Patterson Farm's Future Will Go Before The Public

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —Patterson Farm's future will receive some public input as the township has scheduled the first of three public forums.

Consultants working on the Patterson Farm Master Plan will be on hand for the In-Person Public Forum from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 26 at the Lower Makefield Township Community Center.

Township officials said it's the first of three sessions.

Under discussion is what to do with the future of the 243-acre, township-owned historic property between Route 295 and Mirror Lake Road.

Lower Makefield Township Supervisors awarded a $114,000 contract to Seiler and Drury of Norristown at its Feb. 15 meeting to develop the master plan.

The consultant will lead the township through architectural, engineering, and site planning for the farm, developing a long-range comprehensive master plan, Township Manager David Kratzer told Patch at that time.

"It's been an ongoing topic of conversation," Kratzer said. "We want to determine potential uses for the farm and get a better management of the property."

The farm was purchased for $7.2 million by the township in 1998 as open space from Tom and Alice Patterson. It consists of 234 acres and 15 buildings, some of which are historical and in need of repair, officials said.

Sam Stewart of Charlann Farms farms 173 acres of the land under a lease with the township, officials said.

Patterson Farm includes the historic Janney-Brown Farmstead that contains a Georgian-style stone house, stone/frame cottage, bank barn, and six outbuildings.

The non-profit Artists of Yardley (AOY), an art center that has more than 300 member artists, leases the stone house from the township and offers art classes, camps, exhibits, and shows.

Patterson Farm also includes the 5.6-acre Satterthwaite Farmstead that contains a Federal-style frame house, bank barn, and four outbuildings. A portion of that land is used for mulching leaves that are collected by the township.

Township officials said that many of the buildings on the Patterson Farm property need extensive structural and environmental repairs.

The township seeks a master plan that will preserve history and agriculture, include community use and support, and is fiscally responsible.

Township officials said the goals of the forum are to:

• Educate the community on the issues associated with the farm.
• Share some of the "early thinking" of consultants so far.
• Gather community input and reactions.
• Create greater community engagement in the planning process.

Residents can also submit suggestions, questions, observations, or feedback on the Patterson Farm Master Plan to Lower Makefield Township through the citizen portal.