Solebury Township has finalized the purchase of the 166-acre former New Hope Crushed Stone quarry property.
The acquisition, which includes the 75-acre lake in the quarry put, was completed with a net cost to the township of $1.6 million, which was less than the property’s appraised value of $3.66 million.
The reduction in cost to taxpayers was made possible by an easement agreement approved last week with the Solebury School, according to township officials.
Under the agreement, Solebury School gains non-exclusive access to potential hiking trails and eventual access to the lake for water sports. In exchange, the school contributed $1,654,429.59 toward the purchase price.
“Acquisition of this property with its pristine lake will undoubtedly prove to be a jewel in Solebury Township’s park system for generations to come,” Board of Supervisors Chairperson Mark Baum Baicker said during a special meeting where the easement was approved last week,
The property at 6970 Phillips Mill Road had been on the township’s radar since the New Hope Crushed Stone and Lime Quarry closed in 2019 after years of problems and neighbor complaints. The state had been involved in mitigation for years.
Solebury School Head Tom Wilschutz expressed gratitude for the partnership and pointed to the long-standing impact of the quarry on the school and township.
“I’ve been doing this job for 17 years, and for 17 years we have been wrestling with the quarry and the effects that the quarry had on our property and on the township,” Wilschutz said. “This marks an incredible closing of the circle to 17 years of effort.”
The township officially took ownership of the site on May 22 and has since implemented security measures, Township Manager Christopher Garges said.
Township officials have changed locks, secured buildings, updated entry gates, ordered security cameras, and increased police patrols.
A large warehouse-type structure on the property is slated to store public works equipment.
Officials said it will eliminate the need for a previously budgeted $350,000 storage facility for the Public Works Department.
Other buildings at the site could one day serve as offices or residences, officials said.
Fire companies have expressed interest in installing a hydrant on the property to access the lake for firefighting purposes, enhancing emergency water availability during droughts.
Emergency personnel are also interested in using the lake for water rescue training.
The township is actively seeking additional funding to further reduce the acquisition cost.
A Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) acquisition grant application seeking up to $1.2 million was submitted in April. A decision is expected by fall.
Supervisor Kevin Morrissey, who was recognized during the meeting for his 15-plus years of work on acquiring the property, noted the collaborative work on the site with the Solebury School.
“Back 16, 17 years ago, I was involved with a fledgling organization, Primrose Creek Watershed Association,” Morrissey said. “I know at that time you were very supportive of moving that organization and partnering with it.”
Baicker emphasized that a long-term plan for the property’s usage will take several years and require grants and outside funding.
Township officials previously stated the purchase allows them to control the future of the site and preserve the ecology of the lake, surrounding land, and the restored Primrose Creek environment.
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