Peacedale Preserve
222 acres
Peacedale Preserve includes two streams that flow into Big Elk Creek, which in turn leads to the Chesapeake Bay. The property also contains vast expanses of woodlands and hayfields, some of which are being restored to native grass meadows. The preserve, comprised of several parcels of acquired over many decades, is a wonderful example of just how long-term the work of land conservation can be.
parking
Off of Peacedale Road, 1 mile west of Rt. 896/New London Road
history
In 1973, Natural Lands received a donation of land from the estate of Charles Foote, a southern Chester County farmer who, by all accounts, had his own ideas about things. Fortunately, one of those ideas was that his farm should remain open space forever. His farm remained in our care but, due to limited access and funding, it was an isolated parcel with no trails.
In 2009, Natural Lands purchased an adjoining 133-acres from a developer that had received approval for subdivision but—due to the economic downturn—decided to sell the land instead. Later that same year, and again in 2011, we acquired additional neighboring properties, bringing the preserve to its present size.
