Bryn Coed Preserve
Developers coveted this vast, unspoiled property for decades. Today, Bryn Coed is protected forever.
about Bryn Coed Preserve
In 2017, Natural Lands protected a 1,505-acre mosaic of forest and farmland known as Bryn Coed—which means “wooded hill” in Welsh. In doing so, we saved one of the largest remaining unprotected swaths of land in the greater Philadelphia region from becoming a housing development.
The preserve includes a Pennsylvania Champion white oak, the headwaters of the Pickering Creek, and several Bald Eagle nesting spots. Miles of hiking trails meander past 19th century stone farmhouses, historical ruins, and other remnants of the land’s agricultural past.
Please note: a portion of the trails traverse private property. Please respect the owners’ privacy and stay on the trails.
background
In 1964, brothers Richard, Daniel, and William Dietrich began acquiring adjoining farms in rural Chester Springs, Chester County. They’d noted with consternation increasing encroachment of development and wanted to protect what they could of this bucolic valley.
The Dietrichs decided to keep the land in agriculture. In the 1970s, they constructed a state-of-the-art dairy that featured 500 individual, automated milking stalls. Machinery pumped fresh milk through a pre-cooler and then into a 10,000-gallon stainless steel tank, where it was stored until it was picked up by a refrigerated truck. The herd of 1,000 Holsteins—fed on corn and alfalfa from Bryn Coed’s fields—won many ribbons at state and local farm shows.
But by 1984, with slim profit margins for milk, the Dietrichs sold off the herd and shut down the dairy.
After the millennium, the brothers—now into their late 50s—began to look for a way to divest themselves of the expansive property. Development pressures were increasing as Chester County’s population soared. Several proposals—some to develop the land and some to conserve it—were explored but never came to fruition.
When Natural Lands approached the Dietrich family in 2012 to offer a plan to permanently protect Bryn Coed, the stars seemed to align. Retaining all 1,505 acres of such a vast and valuable property simply wasn’t feasible, so Natural Lands devised a plan through which we retained about a third of the land as a nature preserve, and sold the rest to private buyers with conservation easements in place. The result is a large Natural Lands nature preserve and publicly accessible trail system surrounded by a unique conservation community.
Generosity from public partners at the state, county, and municipal levels; the William Penn Foundation; and more than 650 households from the Chester Springs area and beyond combined to make Bryn Coed Preserve possible.
Address
Visitor Hours
Friday-Wednesday: dawn to dusk Closed Thursdays. visitor guidelines
Features
Hiking
Historical Features
Seasonal Hunting
Bryn Coed Preserve has three parking lots, all of which are paved.
- The main parking lot (1869 Flint Road) has 38 spaces. The gate closes at dusk; it opens automatically to let cars out.
- The Beaver Hill Road parking lot has 11 spaces. The gate closes at dusk; it opens automatically to let cars out.
- The Miller Road parking lot has five spaces.
Visitors may also use the parking lot at West Vincent Township’s Opalanie Park and hike to Bryn Coed Preserve via the Red or Blue Trails.
Parking is free.
Accessible parking: The main parking lot (Flint Road) has two accessible spaces. The Beaver Hill Road parking lot has two accessible spaces. The Miller Road parking lot has one accessible space.
Trail surfaces: Trails are unpaved and range from grassy meadow trails to dirt woodland trails with some rocks and tree roots. Many trails include bridges or boardwalks. The grade ranges from flat to rolling hills.
Areas with gentle or no slope:
- There is an accessible trail that is approximately 80 yards long that begins at the Beaver Hill parking lot. The trail, which is indicated with a dashed gray line on the trail map, includes a scenic overlook
- To enjoy a grassy, one-mile loop that is relatively flat, start at the main parking lot at 1869 Flint Road. Head south on the Gray Trail that parallels Flint Road. At the trail intersection, bear left on the Red/Yellow Trail. This loop will take you past the Peacock Oak and back to the parking lot. see trail
Benches and rest areas: There are benches throughout the preserve with significant distance in between.
Motorized wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices are welcome for visitors with disabilities.
Service animals providing assistance for visitors with disabilities are welcome.
Learn more about accessibility at Natural Lands. accessibility
Sorry, there are no restrooms, picnic areas, or drinking fountains at Bryn Coed Preserve.
West Vincent Township’s Opalanie Park, which visitors can access via trails from Bryn Coed, offers a public restroom.
Trails are through both sunny meadows and shady woodlands and often include bridges or boardwalks. Check out the AllTrails app or website to find trail elevation, lengths, and reviews.
Bryn Coed on AllTrails- Leashes required. Pets are permitted but must be leashed at all times to keep people, other pets, and wildlife safe. No exceptions. Violators may be asked to leave.
- Leave no trace. Please leave all plants, flowers, animals, rocks, and artifacts for all visitors to enjoy.
- Take your trash. Please pick up all trash, even biodegradable materials like food scraps.
- Stick to trails. Please stay on designated trails to protect fragile plants, prevent erosion or wildlife disturbance, and reduce the chance of tick-borne illnesses.
- No motorized vehicles or mountain bikes. Motorized wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices are welcome for visitors with disabilities.
- No hunting, trapping, or fishing.
- No drones or professional photography.
- No picnicking or alcohol.
- The Peacock Oak, a state-champion white oak, along the Red/Yellow Trail
- Two scenic overlooks: one along the Yellow Dashed Trail and one just off the Beaver Hill Road parking lot (ADA accessible)
- Wetlands habitat traversed by boardwalk
- Extensive tree plantings that will mature into essential forest
- A trail connection to West Vincent Township’s Opalanie Park
photo gallery
Bryn Coed is home to 17 percent of the headwaters of the Pickering Creek. Its meadows, forests, and rolling hills make the perfect home for wildlife of all sorts.
Down. But Not Out.
December 10, 2024
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