The Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the purchase of ten acres of pristine Open Space at the intersection of Griffith Road, and Valley Forge Road, adjacent to Heyser Field and the Worcester Community Hall in Fairview Village. The motion to enter into an Agreement of Sale with the Griffith Family was approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors at their October 18th meeting, for a sum of $595,000.
Board Chair Rick DeLello shared, “The Board and I are overjoyed to have reached this agreement with the Griffith family to preserve this property, which has only changed hands a few times since it was owned by William Penn. Now, we will begin the exciting process of working with the community to determine the future use of the beautiful property, ideally located near Community Hall.”
“We are thrilled to have this important property along the Valley Forge Road corridor protected from development. This is farmland with a great deal of history”, said Will Griffith, representing the Griffith family. The property was originally part of the 1727 Henry Rittenhouse farmstead that spanned both sides of what is now Griffith Road. Henry was among the earliest settlers in Worcester and was one of the twenty-two landowners that petitioned for the creation of Worcester Township in 1733.
Will added, “our family has been an active steward of this land for more than 80 years and to know that it is now preserved forever is a great comfort. It will be here for all to enjoy”. The Township Planning Commission is currently meeting with community stakeholders to discuss the current and future use and need for open space throughout the Township. This acquisition follows the recent purchase of the Historic Dutchie Church in September, and the purchase of 3335 Fisher Road, a forty-acre farm purchased by the Board of Supervisors last year. This acquisition represents the latest in Worcester Township’s “300 by 300” Open Space Preservation Program.
Residents are encouraged to join the discussions with the Planning Commission each fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM, Community Hall, 1031 S. Valley Forge Road, Norristown, PA 19403.
