Gwynedd Preserve
279 acres
Gwynedd Preserve is an oasis of nature nestled among the highly developed suburbs of Blue Bell and North Wales. After more than a century in agriculture, the preserve’s fields are being carefully restored. A walk along the trails reveals a re-emerging ecosystem of native plants including warm-season grasses and wildflowers.
The meadow and forest habitats here are particularly important because they are connected to other preserved lands in the Wissahickon Creek watershed. The entire 26-mile length of the riparian corridor of the Wissahickon Creek greenway is protected by private landowners and conservation organizations, as well as township and state entities.
Address
640 South Swedesford Road, North Wales, PA
Visitor Hours
Wed – Mon dawn to dusk.
Hiking, 6 - 9 Miles
Restrooms
Seasonal Hunting
parking
1/2 mile northeast of Township Line and South Swedesford Roads
history
Gwynedd Preserve was once part of Record Farms, established in 1872 by William M. Singerly. In time, the farm—named for Singerly’s newspaper, The Philadelphia Record—grew to more than 700 acres and, in 1912, was sold to Ralph Beaver Strassburger and renamed Normandy Farm. The property remained in agriculture until Jack and Claire Betz, who had purchased the various parcels during the 1970s and early 1980s, donated 110 acres to Natural Lands in 1986 so that the land would be forever maintained as a wildlife preserve. In the following years, the Betz family generously helped add another 124 acres to the preserve. A donation and sale of land by Lee and Phoebe Driscoll allowed us to add an additional 45 acres in 2008.
access to nature. more essential than ever.
Our preserves are open, thanks to member support.
Help us continue our work saving open space, caring for nature, and connecting people to the outdoors.
