Jul. 12, 2024
WEST GROVE–Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) and the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, led by Vice Chairman Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), held a hearing on Tuesday regarding potential development of Big Elk Creek State Park by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR.) More than 160 members of the community attended the hearing at the new Avon Grove High School in Jennersville.
The hearing, “Big Elk Creek State Park,” featured an extensive list of in-person testifiers:
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John Hallas, State Parks director, DCNR.
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Hon. Andrew Dinniman, retired state senator, 19th Senatorial District.
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Hon. David Gerstenhaber, chairman, Franklin Township Board of Supervisors.
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Hon. Estace Walters, vice chairman, Elk Township Board of Supervisors.
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Hon. Eric Roe, Chester County commissioner.
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Anteia Consorto, Save Big Elk Creek.
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Gary Schroeder, founder, Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve.
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George Hundt Jr., executive director, Safety, Agriculture, Villages, and Environment.
Additional written testimony was submitted by others.
For months, residents and stakeholders have advocated for Big Elk Creek State Park to be maintained as a preserve, fighting against DCNR’s proposal to develop the park into a major tourist attraction. Several testifiers questioned DCNR’s ability to manage new infrastructure, given an existing billion-dollar backlog of outstanding maintenance needs across the state park system.
Testifiers spoke to the need of keeping the land undeveloped, with a focus on preserving natural landscapes, endangered species of plants, and the overall serenity. DCNR previously stated Big Elk Creek State Park would remain undeveloped to provide visitors with a wilderness experience but changed course in 2022 by announcing a significant project for the area that included a campground and RV hookups.
“I challenge DCNR and PA State Parks to take the lead by renaming the Big Elk a preserve,” said Gary Schroeder, founder of the Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve. “The White Clay Creek Preserve has become the model for decisions in Big Elk. Let’s acknowledge this and declare Big Elk a preserve following the successful White Clay model.”
“The decisions made today at DCNR headquarters in Harrisburg will have an impact on Southern Chester for the next 100 years,” said Lawrence. “This hearing highlighted concerns that must be addressed. I strongly urge DCNR to live up to the commitments made over the past decade and manage Big Elk Creek as a preserve.”
Click here to watch the complete hearing.
Representative John Lawrence
13th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
RepLawrence.com