Chesco Nature Preserve Shut Down Due To Overcrowding

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — The "overwhelming popularity" of a local nature preserve amid coronavirus has led it to be temporarily shut down.

The Great Marsh Uplands in East Nantmeal have been closed until further notice. The preserve, which is operated by the French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, had just opened up for the first time on May 11.

The preserve's opening was accelerated by several months due to the outbreak so that residents would have another outdoor recreation option. However, the idea soon proved to be too popular.

The Trust said that the township was concerned with visitor safety.

"To stay in compliance with their concerns, we have closed the gate to this preserve temporarily. We're sorry if you had big plans this weekend," they said Friday morning. "We will let you know as soon as we can reopen to visitors! We appreciate your support, and we hope to get through this bump in the road as quickly as possible, so you can get back into those big woods."

The preserve is located just off Conestoga Road.