Construction Begins On Controversial Deer Trail Path To Chester Valley Trail

Editor’s note: former Malvern Patch editor Pete Kennedy’s research contributed to this piece.

A contract has been awarded to construct a path to the Chester Valley Trail from Deer Run, East Whiteland Township announced.

Work began on October 5th and should be completed by the end of the month.

The path was a point of controversy as its details were ironed out in 2012.

The proposed path stirred opposition among some nearby homeowners. The path, partially funded by a PECO grant, links Deer Run Lane to the county trail via the Malin pumping station.

At a Board of Supervisors meeting, Kelly DiPrinzio, whose house is next to the site, said the path would put her three children in peril.

“The path will allow strangers unnecessary access to them, regardless of where the 8- to 10-foot-wide path rests. Even if you were to install a privacy fence, it will not provide the necessary protection and barrier for my family,” DiPrinzio said, reading a prepared statement. “We will be unable to spend any time alone outside without the constant presence, sight and noise of strangers. And when we are inside, we will still be forced to hear the noise from the path.”

Supervisor John Mott indicated that the matter was far from settled, in 2012.

“I never envisioned a 10-foot-wide paved path from Deer Run. So, long way to go on this one,” Mott said.

Residents who spoke at the meeting also expressed concerns that the access point would be publicized, leading to increased traffic and parking in the neighborhood. One man, who did not give his name, suggested asking other people in the neighborhood if they would want the path on their own properties.

“I would venture a guess you wouldn’t get an answer ‘Yes’ from anyone,” he said. “That being the case, it seems to me this is a case of the government and the community—those that are for this—ganging up on one person. It just doesn’t feel right.”

“We’re not here to bully any of the neighbors into anything. We’re taking a measured approach on this,” supervisor Bill Holmes said. “We understand that the DiPrinzios and [neighbor] Mr. Milton will be impacted more than anybody else in the neighborhood.”

Township manager Terry Woodman explained that the connector path was originally requested by residents of the same neighborhood at a meeting in 2010.

“They asked the township to consider making the connection to the trail, so that they could walk out their door, walk down the path and get on the Chester Valley Trail. That was probably two years ago. I don’t believe the DiPrinzios owned the house at the time.”

According to the February, 2012 supervisors’ meeting minutes, proponents assert that the Malin pumping station is the only viable public access option to get onto the trail for approximately 100 houses.