A new public park is coming to Delaware County joining Middletown, Natural Lands and Chester Heights open space

Our Organization

Wawa Mountain Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving the remaining open space that once comprised the former Thatcher and Creek Farms located between US Rt. 1 and the Chester Creek. To effectuate this goal we will establish Locust Hill Gateway Park. The park’s administration will be in the old Thatcher farm house right along Rt.1. The trailhead at the farm house will have parking facilities. Following the Thatcher Trail will lead through deep forest clinging to the scenic ridge above the Creek. It is anticipated that there will be a bridge over the Creek to connect the Thatcher Trail to the Darlington Trail.

Wawa Mountain Foundation is supported by a Townsend family endowment. As our new park settles in we hope to offer public lectures, urban forestry courses and research funding.

We are conserving deep woodland for public use.

Our goal is preserve a unique selection of open space parcels all located between the Chester Creek and the Baltimore Pike. These parcels bring together Natural Lands Trust property, Middletown Township open space and Chester Heights parkland. As the final link we hope to construct a foot bridge across the Creek to the Darlington Trail.

The Strategy

You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself. As we finalize the application for 501 (c) 3 status we are funding a civil engineer study on placement for the foot bridge across the Creek. The bridge should be unobtrusive, practical and safe. Once the engineers report is submitted, we will consult with the Middletown Township Administration on placement and access. When the bridge is done, we can open the park. If this project is interests you please share your email address below and we will keep you posted.