future open space preservation efforts.

• Create a visual and pedestrian connection to War Memorial Park from Old York Road in the heart of the Willow Grove core area, with a landscaped plaza and gateway to serve as a focal point where the park’s greenspace meets the core area’s pedestrians. This project is currently underway, this project will also coincide with the overall redevelopment and revitalization of the downtown core of Willow Grove. The new community park entrance will serve as the keystone feature for the redevelopment of the downtown core. • Provide a pedestrian/bicycle trail along Byberry Road for non-automobile access from the neighborhoods between Davisville Road and the Turnpike corridor to Mason’s Mill Park. This connection will be complete

89 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 10

after the construction of the Pernnypack and Cross County Trail Systems. Although completion of both trails should be between 2008-2012. • Explore methods of preserving the character of the following privately owned recreation facilities. These methods will include purchase of limited easements, purchase of development rights, purchase of land, or regulatory measures including conservation subdivision development, as explained in previous chapters. 1. Willow Grove Summer Day Camp, Inc. 2. Greater Philadelphia Junior Academy ball field. 3. Huntingdon Valley Country Club golf course. 4. Carson-Simpson Farm for Christian Recreation 5. Upper Moreland Little League, Inc. 6. June Fete grounds. • Continue good communication with the school district to ensure that the township is aware of any changes proposed by the district regarding scheduling and use of specific facilities, well in advance of the changes. • Continue to rely on school district facilities until the township eliminates the municipal parkland deficit. • Ensure firm guarantees from the school district in the form of long term lease agreements, right of first refusal, or other dependable means for lands that might otherwise be sold. • Create multiple pedestrian connections along Davisville Road to provide access and interconnections for residents to War Memorial Park. This is a crucial pedestrian connection into this community level park. Presently, the access from all of the communities south of the park is very limited. Through selective property acquisition and safe railroad crossing points another access point can be constructed along Dav- isville Road. • Encourage and seek opportunities for developing a Community Center for the residents of the township. The township has identified the Fairhill Properties (See Figure 34, Number #9) as one possible location for a community center. The location is adjacent to existing little league fields as well as War Memorial Community Park, as well as the Upper Moreland High School, and the downtown core of Willow Grove.

90 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11 RECOMMENDATIONS: NON-ACQUISITION PROTECTION METHODS

POTENTIALLY APPLICABLE METHODS Communities can choose from a number of methods to protect their vulnerable open space and natural resources, including the direct method of purchasing land or easements. Other methods that may achieve similar results in Upper Moreland Township are described in this chapter. They include Natural Resource Protection Ordinances, Zoning Based on Performance Standards, Open Space Requirements or Fee-in-Lieu, and Donation of Land for Open Space.

UPDATE THE MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The last Comprehensive Plan for Upper Moreland was completed in 1969. This plan should be updated to reflect the current land use goals, as well as providing the township with a guide for future growth, development, redevelopment and revitalization throughout the township. UPDATE ZONING AND SUBDIVISION AND LAND DE- VELOPMENT CODES

ZONING BASED ON PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Performance standards can be used to directly relate the minimum lot size to the natural features of a site. Other uses of performance zoning can include provision of incentives in return for a community benefit, or flexible lotting or alternative design standards. Several methods are explained below.

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LOT SIZE RELATED TO NATURAL FEATURES vide the community benefit sought by the incen- Through ratios put into the zoning ordinance, the tive regulations. lot size will depend on the type and extent of natural constraints appearing on a property. CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION When there are a lot of natural constraints on a Open space can be preserved within a proposed site, such as floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, development by arranging the homes in one por- high water table soils, etc, the minimum lot size tion of the site while keeping the remainder open must be larger. When there are no natural con- permanently. The overall density of the site often straints, the minimum lot size may be relatively remains the same, but may be increased as an small. This type of regulation has recently been incentive to developers, while homes are put on upheld by the Pennsylvania courts as a means of smaller lots. Large amounts of open space can be controlling the impact of development on natural preserved to contain views, historic properties, features. woodlands, steep slopes, floodplain, wetlands or A simple version of this concept subtracts certain recreation space. Preserved open space may or environmental constraints, such as floodplains and may not be dedicated for public park land. The wetlands, from the net lot area. This results in the majority of the open space would protect natural requirement that constrained sites increase lot features and provide recreation areas. area to ensure protection of natural features. The area that is not environmentally constrained must • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: These meet the zoning district’s minimum lot size. For types of standards will be evaluated to deter- example, if the zoning district allowed 1-acre lots mine how each of them can help protect and an applicant proposed a lot that had 1/2 acre environmental resources and provide addi- of wetlands, the minimum area of that lot would tional open space. The township’s R-3A zoning district permits conservation subdivision have to be increased to 1-1/2 acres to provide 1- clustering design as well as requires the pres- acre of usable land and one acre of protected ervation of open space. This district and two area for the floodplain. other districts will be revised to ensure appropriate open space preservation. Another variation would reduce the minimum required lot area so that the number of lots that NATURAL RESOURCE the site can otherwise accommodate are fitted into only the areas of the site that are not con- PROTECTION strained by natural features. The method is similar ORDINANCES to the conservation subdivision concept except FLOODPLAIN that lot area reductions would only be used to Floodplain ordinances restrict or prohibit inappro- protect natural features, and would vary from site priate land use and development within flood- to site. plains. Theses ordinances primarily protect property from flood damage, but also protect the envi- INCENTIVE ZONING ronment within the floodplain, and reduce the Communities can encourage developers to pro- possibility of raising the flood level, therefore im- vide open space, recreation facilities, trails, and pacting more properties. Protection ordinances park land by giving these developers an incentive are intended to allow the floodplain to function to provide these amenities. The incentive, which appropriately, while requiring minimum setbacks is put into specific zoning districts, may allow the from the edge of the floodplain as well as require developer to receive a higher density than he riparian areas to be protected and possibly re- would otherwise receive, or perhaps a smaller lot planted. size, or a waiver from certain landscaping require- The term riparian refers to streambanks, but more ments, in exchange for the amenities desired by specifically the vegetated areas found along many the municipality. The ordinance must be de- watercourses. These function as buffers that serve signed so that the cost of providing the amenity a number of important environmental purposes, does not exceed the benefit received from the such as streambank stabilization, water tempera- incentive. Otherwise, the developer will not pro- ture moderation, and pollution filter. Basically, a

92 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 11 riparian protection ordinance restricts disturbance and state permits that they need, but they locate to the vegetation so that it can perform its natural homes right next to wetland areas. Although this functions. As part of this, a buffer width is estab- is permitted by state and federal regulations, it can lished (typically 75 feet on both sides) to supple- lead to problems in the future if individual home- ment floodplain regulations. These regulations are owners decide to fill in that wet spot behind their generally applied through zoning, as an overlay home so they can have a more usable back yard. district. Additional regulations are also placed in Local municipalities can eliminate this problem by the subdivision and land development ordinance requiring a minimum building setback from wet- and the building code to supplement zoning regu- lands. lations. These potential problems can be reduced by re- • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: The quiring a minimum building setback from wet- township will review its existing floodplain lands and replacement of wetlands vegetation regulations and amendments will be pro- when it is destroyed. In addition, the township posed to improve these regulations as can require wetlands to be shown on subdivision needed. and land development plans, exclude wetlands STREAM CORRIDOR PROTECTION from the calculation of minimum lot area for building lots, and ensure consumer education regard- Riparian buffer requirements go further to protect ing wetlands. Enactment of local wetland protec- the water quality of streams and plant and animal tion regulations is a vital step that should be taken habitats than floodplain ordinances. Riparian for environmental protection purposes. buffer protection ordinances typically impose a minimum setback of 75 feet or more from the bank of a stream, in which no disturbance may • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: Local occur. The minimum setback permits natural wetlands standards will be prepared as an overlay zoning district to protect these areas growth that helps stabilize the stream bank, pro- from adverse impacts of inappropriate devel- vide wildlife habitat, controls temperature increase opment or use, and to facilitate the environ- in the stream, controls sediments and removes mental benefits of these areas. nutrients that would otherwise enter and pollute the stream. The area within the riparian buffers STEEP SLOPES should be left in its natural state, with occasional Steep slope ordinances restrict or prohibit develop- or periodic application of management practices ment in steep slope areas, which are typically ar- to ensure a stable streamside ecosystem. Regula- eas with slopes of 15% or more. Usually, on tion of riparian buffers is one of the most impor- slopes of 15% to 25%, development is permitted if tant steps that can be taken for protection of water the minimum lot size is increased and/or the per- quality and other natural features. cent of the lot that is disturbed is limited. Some steep slope ordinances prohibit all development, • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: The township will draft appropriate regulations as although this prohibition doesn't normally kick in an overlay district to protect riparian buffers. until the slopes are extremely steep, 25% or more.

WETLANDS In Upper Moreland, remaining steeply sloped lands are often narrow bands within stream corri- Wetlands are regulated by the federal and state dors. Otherwise, the developed character of the governments; however, municipalities can also township limits the usefulness of steep slope regu- regulate wetlands. Sometimes, development oc- lations. Steep slopes that occur along stream cor- curs on wetlands, and the state and federal gov- ridors can be regulated in addition to or as part of ernments are unaware of this development. If the riparian buffer regulations, and creation of steep local municipality prohibits development on wet- slopes can be prohibited where they can be detri- lands and requires wetlands to be shown on the mental to the environment. Enactment of these plan, it can stop development of wetlands from regulations is a vital step the should be taken for slipping through the cracks. water quality and other environmental protection Sometimes, developers receive all of the federal purposes.

93 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 11

• Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: The square feet of recreation space per dwelling unit, township will review its existing steep slope or, at the township discretion, pay a fee-in-lieu of regulations and amendments will be pro- at the rate of $500 per dwelling unit that the posed to improve these regulations as township must spend on facilities accessible to the needed. development. This method will continue to apply WOODLANDS to development in the township, although there are only limited opportunities remaining for addi- Woodland preservation ordinances are intended tional developments containing a minimum of 5 to protect existing trees and woodlands for a vari- dwelling units. However, this requirement may ety of reasons. Some of these ordinances provide also be applied to redevelopment. minimum standards that must be followed during construction to protect existing trees. Other ordinances allow development to plant fewer street • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: The trees, buffers, or individual lot trees when existing township will review the existing code in order to determine if the present standards trees are preserved. Some of these ordinances should be applied to residential develop- also require developers to replace trees that are ments under 5 dwelling units. The township removed. There is a need to protect existing trees will also draft standards to guide decision- and add new trees for their various benefits. The making regarding when to require open township can strengthen its regulations to ensure space an when to accept the fees in lieu. appropriate protection, replacement, and addi- DONATION OF LAND FOR OPEN SPACE tions of trees. The extent of protection varies widely among communities, but standards gener- Landowners can preserve open space by donat- ally cover one or more of the following: ing the full title of their property or by donating their development right to a non-profit land con- • Tree protection servation group or to the township. Either of these approaches will permanently preserve land • Buffer planting as open space. If a landowner donates land or • Pruning, removal, replacement development rights, he or she may receive tax • Limits to disturbance benefits, but the land must be permanently restricted from future development. A number of With the exception of the last item, however, land conservation groups are willing to take these these may not produce effective permanent pres- donations, including the Montgomery County ervation of woodland masses, which can be the Lands Trust, the Brandywine Conservancy, the main objective. The problem is that although they Natural Lands Trust, the Nature Conservancy, the are applied during the land development process, Conservancy of Montgomery County, and the there is no guarantee that woodland shown to be Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust. protected will remain so permanently (except where used to meet buffer requirements). Some land conservation groups can also help local landowners develop some of their land while keeping the majority open and deed restricted. • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: Stan- dards will be prepared as an overlay zoning With the approach, the land is developed in a district to control inappropriate removal of sensitive manner, the landowner receives some trees from woodlands, hedgerows, and other financial benefit, and the most important environ- significant areas, and encourage reforestation mental amenities on the site are preserved. and reversion to woodlands where appropriate. • Upper Moreland’s Proposed Action: The township will encourage donation of land or OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS OR easements for open space and protection of FEE IN LIEU natural features as part of its efforts to preserve land areas with sensitive natural fea- The township’s zoning ordinance and subdivision tures, including greenway linkages. and land development ordinance require open space to be preserved for subdivisions and land developments with at least five lots or five dwelling units. Developers must provide at least 1,000

94 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12 IMPLEMENTATION

BACKGROUND This chapter identifies the implementation methods the township will use to achieve the goals and objectives identified in Chapter Two. A time frame is provided to outline the township’s intended schedule for carrying out the implementation strategies. They have considered the goals, objectives, and recommendations of the township’s prior planning studies and were refined and adapted in response to the various inventories and analyses of this open space plan. The responsibility to monitor and advocate the implementation of this plan is assigned to the township’s Open Space Implementation Committee, which prepared this plan.

Implementation is perhaps the most important part of the plan. Having identified and examined the open space issues important to the Township, a timeframe for implementation is established here to guide the Township toward achieving its goals. In the near term (Phase One), implementation principally involves acquiring open space using the remainder of the Township's funding allocation under the County open space program; basically, this means doing so over the next three years (1995 through 1997). It also means taking other, non-acquisition actions for open space preservation and recreation facility planning and development. In the longer term (Phase Two), implementation will build upon these earlier efforts. For each proposed action, primary responsibility is proposed among the following township groups and consultants:

95 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 12

• Board of Commissioners (BOC) • Advisory Planning Agency (APA) • Parks & Recreation…….. (PRAC) • Upper Moreland Historical Commission (UMHC) • Open Space Implementation Committee (OSIC) • Township Solicitor (S) • Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC)

PRIORITY CATEGORIES High Priority projects (Phase One) should be implemented within the next three years (2006-2009). Medium Priority (Phase Two) projects, programs and policies should begin in three to five years (2009-2011), and Low Priority projects, programs and policies should be implemented within five to ten years (2011 to 2015). PRESERVATION METHODS There are a number of ways a municipality can obtain land for open space. An overview of these alterna- tives is provided here to serve as a guide for the Township’s future open space acquisition efforts. In the long term, all of these could conceivably be used by the Township, although at any given time one or more may be more appropriate than others for acquiring a specific site. More generally, however, they indicate that the Township can be flexible in its approach to implementing the plan’s goals.

FEE SIMPLE ACQUISITION This option is the most direct way to acquire open space because it simply involves negotiating with a private landowner to arrive at a mutually acceptable purchase price and then completing the deal. The municipality then has free and clear title to the property, or fee simple ownership. Because it is usually a straight- forward transaction, municipalities often prefer this approach, particularly for establishing a community park.

INSTALLMENT BUYING With this method, the municipality agrees to purchase a set number of acres annually until the full parcel is acquired. In return, the full site is removed from the tax rolls when the initial agreement is signed. The owner may choose to remain on his land until it is completely sold and paid for.. The advantage of this method is that benefits accrue to both the municipality and the landowner. For a municipality with limited funds, installment buying spreads the cost over a period of time. The landowner in the meantime is relieved of real property responsibilities with the agreement is signed.

LONG TERM LEASE WITH OPTION TO BUY This involves the negotiation of a lease price with a property owner and includes conditions for use and possible purchase of the property. The primary advantage is that it permits flexibility; if the property is not needed in the future for open space, it returns to the owner.

PURCHASE AND LEASE-BACK Purchase and lease-back results in buying land and leasing it back to the owner in accordance with agreed- upon policies for the use and protection of the land. Its primary advantage is that it permits purchase of property before prices rise or before the property is lost to development. It also permits flexibility because once the land is purchased it can be used for another public purpose, sold, or exchanged for another parcel.

96 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 12

PURCHASE AND RESALE This method is similar to purchase and lease-back, except that the land is purchased with the sole intent of reselling it under conditions or restrictive covenants. If the land is acquired at a low cost, the resulting profits help repay initial purchase costs and can be used to acquire additional land. Another advantage is that after resale, the municipality is relieved of ownership and maintenance responsibilities and the land is taxable.

LEASING This is a popular, relatively inexpensive way to acquire open space, especially if the land is unlikely to be developed (for example, reservoirs and utility land). The term of the lease usually ranges form 20 to 50 years; at a minimum, a period should be established that is long enough to finance anticipated capital improvements. The owner of the leased land prescribes conditions and terms under which the land can be used and the lessee is required to carry liability insurance covering personal injury and property damage.

EASEMENTS Easements are a successful way to save public funds, yet receive open space benefits. An easement is a limited right over land owned by another person. Legally, a person has the right to use his property subject to zoning laws, subdivision regulation, etc; however, he may sell his right to use the land in specific ways. The costs of easements vary with the type acquired. Easements can be affirmative or negative. Affirmative easements grant limited rights to the public to use the land for public purposes, such as hiking, fishing, or riding. Such easements can be used selectively to obtain public use of private lands for trails and access to water- based recreational facilities. In contrast, negative easements do not allow public access, but restrict the owner in his use of the property. For example, a scenic easement requires the owner to preserve the “openness” or natural beauty of a site; this type of easement can be effective in maintaining municipality's visually attractive roads.

Use of easements is generally more limited and complicated than land acquisition, but they can limit or prevent destruction and premature development of scenic areas. They should be selectively used and tailored to fit the requirements of each particular situation.

EMINENT DOMAIN Eminent domain is the condemnation of land for a public use by due process of law. It must involve the de- termination of a fair market value for the property and a clear definition of the public purposes for which it is being condemned. Before exercising the right of eminent domain, a municipality should study the necessity of obtaining the particular site and the feasibility of acquiring it by other acquisition methods. Only if all other methods fail and the property is essential to an open space system should eminent domain be considered.

LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVANCIES Land trusts and conservancies are private, non-profit tax exempt trusts, usually organized by a citizen supported, non-profit agency. Their funds can be used to provide open space and to preserve natural resources such as stream valleys. Administration and management of the land are the responsibility of the service agency. Private non-profits have an advantage in that they can often move faster to acquire property than can a government agency. Frequently a public-private partnership is formed whereby the private agency acquires land and then resells it to a government agency at a later date.

As noted previously, there are a number of existing conservation groups what will work with private landowners to conserve their land. However, such situations may or may not include provisions for public access. Because of this, a municipality should work closely with these organizations and landowners where public access is a goal. In this way, conservancies can function as an alternative method of acquiring open space.

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LAND EXCHANGES This method involves the trading of land between one owner and another to obtain mutual advantages. An arrangement can be made between landowners to exchange land that serves their interests. VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS Voluntary agreements can be established between government agencies and owners of agricultural lands, industrial holdings, and utility lands for various purposes. They are strictly voluntary, with permission to use the land for public enjoyment in clearly specified ways. For example, a utility company might permit trail use of a power line right-of-way.

PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS If the municipality is only interested in protecting land or designated features of a property without gaining the right for public access, then this method of acquisition of partial interests rather than full fee title in land is available. In essence, a municipality could preserve significant natural, scenic, historic, or cultural resources by purchasing a landowner’s right to develop the property or otherwise alter the character of the features that are deemed worthy of protection.

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND PURCHASE OPTION These methods involve establishing an agreement which specifies that the land may be acquired by the municipality at a future date. A right of first refusal provides the municipality with the option to match an offered purchase price within a specified time period should a landowner receive a legitimate offer to sell. A purchase option is simply a right that the municipality holds to purchase the land by a specified date at a specified price. Both rights of first refusal and purchase option can be either donated or sold to the municipality.

LIFE OR TERM ESTATES This technique involves the acquisition of land with certain restrictions attached to the deed. A municipality may be better able to negotiate the purchase of property if certain interests in the land are reserved for the benefit of the landowner. For example, a municipality could purchase land with all rights of ownership con- veyed except the right to occupy a house or a portion of the full property for a specified term (usually 25 years) or until the death of the landowner.

DONATIONS AND BARGAIN SALES These methods of acquisition involve obtaining land at less than its full market value. Receiving donations of the full value of land is the least expensive way for a municipality to obtain land and can, in some instances, be a wise approach for a landowner to take to directly benefit from tax incentives and the shelter effects of charitable deductions. If a full donation of land is not possible or if the landowner has an immediate need for cash through sale, then a partial donation and bargain sale might be a prudent alternative. By selling land at a price that is less than its full value, a landowner can still receive tax benefits based on the difference between the fair market value of the land and its actual sale price. The primary benefit to these techniques is that a municipality acquires land at a lower cost while the seller obtains tax deductions.

FUNDING SOURCES In addition to the funds allocated through the County Open Space Program, Springfield is eligible for funds from a variety of sources including various grants and donations (of cash, materials, and/or labor).

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GREEN FIELD/GREEN TOWN OPEN SPACE GRANTS In 2003, a referendum to fund open space and green infrastructure projects was passed in Montgomery County. This funding was distributed to municipalities, private non-profit conservation organizations and the county to preserve more open space and enhance the livability of existing communities throughout the County.

Springfield is eligible to receive a total of $1,397,301 for open space planning and implementation. This grant requires matching funds equal to twenty percent of project costs from the township. The County grants come with several conditions. The most important condition is that any land purchased with grant money must be permanently preserved as open space or for active recreation. Another condition is that Springfield must complete and adopt the Open Space Plan. This plan must be approved by the County’s Open Space Board before grant money can be disbursed.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (MCRP) Initiated in 2000, this program is intended to create a strategic, economic development program that will strengthen and stabilize the county’s older communities for the long term. It helps these communities become more vibrant, livable, and attractive places. Funding from this competitive program is used for projects consistent with the Township’s Community Revitalization Plan.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DCNR) DCNR manages a variety of grant and technical assistance programs concerned with a variety of issues. DCNR annually awards about $30 million in planning, acquisition, and development grants for parks, recreation, rivers conservation, trails, greenways, and protection of open space and critical natural areas. Most DCNR grants require a 50/50 match. DCNR also provides pre-application workshops to assist applicants in the preparation of their application forms.

A priority goal of the these programs is to develop and sustain partnerships with communities, non-profits, and other organizations for recreation and conservation projects and purposes. With this in mind, the Com- munity Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) was established. It is a combination of several funding sources and grant programs, including the Commonwealth’s Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (KEY 93, described below), the Environmental Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act (Growing Greener, also described below), Act 68 Snowmobile and ATV Trails Fund, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Recreational Trails component of the Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First Cen- tury (TEA-21).

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP) The Growing Greener program has funded efforts to clean up Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams, reclaimed abandoned mines and toxic waste sites, invested in new alternative energy sources, preserved farmland and open space, and developed watershed restoration programs. Thus far, Growing Greener has generated nearly $1.50 in matching funds for the environment for every $1.00 in state money. As the Growing Greener program evolves, it will focus on brownfield redevelopment, farmland and open space preservation, water quality improvements, enhanced state and community parks, and an upgraded fish and wildlife infrastructure. Growing Greener II will accomplish these goals while making critical investments in community revitalization and the promotion of the use of clean energy.

KEYSTONE RECREATION, PARK AND CONSERVATION FUND The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund Act was signed into law in 1993. It directs a portion of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax to the Keystone Fund, establishing a dedicated and permanent funding

99 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 12 sources for recreation, parks, conservation, and other programming. Grants from this program require a minimum 50% match from the recipient municipality or nonprofit organization. As of 2002, $144 million had been granted to more than 2,100 projects. The demand on the Keystone Fund already outstrips resources by a 4 to 1 margin.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DCED) The mission DCED is “To foster opportunities for businesses and communities to succeed and thrive in a global economy, thereby enabling Pennsylvanians to achieve a superior quality of life.” Therefore there are several assistance and grant programs available to Pennsylvania municipalities. Often, local economic and community revitalization efforts are supported by the implementation of green infrastructure and open space plans. Below is a list of programs offered by DCED through which revitalization funds may flow to implement the recommendations described in this open space plan.

• Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) - Provides grant assistance and technical assistance to aid communities in their community and economic development efforts.

• Community Revitalization Program (CR) - Provides grant funds to support local initiatives that promote the stability of communities.

• Main Street Program - This program provides assistance for revitalization planning and projects.

• Elm Street Program - Grant funds for planning, technical assistance and physical improvements to residential and mixed use areas in proximity to central business districts.

• Industrial Sites Reuse Program - Grant and low-interest loan financing to perform environmental site assessment and remediation work at former industrial sites.

PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL & MUSEUM COMMISSION (PHMC) Many communities value their historic resources and work to preserve them for future generations. These resources can then be integrated into the open space network and cultural amenities of that community to enhance local image and aesthetics. The PHMC offers several programs that aid municipalities in these efforts.

• Certified Local Government Grant Program- Provides funding for cultural resource surveys, national register nominations, technical and planning assistance, educational and interpretive programs, staffing and training, and pooling CLG grants and third party administration

• Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program - Funding for preservation, restoration, and rehabilita- tion

• Pennsylvania History and Museum Grant Program - Funding under this program is designated to support a wide variety of museum, history, archives and historic preservation projects, as well as nonprofit organizations and local governments. There are 10 types of grants.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PENNDOT) SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL This category includes projects for bicyclists and pedestrians that permit safe passage for children to walk or bike to school. This includes activities that enhance the transportation system through the construction of new facilities or the improvement of existing facilities to make them more usable for pedestrians and bicyclists. Some examples of eligible activities include: sidewalk improvements, pedestrian/bicycle crossing improvements, bike lanes, traffic diversion improvements, off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities. In addition, this program may fund traffic calming measures to slow the speed of cars such as the following: curb extensions, bulb-outs, traffic circles, raised median islands, speed humps, textured or raised crosswalks. Funds cannot be

100 UPPER MORELAND OPEN SPACE PLAN: CHAPTER 12 used for bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are solely for recreational use.

HOME TOWN STREETS This category includes a variety of streetscape improvements that are vital to reestablishing our downtown and commercial centers. These will include activities undertaken within a defined "downtown" area that col- lectively enhance that environment and promote positive interactions with people in the area. Projects may include sidewalk improvements, planters, benches, street lighting, pedestrian crossings, transit bus shelters, traffic calming, bicycle amenities, kiosks, community "gateway" plantings, signage and other visual elements.

DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (DVRPC) DVRPC’s Transportation and Community Development Initiative program is intended to assist in reversing the trends of disinvestment and decline in many of the region's core cities and first generation suburbs by:

• Supporting local planning projects that will lead to more residential, employment or retail opportunities;

• Improving the overall character and quality of life within these communities to retain and attract business and residents, which will help to reduce the pressure for further sprawl and expansion into the growing suburbs;

• Enhancing and utilizing the existing transportation infrastructure capacity in these areas to reduce the demands on the region's transportation network; and

• Reducing congestion and improving the transportation system's efficiency.

CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CMAQ) This program seeks transportation-related projects that can help the region reduce emissions from highway sources and meet National Clean Air Act standards. The program covers the DVRPC region of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; and, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer counties in New Jersey.

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TE) Transportation Enhancements is a set-aside of Federal highway and transit funds, mandated by Congress in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) for the funding of "non-traditional" projects designed to enhance the transportation experience, to mitigate the impacts of transportation facilities on communities and the environment, and to enhance community character through transportation-related improvements.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The program offers technical assistance only to nonprofit organizations, community groups, and local or state government agencies. Rivers and Trails technical staff offers the following types of assistance for recreation and conservation projects:

• Building partnerships to achieve community-set goals • Assessing resources • Developing concept plans • Engaging public participation • Identifying potential sources of funding • Creating public outreach

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• Organizational development • Providing conservation and recreation information

PECO ENERGY GREEN REGION OPEN SPACE GRANT PROGRAM PECO Energy, a subsidiary of Exelon, is currently involved in several environmental partnerships including “TreeVitalize,” with DCNR, clean water preservation with The Nature Conservancy, and environmental education initiatives with the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and Green Valleys Association. Green Region grants are available to municipalities in amounts up to $10,000. The grants can be used with other funding sources to cover a wide variety of planning and direct expenses associated with development and implementing open space programs, including consulting fees, surveys, environmental assessments, habitat improvement, and capital improvements for passive recreation. DONATIONS Upper Moreland should encourage donations from individuals and groups to help pay for parkland acquisition, development, and tree planting. The donations may be cash, materials, or labor. The Township could organize special days during which local citizens and groups could gather to participate in implementing open space projects.

CONCLUSION Upper Moreland Township looks forward to adopting the 2006 Open Space Plan and implementing its recommendations. The Township believes that parks and open space contribute greatly to the quality of life of its residents, and that a “Green Town” is what Upper Moreland strives to be.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

Montgomery County Green Fields/Green Towns Program http://www.montcopa.org/plancom/greenfields2.htm

Upper Moreland Township http://www.uppermoreland.org/

Montgomery County Planning Commission http://www.montcopa.org/plancom/

TIME PHASING PHASE ONE (2006 THROUGH 2009) NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION REGULATIONS • Draft Riparian Buffers/Stream Corridor Protection Regulations. • Evaluate Existing Floodplain Regulations and Draft Amendments as needed. • Draft Wetland Protection Regulations. • Evaluate Existing Steep Slope Regulations and Draft Amendments as needed. • Draft Woodlands Conservation Regulations.

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ENHANCE THE TOWNSHIP’S EXISTING OPEN SPACE BY DEVELOPING PARK MASTER PLANS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENTS. • Encourage participation in Township Agriculture Security Area/permanent conservation of farmland (PA; BOC) • Upgrade recreation facilities at township Park/examine development of additional facilities (OSRC; BOS)

PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE TOWNSHIP’S HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND SITES. • Begin Land Preservation Techniques Study (BOC; PA) • Conduct recreation survey and facility needs assessment after acquisition of additional properties (OSRC; BOC) • Hold public information meeting on land preservation by conservancy organizations (BOC)

CONTINUE SOLICITING PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT FOR PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING. • APA/PRAC • UMHC CREATE A COORDINATED OPEN SPACE NETWORK. • BOC • APA • MCPC

WORK WITH LARGE PROPERTY OWNERS TO GIVE UPPER MORELAND THE FIRST RIGHT OF RE- FUSAL ON THE PURCHASE OF THEIR PROPERTY. • BOC • APA • MCPC

PHASE TWO (2010 AND BEYOND) OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS OR FEE IN LIEU • Draft Standards Needed to Guide Decision-Making Regarding When to Require Open Space and When to Accept the Fees in Lieu, to Help Achieve the Goals of this Plan.

PARKLAND & OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION & PRESERVATION • Acquisition Priorities for Preserving Open Space and/or Parklands:

PRIORITIES TO THE END OF 2015. High Priority • Improve pedestrian access to War Memorial Park from Davisville Road. • Extension of Dawson’s Manor Park. • Cardone Property-Creek Road • Partial Acquisition/Easement of properties along Creek Road. • Buehler Nature Park expansion Medium Priority • Possible acquisition/easement on lands owned by 7th Day Adventist Church. • Lords New Church • Fairhill Properties • Fraiser’s Bog

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Low Priority • Delong Property • Select Peco lands • Remaining Surry Lane properties Additional Acquisitions or Partial Parcel Acquisitions • Sam’s Club: Possible site for Community Center or passive open space. • Independent Bible Church of Willow Grove

OTHER OPEN SPACE ACTIONS The township will do the following:

1. Increase its parklands to reduce or eliminate any deficit indicated by parks and recreation planning standards to guarantee the township’s residents sufficient township controlled recreation areas. 2. Continue to use school district recreation lands, as an option, if it eliminates the deficit. 3. The following list of actions supplements the priorities listed above to guide the township in acquisition of additional parklands and open space: (Input is needed in order to determine what projects should be listed as additional acquisitions and improvements to existing parks.) COORDINATE & COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS (ON-GOING) 1. The township will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the Upper Moreland School District in regard to joint use of recreation facilities, and coordinate with private organizations in regard to their roles in providing recreation opportunities. Until the township eliminates the municipal parkland deficit, it will continue to rely on school district facilities, and will ensure firm guarantees from the school district in the form of long term lease agreements, right of first refusal for lands that might be sold, or other dependable means. The township will continue good communication with the school district to ensure that the township is aware of any changes proposed by the district regarding scheduling and use of specific facilities, well in advance of the changes. 2. The township will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the boroughs of Hatboro and Bryn Athyn, and the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust concerning shared interests in the Pennypack Creek. Also, Upper Moreland will seek an agreement to formalize the use of Hatboro Memorial and J.T. Eaton Parks in Hatboro because Blair Mill Park is very small and there is little other opportunity in the “panhandle” are of the township for municipal recreation. 3. The township will encourage landowners to work with conservation groups, land trusts, and other similar organizations such as the Township Historical Commission who specialize in various forms of resource protection.

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