With school finally coming to an end and the exciting season of summer approaching, many people are more than ready to escape their houses to go outside and enjoy the fresh air. In this article, we'll be showing you some of the best nature preserves to visit, located closest to Chester and Delaware County.
1. Stroud Preserve
Probably one of the best preserves and closest to the West Chester area, Stroud Preserve consists of over 571 acres of once-pastured grasslands, working farmlands and active woodlands. This wildlife habitat is a unique site filled with nine miles of unpaved trails, two acres of serpentine barrens and mile-long meadows filled with native grasses to Pennsylvania.
2. Kirkwood Preserve
The Kirkwood Preserve is an 83-acre grassland owned by the Willistown Conservation Trust, and is recognized by Audobon Pennsylvania Areas as an Important Bird Area (IBA). This park contains both pedestrian and equestrian trails, while acting as an important habitat and resting area for birds.
3. Hildacy Farm Preserve
One of the most interesting preserves to come across in Pennsylvania, the Hildacy Farm Preserve is virtually all that remains of William Penn's 1683 land grant, originally being over 300 acres. Today, you can wander through native grass meadows and woodland trails. At the preserve, you'll come across several species of birds and a number of flowing plants, adding a wild dash of vibrant colors to your walk.
4. Binky Lee Preserve
The expansive 112-acre Binky Lee Preserve was former agricultural land that is now being converted back into natural woodlands. Atop the parks popular hill, hikers can get a glimpse of Chester counties past underdeveloped woodlands and fields in all directions. Additionally, the land offers a variety of ecological conditions including grassy floodplain areas, warm and cold season grasslands and old field successions.
5. Wawa Preserve
Once owned and operated by Wawa for grazing dairy cattle, many people don't know you can hike this 77-acre preserve, now owned by Natural Lands Trust in partnership with Middletown Township. Visitors can enjoy a variety of trails and habitats, including sunny meadows and the Rocky Run Creek.
