Pennypack Park Meadow Conservation Underway In Hatboro

HATBORO, PA — Conservation efforts of the grassy area at the Pennypack Community Center are underway.

Officials are asking residents and visitors of Pennypack Park not to enter the meadow area as walking, sitting, playing or entering the area in any capacity can damage the fragile root systems of the native plants.

This can prevent healthy growth of the meadow and can prevent the meadow from flourishing in the future, officials said.

"We can understand it can be frustrating to see what looks like an empty, flagged-off area while soccer is being played nearby," borough officials said. "But what you are looking at is a living resource in its establishment phase. Native meadow plantings need time to develop the deep route systems that make them resilient and self-sustaining. Foot traffic during this period can damage emerging growth and set the planting back significantly. It takes time to establish a new natural resource."

Three years ago, the borough partnered with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to begin lawn-to-meadow and lawn-to-forestry projects in multiple areas of the borough.

Before the partnership, Borough Council reviewed each possible project and discussed qualifying areas during public meetings and through a virtual public workshop held on Facebook.

Through this program, DCNR converts presently maintained lawn to actively managed upland forest or perennial native meadow which helps to provide clean water and wildlife habitats as well as increases biodiversity in the affected areas, officials said.

The first area selected for meadow conversion by DCNR is the grassy area of Spring Avenue at the Pennypack Property (also known as the 7 buildable lots).

The meadow itself was installed in the fall of 2024.

Because it takes time for root systems of plants to become fully established, the meadow can look like regular grass in some areas, officials said.

Residents that have any questions or concerns are encouraged to call Borough Hall at 215-443-9100.