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On July 13, 2023, Delaware County held a groundbreaking ceremony for development of its new park, located on a 33-acre property adjacent to the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer’s Little Flower Nursing Home in Darby Township.
The as-yet named park, referred to as simply “Little Flower” or “Little Flower Open Space,” once served as an encampment for British soldiers during the Revolutionary War and remains one of larger undeveloped tracks along the Great Minquas Path used in the pre-colonial beaver pelt trade between the Lenni-Lenape and European settlers. It has long provided the community with green open space, though not much accessibility to the public.
Recognizing the inherent natural beauty and historical significance of the location, Delaware County officials worked with the late State Rep. Nicholas Micozzie and community leaders and elected officials from Darby Borough, the Borough of Clifton Heights, Upper Darby Township, and the Borough of Collingdale to purchase the land in 2016, with help from State grants obtained with input from Natural Lands.
The County’s Planning Department then worked to create a park master plan, which included extensive public engagement of local citizens and officials. Residents strongly supported the creation of a park over the possible commercial development of the space.
This initial phase of work — assisted with a generous $300,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) — allowed for the creation of the park’s core infrastructure. JMC Contractors completed the construction of the Phase 1 improvements informed by drawings from the Engineer of Record, Pennoni.
The Phase I work included the following:
- Installation of a new driveway entrance
- New ADA compliant parking
- New Lighting
- Installation of a paved walking trail
- Improved path into the woods to an overlook
- Creation of a community garden space
- The addition of shade trees
- Stormwater management features
To read more about the Phase I project, please visit:
July 14th, 2023 Groundbreaking!
