First Patterson Farm Public Forum Monday

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —An Ad-hoc committee formed to fight for the preservation of historic Patterson Farm is urging residents to attend Monday's public forum on the property's future.

“Our goal is to keep Patterson Farm as a beloved agricultural, historical, and natural open space for the Lower Makefield community to enjoy for years to come,” said Dennis Steadman, chairman of the Ad-hoc Property Committee for Lower Makefield Township.

The committee is a group of non-partisan, resident volunteers and professionals organized at the request of the Lower Makefield Township to help shape the future of Patterson Farm and maintain its 300-plus year history.

Monday's forum is the first of three that will be held to shape the farm's future.

“This property needs significant investment by the township and the community to achieve this vision, so a critical step right now is to have rich and informed community input and dialog on these proposals,” Township Manager David Kratzer said.

The first public forum takes place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the Lower Makefield Township Community Center., 1550 Oxford Valley Rd.

At the forum, the professional team from Seiler + Drury Architecture of Norristown will be holding workshops to gather community input and reactions. It will be an open house for dialog and residents are invited to attend any portion of the Forum that fits their schedule.

The company was hired to put together a master plan on Patterson Farm.

Participants do not need to get there by 7 p.m. nor is it necessary to stay the full two hours, organizers said.

“Our team of professional architects, engineers, and land economists are working in earnest on achievable plans for a better future for Patterson Farm,” said Doug Seiler, principal of Seiler + Drury Architecture. “A key element to our success is a high level of engagement from the LMT community. Therefore, it is our hope to see as many people as possible on June 26th for this initial presentation of findings and ideas.”

The Patterson Farm on Mirror Lake Road at the entrance of Lower Makefield from Interstate 295 is a township resource for open space, farm fields, historic farmsteads, and natural beauty.

The property and buildings purchased by the township from Thomas and Alice Patterson in 1998 are mostly unavailable to the public due to active farming operations and the unsafe condition of most buildings, township officials said.

With the right focused investment, the historic Quaker farm can become a true long-lasting asset to the community: historically, agriculturally, environmentally, and educationally.

“The AHPC was formed because Patterson Farm is now at a crossroads. While the land is being farmed for local produce and other crops, the historic buildings have reached a condition where they must either be invested in and saved or the status quo will see them become non-viable,” Steadman said. “We hope residents will come and help us decide the future of this important historical and beautiful agricultural site.”

Interested community members are encouraged to attend all three Ad-hoc Property Committee public forums to share ideas, aspirations, and feedback on the future of Patterson Farm.

The following two meeting dates will be announced in the coming weeks.