schwenksville borough

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SCHWENKSVILLE BOROUGH

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

DRAFT - August 2005

SCHWENKSVILLE OPEN SPACE PLAN

SCHWENKSVILLE BOROUGH OFFICIALS MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

MAYOR Carroll Rosenberger

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEMBERS H. Gilbert Williams, President

Donald Whitko, Vice-President

Gene Frantz

Barbara Slater Raymond Yeanish

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE Barbara Augustine

Ellen Brinton

James Caprio

Crystal Gilchrist Melissa Kratz

Roy Miller

Joseph O’Neil

Wendi Rowley

Captain Samuel Schweigert

Richard Sheppard Jr.

H. Gilbert Williams

MANAGER F. Thomas Snyder

BOROUGH ENGINEER Adam Supplee

Centennial Street, Cover Background

Perkiomen Trail, Cover Foreground

Credit: Montgomery County Planning Commission and Carroll Engineering

Please note that maps in this document do not reflect the latest Borough street maps.


SCHWENKSVILLE BOROUGH

OPEN SPACE PLAN

AUGUST 2005

This report was partially funded by The Montgomery County Green Fields/Green Towns Program

Montgomery County Planning Commission


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TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE 1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 4 REGIONAL SETTING 4 EXISTING LAND USE ANALYSIS 4 Residential 4 Commercial/Office 4 Industrial 5 Institutional 5 Parks/Recreation 5 Utilities 5 Agriculture 5 Undeveloped 5 Conclusion 5 COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 8 Population 8 Population Projections 9 Household Types 9 Education 9 Age 10 Income 10 Special Needs Groups 10 Housing Types 12 Occupation 12 Employment Forecast 14 Major Employers in Schwenksville 14 STATUS OF RELEVANT PLANS

CHAPTER 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES 17 THE 1996 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN 18 THE 2005 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN 19 2005 Goals and Objectives


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CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND 23 PERMANENTLY PROTECTED LAND 23 Municipal Open Space 24 Perkiomen Trail 24 TEMPORARILY PROTECTED LAND 24 Act 319 24 Act 515 24 Institutional 24 Homeowner’s Association Lands 24 CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES 27 GEOLOGY 28 TOPOGRAPHY 28 Steep Slopes 29 Watersheds and Drainage Areas 30 SOILS 30 Hydric Soils 30 Alluvial Soils 30 SURFACE WATERS AND HYDROLOGY 30 Floodplain and Stream Corridors 29 Hydrology 31 VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE 31 Woodlands 32 SCENIC RESOURCES 32 HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES

39 BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS 40 GREENWAY ELEMENTS 40 Stream Corridors 40 Woodlands 40 Steep Slopes 40 FEMA Floodplains 41 Wetlands 41 Hydric Soils 41 POTENTIAL LINKAGES 41 Potential Greenway Corridors 41 Existing County Trails 43 Proposed County Trails 43 Other Pedestrian Connections

CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF UNPROTECTED RESOURCES 45 ANALYSIS OF VULNERABLE RESOURCES 46 PRIORITIZATION OF AREAS FOR PRESERVATION 46 Hydrologic Resources 46 Sensitive Upland Resources 46 Historic and Culturally Sensitive Resources

CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS 49 POPULATION, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS 49 SCHWENKSVILLE’S FUTURE GROWTH AREAS

CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS 55 EVALUATING OPEN SPACE NEEDS


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56 PARK TYPES 56 OPEN SPACE NEEDS 57 LOCATIONAL NEEDS 59 GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PROTECTION

CHAPTER 9 EVALUATION OF COUNTY AND ABUTTING MUNICIPAL PLANS 61 COMPARISON TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAND USE PLAN AND OPEN SPACE PLAN 62 RELATION TO PLANS OF ABUTTING MUNICIPALITIES

CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS: PRESERVATION PRIORITIES 65 PARK DEVELOPEMENT 66 PASSIVE RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION 67 GREENWAYS/TRAILS 67 EVALUATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS 67 ACQUISITION METHODS

CHAPTER 11 OPTIONAL PLAN ELEMENTS 73 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 74 Revitalization Goals and Objectives 74 Park and Open Space Enhancement 75 Trees 75 Environmental Enhancement 75 HERITAGE RESOURCE CONSERVATION 75 Historic Resource Protection Goals 77 MUNICIPAL TRAIL AND PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT 77 Trail Plan Goals

CHAPTER 12 RECOMMENDATIONS: NON-ACQUISITION PROTECTION METHODS 83 INCENTIVE ZONING 83 NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION ORDINANCES 83 Floodplains 84 Stream Corridors 84 Wetlands 84 Groundwater 84 Steep Slopes 84 Woodlands 84 DONATIONS OF PROPERTIES FOR PERMANENT OPEN SPACE 85 REQUIRING OPEN SPACE IN DEVELOPMENTS OR A FEE IN LIEU OF OPEN SPACE 85 HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCES 85 SCHWENKSVILLE ACTIONS

CHAPTER 13 IMPLEMENTATION 87 BACKGROUND 91 FUNDING SOURCES 94 SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS


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LIST OF FIGURES CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE 2 Figure 1 Regional Setting 3 Figure 2 Aerial of Schwenksville Borough 6 Figure 3 Existing Land Use 7 Figure 4 Existing Land Use: 2004 8 Figure 5 Population Classification 8 Figure 6 Population Projection 9 Figure 7 Household Types 10 Figure 8 Education Level 11 Figure 9 Age Profile 12 Figure 10 Income Levels (1999$) 12 Figure 11 Special Needs Groups 13 Figure 12 Housing Types 14 Figure 13 Labor Force by Occupation 14 Figure 14 Employment Forecast 15 Figure 15 Major Employers: 2005

CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND 25 Figure 16 Existing and Temporarily Protected Land

CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE RESOURCES 28 Figure 17 Geology 29 Figure 18 Steep Slopes 30 Figure 19 Watersheds 31 Figure 20 Alluvial and Hydric Soils 32 Figure 21 FEMA Floodplains and Wetlands 33 Figure 22 Woodlands 34 Figure 23 Historic and Cultural Resources 35 Figure 24 Historic Resources


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CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES 42 Figure 25 Greenway Elements 44 Figure 26 Potential Open Space Linkages

CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF UNPROTECTED RESOURCES 47 Figure 27 Unprotected Resources

CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS 50 Figure 28 Population Projection 50 Figure 29 Employment Forecast 51 Figure 30 Housing Types 52 Figure 31 Projected Housing Demand 53 Figure 32 Future Land Use Plan

CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF OPEN SPACE NEEDS 57 Figure 33 Minimum Open Space Needs 58 Figure 34 Open Space Needs

CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS: PRESERVATION PRIORITIES 67 Figure 35 Proposed Open Space Preservation Priority 69 Figure 36 Existing Public Open Space and Proposed Open Space Preservation Priorities

CHAPTER 11 OPTIONAL PLAN ELEMENTS 74 Figure 37 Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Transportation Initiative Green City Strategy 76 Figure 38 Historic and Cultural Resources 78 Figure 39 Existing Sidewalks 81 Figure 40 Trail Plan

CHAPTER 13 IMPLEMENTATION 88 Figure 41 Implementation Timeline

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SCHWENKSVILLE DRAFT OPEN SPACE PLAN - AUGUST 2005

CHAPTER 1 COMMUNITY PROFILE

COMMUNITY CONTEXT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Schwenksville Borough was originally part of Perkiomen Township which was settled in the late 1600s.

Schwenksville has continued to grow throughout the past 300 years. George Schwenk is considered to

be one of the founding residents of the Borough, but it is his father, Hans Michael Schwenk, is for whom

the Borough is named. After the railroad reached Schwenksville, visitors came to Schwenksville to spend

time on the Perkiomen Creek. An observatory and amusement park were other attractions that drew

visitors to Schwenksville during this time period. In 1903, Schwenksville became an incorporated

borough. The majority of Schwenksville’s growth in population and land area has come in the past fifty

years. The Borough increased in size as a result of the sewer plant and also in 1972, when land was

annexed from Lower Frederick Township and when the Spring Mountain Summit Apartments complex

was constructed.

Schwenksville has an industrial past, as Pennsylvania’s first copper mine was operated here in the late 1600s, and

many of the buildings that are now apartments and stores were once mills. Some of these mills were dedicated

to grain grinding and others were devoted to textiles and manufacturing. The Pennypacker Mills, a historic and

cultural attraction, is one of the most famous local examples of early industry in Schwenksville. Proximity to

Philadelphia and other cities, strengthened by transportation links, have been catalysts for growth, creating a rich

context for Schwenksville to flourish. The prosperity of industrial structures made Schwenksville more of a

commercial rather than residential district. Schwenksville has been a part of the region early on when it was the

location of one of the first joint school districts which included Lower Frederick, Perkiomen, and Schwenksville.

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Figure 1 Regional Setting

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0 800 1,600400 Feet

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MontgomeryCountyPlanningCommissionMontgomery County Courthouse - Planning CommissionPO Box 311 Norristown PA 19404-0311(p) 610.278.3722 (f) 610.278.3941www.montcopa.org/plancom

Base map August 2004

This map is based on 2000 ortho photography and official sources. Property lines were compiledfrom individual block maps from the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, with no verificationfrom the deed. This map is not meant to be used as a legal definition of properties or for engineering purposes.

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Figure 2 Aerial of Schwenksville Borough

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REGIONAL SETTING Occupying less than one square mile,

Schwenksville is a small borough in Montgomery

County. Originally part of Perkiomen Township,

Schwenksville became an incorporated

municipality in 1903. The Borough is surrounded

by the townships of Perkiomen, Upper Salford, and Lower Frederick, and part of the Perkiomen

Trail runs through the southeastern portion of

Schwenksville. This trail was developed on the

former rail tracks of the Reading Railroad and

opened in late 2003. As a railroad, it was once a

major transportation link throughout the region

that ceased to provide passenger services in 1960. Now, the trail reconnects Schwenksville with other

communities making the Borough a gateway to

the Perkiomen Trail.

The Borough grew in size in 1972 when the

Highland Terrace residential development was

annexed from Lower Frederick Township. This

development is in the northwestern potion of

Schwenksville and constituted a sizable land

addition, as well as population growth.

Schwenksville’s primary transportation link is Route

73/29, which provides a connection to Route 422, allowing residents to reach Pottstown, King

of Prussia, and other major roads such as

Interstates 76 and 276. These links help

Schwenksville residents access Allentown,

Philadelphia, and Reading, all of which are within

a 35 mile radius. Schwenksville residents are

thereby linked to major shopping centers and have access to development and employment

centers in the county and beyond.

Together with the municipalities of Collegeville,

Lower Frederick, Perkiomen, Trappe, and Upper

Frederick, Schwenksville is a part of the Central

Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission.

These municipalities work together to determine

areas of growth and preservation in an effort to

fight sprawl and to save open space.

Most of the land in Schwenksville has mostly been

developed, with minimal remaining open space. Open space that does remain in Schwenksville is

generally owned by Montgomery County, vacant

residential lots, or community open space

belonging to residential developments. However,

with the addition of the Perkiomen Trail,

Schwenksville Borough has retained more open

space through rail-to-trail redevelopment.

EXISTING LAND USE ANALYSIS The Existing Land Use Analysis is the second part

of the Community Profile Chapter for the

Schwenksville Open Space Plan. This analysis

focuses on the current land uses within the

municipality, enabling a more in-depth focus of municipal land use patterns. In addition to the

Existing Land Use Map (Figure 3), Figure 4 details

the acreage of each category. These numbers are

useful in understanding changes in land use

patterns and help to identify potential open space

and/or recreational needs.

RESIDENTIAL

The majority of land in Schwenksville is devoted to

residential uses, encompassing most types of

residential development. An estimated 60 percent

or 140 acres of land are used for residential uses.

Schwenksville has long been a residential

community with minimal-to-moderate amounts of land being used for commercial and industrial

uses and this data supports that trend.

Schwenksville maintains a diversity of

residential housing units, although the majority

are multifamily buildings of at least five units

and single-family detached units. The largest

clusters of residential development are in the

northern area of the Borough, off Summit

Avenue and in the center of the southern area, below Centennial Street.

COMMERCIAL/OFFICE

Commercial and office land uses in Schwenksville

occupy a minimal amount of land. Most of these

uses are clustered around Main Street (Route 29),

and account for just 6 percent of all land uses in Schwenksville. The Perkiomen Trail runs through

the heart of the commercial district.

The 14.94 acres that constitutes all commercial

and office developments in Schwenksville

constitutes all retail, office, and mixed uses within

the Borough.

INDUSTRIAL

Industry is Schwenksville’s smallest land use, accounting for less than one percent of the total

land use within the Borough. Roughly 0.72 acres

comprise the industrial uses, all of which are

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clustered along the eastern corridor of the Borough. In the past fifty years,

Schwenksville’s industry has sharply declined as

many of its former mills have been converted

into offices or apartments.

INSTITUTIONAL

At just under 31 acres, institutional land use is the

second most common land use in Schwenksville,

accounting for approximately 13 percent overall.

Much of this land belongs to area churches and

the Perkiomen Valley School District. All

institutional land is clustered in the central and

southern portions of the Borough, with general proximity to Second Street.

PARKS/RECREATION

Accounting for 8 percent of all land use in

Schwenksville are parks and recreational areas.

Since the last plan, Schwenksville has gained

significantly in terms of park and recreation lands through the Perkiomen Trail, part of which

threads through Schwenksville.

UTILITIES

Utilities account for 2 percent of land in

Schwenksville—approximately 6 acres. These

parcels are owned by entities such as Bell Atlantic and Philadelphia Electric Company. Other parcels

of land for utilities use are owned by the

Schwenksville Borough Authority. In addition,

there are four cell towers in the Borough (on

Borough Authority land) including one tower

which is part of Montgomery County’s 911

communication system.

AGRICULTURE

Agricultural lands are clustered along the western

edge of Schwenksville, bordering with Perkiomen

Township. These lands account for 11 acres (5

percent) of all the land uses within the Borough.

UNDEVELOPED

In Schwenksville, there are roughly 11 acres of

unutilized land. These lands, which account for 5

percent of all land uses in the Borough, are

scattered throughout the community. Most of the

undeveloped category are vacant residential lots

that are privately owned. One of the most

significant parcel in this category is the Clemens tract on Centennial Street.

CONCLUSION

By breaking down the land uses in

Schwenksville, it paints a picture of a Borough

that is primarily residential, with limited commerce and industry, and of one that is has

developed the majority of its land. Institutional

lands, belonging to religious institutions and

the school district, show that the residents of

Schwenksville are connected to a greater

community that extends beyond their borders.

Although Schwenksville has developed most of its

lands, open space is also important to the

residents, as there is a considerable amount—8 percent of all land is dedicated to parks and

recreation. Additional open space exists in the

Borough in the form of undeveloped land

(although minimal), and agricultural land,

bringing the total of open space lands in

Schwenksville to approximately 18 percent.

In the past one hundred years, the population of

Schwenksville has grown astronomically—from

350 residents at the time of municipal

incorporation to nearly 1,700 at present. As a result of development, there are minimal vacant

lands left in the Borough, and any new

development would be primarily in the form of

redevelopment, as Schwenksville is making strides

to protect what open space it already has.

COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS The Community Demographic Analysis consists of

information relating to Schwenksville’s population,

housing, and economic conditions. With few

exceptions, the source of the information is the

decennial U.S. Census and Montgomery County

Census Reports.

Demographic characteristics provide insight when

planning for open space preservation and

recreational development. They can assist in determining not only how much land should be

preserved, but also where. Additionally, this

information can further assist a municipality in

determining what type of recreational facilities, if

any, should be placed in the preserved land.

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GAME FARM RD

4TH ST

3RD

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CENTENNIAL ST

CHURCH

PARK AVE

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WALNUT ST

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PERKIOMEN AVE

PLEASANTVIEW AVE

CLEARFIELD AVE

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SUM

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WOODLA

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MINE HILL RD

4TH ST

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Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Institutional

Utilties

Undeveloped

Open Space

Agriculture

Water

Figure 3 Existing Land Use

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Figure 4 Existing Land Use: 2004

Land Use 2004

Acres % Total Residential 139.72 60%

Commercial/Office 14.94 6%

Industrial 0.72 0%

Institutional 30.81 13%

Parks/Recreation/OS 17.63 8%

Utilities 5.64 2%

Agriculture 11.11 5%

Water N/A

Total Developed 220.57 95%

Total Undeveloped 10.59 5%

Total Acreage* 231.16 100%

Source: Montgomery County Planning Commission Land Use Maps. * Discrepancies due to digitization of parcel information.

2004 Land Use

0%

13%

60%

6%

2%

5%

8%

5%Residential

Commercial/Office

Industrial

Institutional

Parks/Recreation/OS

Utilities

Agriculture

Undeveloped

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POPULATION

The rate of municipal population change (relative

population increase or decrease) is an important

measure of the magnitude of population change that has occurred over time. Figure 5 shows

population trends in the Borough.

Between 1990-2000, the Borough experienced a

population increase of about 350 people, or an

average of 35 new residents each year. This trend

has been continuing since 1960, when

population began to increase steadily, starting at

620 and reaching the current population of just

under 1,700.

In the course of the next 20 years, the population is projected to continue increasing incrementally.

In fact, if projections hold true, the population

would basically stabilize around 1,700 people. In

general, projections are based on several factors,

including past levels of development, recently

proposed development, proximity to employment centers, available land, and public facilities

(particularly sewers).

POPULATION PROJECTIONS

Schwenksville’s population has grown since the

1990 Census, defying projections made in 1996

that the population would experience minor

Figure 5 Population Classification

Population Type 1990 2000 % Change

Number % Total Number % Total 1980 to 1990

Household Population 1,273 96.0% 1,332 78.7% 4.6% Group Quarters Population 53 4.0% 361 21.3% 581.1% Total Population 1,326 100% 1,693 100% 27.7%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population and Housing, 1990, 2000.

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500

1000

1500

2000

1990

2000

2005

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2010

*

2015

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2020

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2025

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Figure 6 Population Projection

Year Population 1990 1,326 2000 1,693 2005* 1,690 2010* 1,690 2015* 1,690 2020* 1,690 2025* 1,700

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population and Housing, 2000; DVRPC projections.

* Projected population

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Figure 7 Household Types

Household Types 1990

% Total 2000

% Total % Change

Number Number 1990 to 2000

Married Couples with Children 142 27.8% 108 17.3% -23.9%

Married Couples with No Children 141 27.6% 130 20.8% -7.8%

Single Parent 34 6.7% 54 8.6% 58.8%

Other Family 21 4.1% 35 5.6% 66.7%

1 Person Non-family Households 137 26.8% 251 40.1% 83.2%

2+ Person Non-family Household 36 7.0% 48 7.7% 33.3%

Total No. of Households 511 100% 626 100% 22.5%

Average People per Household 2.49 2.13 -14.6%


declines from 1990 to 2020, when it was

projected that the population would remain

between 1,200 and 1,300 people. From 2000 to

2025, the Borough population is expected to stabilize around its current population. Figure 6

further illustrates this.

At present, Schwenksville’s population is hovering

around the 1,700 mark. It is projected that this

population will remain roughly the same for the

next twenty years.

HOUSEHOLD TYPES

In the past fifteen years, there have been significant changes to household types in

Schwenksville as shown by Figure 7. Nationally,

traditional households of married couples with or

without children have been declining, while the

number of single parent and non-family

households have been steadily increasing.

In a direct correlation to Schwenksville’s

population increases, the total number of all

households within the municipality has increased by 22.5 percent according to the 1990 and 2000

Census Reports.

The household type that has seen the greatest

increase is the household of a single individual.

This demographic nearly doubled in ten years,

with Schwenksville gaining 114 individual

households during this time period.

EDUCATION

As Schwenksville’s population grew in the period of

time between 1990 and 2000, its population became

better educated overall. During this time period, the

percentage of residents with less than a ninth grade

education declined by 37 percent, and the number

of college graduates rose by 11 percent.

However, there was a rise in the number of

individuals who have a high school education but

have not received a graduating degree—an increase of 15 percent. Those that have

graduated from high school, but did not go on to

higher education are the sound majority of

Schwenksville’s residents, comprising 38.2 percent

of the population according to the 2000 Census.

While high school graduates are the majority,

roughly one quarter of the residents have

obtained a higher-education degree of some

kind—associate, bachelor, graduate or professional, strengthening Schwenksville’s

resident worker pool. Specific figures can be

viewed in Figure 8.

AGE

Population changes were reflected in the

Census breakdown of resident age, as shown in Figure 9, as the age demographic of 1-24

more than tripled between 1990 and 2000,

making this age group the dominant

demographic bracket within the Borough.

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During this time period, most age brackets grew in size, but two demographics declined

significantly. The number of newborns and

toddlers (ages 0 to 4) within Schwenksville

dropped by nearly half in the period of time

between censuses. Also experiencing a

substantial decline was the 25-34 demographic, which also declined by roughly 40 percent in the

same amount of time.

The influx of younger adults is countered by residents of 45 and older, all of whom account for

a combined 28.3 percent of the population,

although the median age remained at age 30.

INCOME

Median household incomes in Schwenksville rose by 28 percent, or just under $10,000 as

determined by the two latest census reports. Per

capita income also rose over the ten year period

by a margin of 33 percent. These figures are

further illustrated by Figure 10.

These changes in income levels may be indicative

of the greater numbers of Borough residents

holding degrees of higher education and of a

labor force that is more highly skilled, as the

numbers of residents without a high school diploma or equivalent have declined overall.

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS

The number of special needs individuals in

Schwenksville has increased since 1990 by

approximately 27 percent. While some statistical data is missing from both the 1990 and 2000

censuses, there are now more individuals with

disabilities and special needs in the Borough.

Overall, the numbers of elderly (ages 65 and

older) with special needs has increased by 46

percent between 1990 and 2000. While the

number of special needs individuals under the age

of 18 has declined by nearly 8 percent in the

same time frame, this age bracket is still the largest cohort of all the special needs demographics. The

special needs figures are illustrated by Figure 11.

HOUSING TYPES

Schwenksville has a fairly diverse mix of housing

types, encompassing single-family and multifamily

homes, as represented by Figure 12. Multifamily houses accommodating five or more families are

the most prevalent housing type within the

Borough, accounting for 41 percent of all housing

according to the 2000 Census.

Single-family homes are the second most

common type of housing in Schwenksville,

accounting for nearly 33 percent of the

Figure 8 Education Level

Educational Level 1990 2000 % Change

Number % Total Number % Total 1990-2000

Less than 9th grade 54 6.2% 34 3.6% -37.0%

9th through 12th grade, no diploma 104 12.0% 120 12.7% 15.4%

High school graduate (includes equivalency) 349 40.3% 360 38.2% 3.2%

Some college, no degree 144 16.6% 188 19.9% 30.6%

Associate degree 53 6.1% 54 5.7% 1.9%

Bachelor's degree 127 14.6% 141 15.0% 11.0%

Graduate or Professional degree 36 4.2% 46 4.9% 27.8%

Total Pop. 25 years and older 867 100% 943 100% 8.8%


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Figure 9 Age Profile

Age 1990

% Total 2000

% Total %Change

Number Number 1990-2000

0-4 136 10.3% 78 4.6% -42.6%

5-17 189 14.3% 222 13.1% 17.5%

18-24 134 10.1% 449 26.5% 235.1%

25-34 340 25.6% 201 11.9% -40.9%

35-44 172 13.0% 264 15.6% 53.5%

45-54 111 8.4% 162 9.6% 45.9%

55-64 92 6.9% 95 5.6% 3.3%

65-74 70 5.3% 91 5.4% 30.0%

75+ 82 6.2% 131 7.7% 59.8%

Total 1,326 100% 1693 100% 27.7%

Median Age 30.4 30.2


Age/Sex Pyramid

300 200 100 0 100 200 300

0-4

18-24

35-44

55-64

75+

Ag

e G

rou

ps

2000 Female

2000 Male

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housing stock as calculated by the most recent Census.

Between 1900 and 2000, the number of single-family attached houses has declined by 5.7

percent and the number of mobile home units

went from five to zero.

OCCUPATION

The breakdown of occupational positions held

by Schwenksville residents is fairly diverse. The majority of Schwenksville’s resident work force

are employed in clerical, office, and

professional sectors, accounting for a

combined 41 percent of all employed residents

(shown in Figure 13).

Other occupations, such as construction, the service

sector, and production all account for at least ten

percent of the workforce population. Farming

accounts for the fewest employed residents.

Slightly under half of Schwenksville’s residents are

employed, which can be explained by the fact

that significant portions of the Borough population are of retirement age or are under

working age.

More of Schwenksville’s residents are working in

white-collar jobs, possibly on account of more

Borough residents receiving levels of higher

education and that increasing numbers of

residents are graduating from high school.

However, traditionally blue-collar jobs are still

prominent occupations throughout the Borough.

EMPLOYMENT FORECAST

The rate of employment throughout the Borough

is expected to stabilize alongside the population

during the next twenty years. While there are

significant numbers of younger residents that will reach working age during this time period, this

will be countered by older residents retiring from

their jobs and leaving the work force. This

forecast is provided by the Delaware Valley

Regional Planning Commission. However, the

current work force is smaller than predicted,

Figure 10 Income Levels (1999 $)

Income 1989 1999 % Change

Per Capita $14,794 $19,679 33.0%

Median Household $34,828 $44,514 27.8%


Figure 11 Special Needs Groups

Special Needs Group 1990 2000 % Change


Persons 16-64 with Disabilities 194 11.5% N/A

Persons 16-64 with Mobility and Self Care Limitations 15 1.1% N/A

Over 65 Years of Age 152 11.5% 222 13.1% 46.1%

Under 18 Years of Age 325 24.5% 300 17.7% -7.7%

Income Below Poverty Level 64 4.8% 71 4.2% 10.9%

Total Population 1,326 1,693 27.7%


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Figure 12 Housing Types

Housing Types 1990 2000 % Change


Single-family Detached 194 35.7% 217 32.8% 11.9%

Single-family Attached 70 12.9% 74 11.2% 5.7%

Multifamily (2-4 Units) 74 13.6% 98 14.8% 32.4%

Multifamily (5 or More Units) 200 36.8% 273 41.2% 36.5%

Mobile Home/Trailer/Other 5 0.9% 0 0.0% -100.0%

Total Housing Units 543 100% 662 100% 21.9%


Housing Types Comparison

35.7%

13.6%

36.8%

12.9%

0.9%

11.2%

14.8%

41.2%

32.8%

0.0%0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Single-

family

Det

ached

Single-

family

Atta

ched

Mult

ifam

ily (2

-4 U

nits)

Mult

ifam

ily (5

or M

ore U

nits)

Mob

ile H

ome/

Traile

r/Oth

er

1990

2000

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showing a small decline from 1990 levels. These figures are shown in Figure 14.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS IN SCHWENKSVILLE

The top ten major employers in the Borough are

indicated in Figure 15. The largest employer is the

Colonnade of Schwenksville followed by the

Perkiomen Valley School District.

STATUS OF RELEVANT PLANS CENTRAL PERKIOMEN VALLEY REGIONAL PLAN

Schwenksville is a member of the Central

Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission

which adopted their regional comprehensive

plan in June 2005. The region in addition to Schwenksville includes: Collegeville Borough,

Figure 13 Labor Force by Occupation

Occupation 2000

Number % Total Management 80 11.0% Professional 143 19.8% Sales 72 9.9% Clerical/Office 154 21.3% Construction 83 11.5% Production/Transportation 100 13.8% Farming 3 0.4% Services 89 12.3% Total 724 100%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population and Housing, 2000.

Figure 14 Employment Forecast

Year Total Employment

1990 747

2000 750

2005* 750

2010* 750

2015* 750

2020* 750

2025* 750

*Source: DVRPC Forecasts

745746747748749750751

1990

2000

2005

*

2010

*

2015

*

2020

*

2025

*

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Lower Frederick Township, Perkiomen Township, Trappe Borough, and Upper Frederick Township.

A major goal of the regional comprehensive plan

is to encourage investment in open space. The

plan also indicates a focus on the Perkiomen Trail

and the creation of additional regional trail

linkages, as well as to develop and improve existing parkland and to develop active and

passive recreational opportunities in the region.

ZONING ORDINANCE

Schwenksville recently adopted a Natural

Resource Protection Standards ordinance that will

help limit development on important natural features. Schwenksville also has a Floodplain

Conservation District. In addition, Schwenksville

has two village commercial districts for its main

street area that helps protect the historic structures

in the Borough. The community’s open space

areas are zoned for recreation.

JOINT OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN

Schwenksville and Upper Salford Township joined

together to develop their open space plan in

accordance with the Montgomery County Open

Space Program guidelines in 1996. Jointly the two communities purchased the Spring Mountain

House property. More discussion of the plan

occurs in Chapter 2 as well as throughout this

planning document.

SWAMP CREEK STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

Schwenksville is participating in the Act 167

Stormwater Management Plan with Lower Frederick,

Upper Frederick, Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper

Pottsgrove, New Hanover, and Douglass, and seven

communities in Berks County.

REVITALIZATION PLAN

Schwenksville created a Revitalization Plan in

accordance with Montgomery County Community

Revitalization Program in 2002. The plan entitled

“Schwenksville: Gateway to the Perkiomen Trail:

Pennsylvania’s First Greenway Community”

indicates that the Perkiomen Trail is the centerpiece for the community and its economic

development. Schwenksville later trademarked

that logo for the community. The revitalization

plan discusses trail gateways and access locations

throughout the Borough, trailhead parking,

Figure 15Major Employers: 2005

Employer Industry Employees

1 Colonnade of Schwenksville Retirement Community 160

2 Perkiomen Valley School District Education 80

3 Liberty Ministries Charity 42

4 PMA Medical Specialist Medical Practice 25

5 Jerusalem Lutheran Nursery Education 22

6 Louis P. Sigel & Son, Inc. Insurance 15

7 Medical Component, Inc. Manufacturing/Distribution 12

8 Schwenksville Borough Authority Infrastructure 11

9 Robert Slater, Inc. Excavating 10

10 Univest Corporation Bank 7

Schwenksville Borough Logo

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directory signage, and linkages to the Perkiomen

Trail including a pedestrian bridge from the

Borough to Pennypacker Mills. One of the major

focuses of the plan, in addition, is the creation of a Perkiomen Trailhouse a mix of retail and residential

uses on the former lumberyard property site,

which would cater to trail users as well as draw

area residents.

DRAFT MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Montgomery County is currently updating its

comprehensive plan. The last plan was adopted

in 1979. The adopted Vision Plan discusses revitalizing main streets, creating greenway

systems, developing a county network of

interconnected trails, providing park facilities to

meet the public recreation’s needs, protecting

scenic viewsheds, and protecting historic

resources and cultural landscapes. The remaining

comprehensive plan elements is scheduled for adoption in Fall 2005.

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CHAPTER 2 GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The Goals and Objectives Chapter of the Schwenksville Open Space Plan provides a discussion on the

1996 Open Space and Environmental Resource Protection Plan’s goals and objectives. The chapter also

provides a series of new goals and objectives for the 2005 plan.

THE 1996 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN The Borough of Schwenksville completed the

Open Space and Environmental Resource

Protection Plan in 1996. At that time, a series of goals and objectives were developed to

address issues regarding the preservation of

open space and the protection of

environmental resources. As a part of the

update process required by the Montgomery

County Open Space Program, Schwenksville

has evaluated its previous goals and objectives to address whether the goals are still valid and

to evaluate why some of the last plan's

recommendations were not implemented.

Below are listed the previous goals and

objectives with accompanying explanation of

their status.

SCHWENKSVILLE’S GOALS

• Identify, Protect, and Preserve Vulnerable

Natural Resources

Working with Montgomery County, lands up and downstream from the Borough park and along the Perkiomen Creek were acquired by the County through fee simple or conservation easement for the creation of the Perkiomen Trail. The Perkiomen Trail opened in the Borough in fall of 2003. In addition, the Spring Mountain House property was purchased with Upper Salford Township with a 2000 grant from the Montgomery County Open Space Program. A 7-acre portion of the Spring Mountain House property, in Perkiomen Township, has not been acquired. This portion of the property contains some important natural features and Schwenksville Borough would support acquisition of this property by Perkiomen Township or by some other means.

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• Explore Recreation Opportunities

The Perkiomen Trail has added to the

recreation opportunities in the Borough.

Additionally, the Borough has explored grant

opportunities for the creation of a park on Centennial Street. The Borough would also

welcome future trail connections to the

Perkiomen Trail such as the Sunrise Trail and

the Evansburg Trail. Schwenksville is currently

exploring a pedestrian connection linking

Pennypacker Mills to the Borough.

• Identify, Preserve, and Enhance Scenic

Resources in the Borough

Schwenksville recently passed a Natural

Resource Protection Standards Ordinance

which will help to protect the scenic resources

in the Borough.

• Identify and Preserve Historic Structures and Sites

An inventory of historic structures and sites

has been completed for Schwenksville.

Additionally, the Borough created two zoning

districts, Village Commercial 1 and Village Commercial 2 which will help protect the

historic structures within the community.

JOINT GOALS

As a part of the last plan, Schwenksville and Upper

Salford Township developed joint goals described

below.

• General (related to natural resources)

Schwenksville is participating in the Swamp Creek Watershed Stormwater Plan with Lower Frederick, Upper Frederick, Limerick, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, New Hanover, and Douglass, and seven communities in Berks County. The community also adopted the Natural Resources Protection Standards Ordinance to limit development on important natural features in the Borough.

Schwenksville will look into other regulations

that will help protect its natural features.

• Join with Adjacent Communities to Increase

Protection of Natural Areas

Schwenksville coordinated with Montgomery County in the development of the Perkiomen

Trail. The Spring Mountain House property was purchased with Upper Salford Township with a 2000 grant from the Montgomery County Open Space Program.

In addition, Schwenksville is a member of the

Central Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning

Commission which includes the communities

of Collegeville, Lower Frederick, Perkiomen,

Trappe, and Upper Frederick.

• Conduct Community Education for

Preservation of Open Space Resources

As a part of the municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) requirements, Schwenksville will be educating its residents about stormwater runoff.

Schwenksville will embark on efforts to

educate its residents about open space

preservation through the open space plan

update process.

THE 2005 OPEN SPACE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PROTECTION PLAN The Open Space Committee has evaluated the goals and objectives of the previous plan and

revised them to reflect what was discussed

during the audit process. This chapter will

serve as the framework for Schwenksville’s

plan for open space preservation and

protection of natural resources. Goals are

provided regarding development, retention of open space, and protection of environmental

features followed by a series of objectives and

Spring Mountain Woods near Spring Mountain House site

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action steps. These goals are for a time horizon of ten years. The specific action items

are defined further throughout this plan and

their estimated start and completion date as

well as priority can be found in Chapter 13.

ENHANCE THE PERKIOMEN TRAIL THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGE CONNECTIONS TO OTHER TRAILS.

OBJECTIVES:

• Continue to implement the Perkiomen

Greenway.

• Enhance connections to Meadow Park from


• Create new connections to the Perkiomen

Trail.

• Encourage a regional trail network with

connections through Schwenksville.

Action Steps:

Create a master plan for Meadow Park that increases the usability of the park for Borough residents and Perkiomen Trail users.

Establish gateways for the Perkiomen Trail through Schwenksville from parks, businesses, and surrounding municipalities.

Explore a pedestrian connection to Pennypacker Mills.

Create a Spring Mountain House connection

to the Perkiomen Trail and Spring Mountain.

EXPLORE FURTHER ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.

OBJECTIVES:

• Ensure a sufficient supply of active and

passive recreation areas for Borough

residents.

Action Steps:

Explore funding opportunities for the acquisition of additional open space.

Create opportunities for direct boating access to the Perkiomen Creek.

Acquire land for Centennial Street Park.

ENHANCE ACCESS AND VISIBILITY OF CURRENT OPEN SPACE.

OBJECTIVES:

• Ensure Meadow Park is safe, accessible,

and useable.

Action Steps:

Develop a master plan for Meadow Park

addressing access, drainage issues, and views

of the Perkiomen Creek.

PROTECT THE NATURAL FEATURES OF BOROUGH.

OBJECTIVES:

• Revise the zoning and subdivision ordinances

to address natural feature protection.

• Explore land acquisition opportunities along

the Perkiomen Creek .

• Undertake natural feature protection measures.

• Explore land acquisition opportunities that

would protect vulnerable natural resources

and/or expand existing open space.

Action Steps:

Adopt a riparian corridor ordinance and landscaping ordinance with tree preservation and tree replacement standards.

Execute a stream bank restoration program.

Work with Montgomery County on acquiring through fee simple or conservation easement lands along the Perkiomen Creek in order to add to the Perkiomen Greenway through Schwenksville.

Consider acquisition and protection methods

for the Boyer Run Greenway and the area

adjacent to Boulevard Avenue.

ENHANCE THE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS IN THE BOROUGH.

OBJECTIVES:

• Explore sidewalk network and off-road trail

connections to the Perkiomen Trail, Schwenksville Elementary School, and Main Street.

• Connect open space areas in the Borough.

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Action Steps:

Sidewalk connections to the Schwenksville

Elementary School are a short term priority,

while future connections to surrounding

communities are a longer term priority.

REGREEN THE BOROUGH STREETSCAPES.

OBJECTIVES:

• Evaluate the Borough’s streets for

streetscape improvements.

Action Steps:

Adopt a landscaping ordinance which updates the street tree requirements.

Initiate and implement an overall streetscape program for the Borough.

Create a shade tree advisory committee to

monitor Borough streetscape

improvements.

WHERE OUT PARCELS EXIST NEAR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE, ACQUISITION WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

OBJECTIVES:

• Evaluate out parcels adjacent to open space

for future acquisition.

Action Steps:

Coordinate with the County on the parcel

adjacent to Memorial Park.

PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES.

OBJECTIVES:

• Continue the updating of the historic

structure inventory.

• Evaluate methods of historic preservation

that would be appropriate for Schwenksville Borough.

• Encourage volunteer participation in historic

restoration work and educate the public

about ongoing projects.

Action Steps:

Relocate and restore the historic Schwenksville Post Office.

Begin an archaeological excavation of Schwenksville’s ice houses and mill houses and encourage volunteer participation.

Restore ice pond on Centennial Street as a part of Centennial Street park development.

Establish a signage program for historic

structures and sites.

CONTINUE THE MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION OF SCHWENKSVILLE’S PARKS.

OBJECTIVES:

• Continue the upkeep of existing parks.

• As new parks are acquired, pursue a long-

term maintenance strategy.

Action Steps:

Develop and implement a master plan for Meadow Park.

Enhance the Perkiomen Creek adjacent to Meadow Park through stream bank restoration.

Following acquisition of additional open space, develop master plans for these

areas.

JOIN OTHER COMMUNITIES IN PARK AND RECREATION PROGRAMMING.

OBJECTIVES:

• Pursue joint park and recreation

programming with adjacent municipalities.

Action Steps:

Create joint park and recreation programming with adjacent communities.

EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT SCHWENKSVILLE’S NATURAL FEATURES, HISTORIC SITES, AND OPEN SPACE AREAS

OBJECTIVES:

• Educate the public about the open space

and natural feature preservation efforts in the Borough.

• Educate the public about the historic

structures and sites within the Borough.

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Action Steps:

Establish an interpretative signage program for the historic sites in the Borough and create an historic walking tour.

Establish names for the unnamed tributaries of the Perkiomen Creek and establish a signage program for those creeks.

Establish a signage program for Meadow Park and future open space areas.

Utilize newspaper resources, the

Schwenksville website, and Schwenksville

mailings to inform the public about open

space efforts.

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23


CHAPTER 3 EXISTING PROTECTED LAND

A key component of the open space plan is a review of existing protected land. An inventory of existing

conditions, along with an assessment of future needs, is necessary for formulating many of the plan's

goals and objectives. Existing protected land refers to land preserved for active or passive recreation use

and/or for environmental conservation purposes. In addition to municipally-owned areas, it can include

land preserved by private conservation groups, farmland, schools sites, and private open space preserved

as part of residential or non-residential development.

This chapter identifies existing open and recreational land Schwenksville and separates it into two

categories of protection - permanently and temporarily protected land. The latter category makes an

important contribution to the overall recreation base of a community by preserving open space,

conserving significant natural features, and/or providing recreation facilities that do not require municipal

involvement in maintenance. However, temporarily protected land can easily be lost. In evaluating open

space needs, this distinction is important, as is the goal of increasing the amount of permanently protected

land so that future generations can also benefit from open space.

PERMANENTLY PROTECTED LAND There is a total of 12.78 acres of public open

space in the Borough. This land is owned by

Montgomery County and by Schwenksville

Borough.

MUNICIPAL OPEN SPACE

Schwenksville's Meadow Park, is the Borough’s

only park. Meadow Park is 6.47 acres and is

owned by the Borough. The park offers access to the Perkiomen Creek, has a play area, lawn area,

and pavilion.

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PERKIOMEN TRAIL

The Perkiomen Trail adjoins Main Street in

Schwenksville and adds extensively to the open

space within the Borough. Montgomery County owns 7.62 acres of the trail through the

Borough and the remainder of the trail is via

conservation easements that property owners

gave to the County.

TEMPORARILY PROTECTED LAND ACT 319

The Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land

Assessment Act was created to preserve land

devoted to agricultural use, agricultural reserve, or

forest reserve. This preferential tax assessment

gives landowners a small incentive to keep the

their parcel intact (a minimum 10 acres are required to qualify for an agricultural or forestry

use). If a breach occurs, the landowner must pay

roll-back taxes for the previous seven years plus

interest. With the high demand for land, this

penalty is not a significant deterrence, and

therefore Act 319 provides minimal land protection. Schwenksville has one property that

extends into Lower Frederick and Perkiomen

Township that falls under Act 319. The portion of

the property within the Borough is 1.86 acres.

This property is approximately 17 acres in total.

ACT 515

The Pennsylvania Open Space Covenant Act was

created to stabilize open areas through the use of

real estate tax assessment techniques. It allows

certain counties to covenant with landowners for

preservation of land in farm, forest, water supply

or open space uses. Some eligible lands can be as

small as ten acres and must be consistent with the county or municipal open space plan. Unless

properly terminated, covenants require the

landowner to pay roll-back taxes for the previous

five years plus interest. Act 515 provides little to

no long-term land protection. Schwenksville has

no properties with Act 515 covenants in place.

INSTITUTIONAL

Schwenksville has 30.81 acres of institutional land.

The Perkiomen Valley School District owns 18.45

acres of this institutional land. The remainder is

owned by religious institutions, the library, the

Schwenksville Borough Authority, and Schwenksville Borough. Public schools provide

much open space in the form of playing fields,

basketball courts, and open fields.

These open spaces differ from the municipally

owned spaces because they may not remain open

forever and that they are not all accessible to the

public. Because land use decisions for public

schools are not made by the municipality, there is

the potential for these spaces to be lost. Despite their temporary nature, these sources of open

space are still important to Schwenksville as they

offer residents a greater range of choices to meet

their recreational needs. They also add an

aesthetic quality to the Borough by opening up

views and providing some relief to the largely developed landscape.

HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION LANDS

The private open space in the Borough is owned

by two entities: Spring Mount Summit Condo

Association and High Pointe Condo Association.

This area is 4.85 acres in size.

CONCLUSION In total, Schwenksville has a significant amount of

open space, with 50.30 acres being either

permanently or temporarily protected. This land

provides Schwenksville residents with many opportunities to enjoy all that open space can offer --

recreation, tranquility, beauty, and a sense of

community. However, some of this open space could

be lost to development in time if the land owners or

land use changes. If the Borough acquires more

open and recreational land, residents can be assured

that Schwenksville will be able to offer them the same or greater level of active and passive open space as

they enjoy today.

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¯Other LandAgriculture

Undeveloped

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Private Open Space

Institutional

Act 319

Existing Protected Land

Public Open Space

Figure 16 Existing and Temporarily Protected Land

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CHAPTER 4 INVENTORY OF POTENTIALLY

VULNERABLE RESOURCES

This chapter presents information on Schwenksville Borough’s potentially vulnerable resources, such as

geology, soils, streams, and woodlands. While the Borough is almost completely developed, these

resources create unique features in the Borough. The impact of development affects scenic quality, water

quality, and aquifer recharge. Through protection of these natural resources, important environmental

functions will be preserved as well as scenic quality.

GEOLOGY The Borough’s bedrock geology, while mostly

unseen except for surface outcrops, defines the

character of all the overlying natural features.

Bedrock geology, and the way it interacts with the

hydrologic cycle, is responsible for changes in

elevation, steep slopes, the location of watercourses, and soil characteristics. For

example, the Brunswick Formation consists of red

shale, mudstone, and siltstone. The weathering of

these moderately hard rocks generally result in

somewhat shallow reddish brown soils. Due to

lower clay content, these rocks tend to produce

soils with good surface drainage.

Bedrock geology and it’s unique composition is

also a primary indicator for groundwater yields.

For example, geologic formations having a higher clay content are less likely to have soils that

provide significant infiltration and groundwater

yields, while formation resulting in soils with

higher sand content will have higher rates of

infiltration and groundwater recharge. Also

harder rocks, including those that have cooled from liquid rock or magma, will be less likely to

form fractures and joints that can contribute to

higher groundwater yields. In Montgomery

County, the difference in groundwater yields

ranges from several gallons per minute (gpm) to

over 100 gpm.

Montgomery County is located in the Triassic

Lowland and Piedmont Upland section of the

Piedmont Physiographic Province. Four formations comprise the Triassic Lowlands: the

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Stockton, Lockatong, Brunswick, and Diabase formations.

The bedrock geology that underlies Schwenksville consists of three formations: Diabase, Brunswick,

and Lockatong. This is quite a common mix and is

frequently found throughout the entire county.

Diabase: This material is formed from the cooling

of magma (rock in its liquid form), and is referred

to as igneous rock. Diabase is typically found in

association with the Brunswick formation. It was

formed when magma seeped through large

cracks within and around the Brunswick formation. Within these cracks the magma cooled

into narrow bands of rock that is very resistant to

erosion, weathering, water infiltration, and

groundwater movement. Diabase is notorious for

low well yields and difficulty in excavation. Most

areas of diabase are steeply sloped and wooded

with numerous surface rocks and boulders. Since diabase is formed from magma, which is typically

high in mineral content, soils derived from this formation can yield quite unique and rare plant

species. This formation is found under the

northernmost part of the Borough, along its

boundary with Lower Frederick Township. This

area is contains areas of sleep slopes and

woodlands. The Diabase formation extends across the Perkiomen Creek into Upper Salford in

the Spring Mountain vicinity.

Lockatong: This sedimentary formation lies in the southern end of the Borough from south of

Perkiomen Avenue to the southern boundary.

This formation is resistant to weathering and often

forms ridges that are prevalent throughout the

county. Generally, the Lockatong formation

exhibits low groundwater yields.

Brunswick: This sedimentary formation underlies

most of the northwestern half of the county. The

Brunswick formation sustains moderate groundwater yields in most locations. The yields

may vary and secondary openings such as joints

and fractures are the key to adequate water flow.

This formation results in the flat or gently rolling

topography that is found throughout the county.

In addition, the Brunswick formation includes harder and more resistant rocks called hornfels.

The hornfels resulted when the red shale of the

Brunswick was super heated by the hot magma of

the diabase intrusions through a process called

metamorphosis. The Brunswick formation extends

as Hornfels from the Diabase around Woodland

Avenue to just south of Highland Avenue. From there, it extends as typical Brunswick shale to the

Lockatong formation south of Perkiomen Avenue.

The importance of the underlying geology is centered upon the availability of groundwater and

the stability of the bedrock for supporting roads

and building foundations. The geological

formations also add to the scenic quality that is

found within an area because of the hills and

valleys that are a result of weathering.

TOPOGRAPHY STEEP SLOPES

Steep slopes within Schwenksville Borough have

been caused by the erosion of bedrock geology

through the action of wind, rain, and chemical

breakdown. As water flows over the landscape, it will break away portions of the "ground" and

carry it elsewhere. Steep slopes are natural

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Figure 17 Geology

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features of the landscape which cause limitations to development, provide scenic

resources, and are environmentally sensitive.

The degree of steepness and the existing soils

found on steep slopes are a result of the

precipitation, vegetation, and underlying

geology. Maintaining the proper vegetative

cover, along with minimizing development, on

steep slopes will greatly reduce the risk to the

public health, safety and welfare. Generally speaking, as the slope increases (for example

from 15% to 20%), the depth of the topsoil and

the ability of the soil to support structures

decreases. It is for this reason that maintaining

a vegetative cover on most, if not all, steep

slopes, while at the same time minimizing the impervious covers on slopes (roofs, drives, etc.)

is a Borough priority.

The steep slopes shown in Figure 18 are derived from the Montgomery County Soil

Survey, which classifies soils by slope. As the

map shows, there is a small area of extensive

slopes (25% or greater) located at the

boundary with Lower Frederick and slopes of

15 percent or more are found throughout the Borough around the tributaries of the

Perkiomen Creek and Mine Run.

WATERSHEDS AND DRAINAGE AREAS

Water is arguably a community's most valuable

resource. It is consumed by people and

industry, enjoyed for recreation, employed in

the assimilation of treated sewage, and integral

to the scenic landscape. The average

precipitation in the county is approximately 46 inches per year. Of this amount (which can

vary) roughly 25% becomes runoff, 50%

evaporates or is transpired by plants, and 25%

replenishes groundwater supplies.

The area that contributes water to any given

water course is called a drainage basin.

Schwenksville Borough contributes to three

types of drainage basins: Mine Run, Swamp

Creek, and Perkiomen Creek. The Perkiomen Creek is considered to be a major basin, which

is one of more than 25 square miles, drained

by a prominent stream, with a significant

number of branch streams. The Swamp Creek

is considered to be a minor basin which is one

that has an area of 10 square miles, with the

principle stream tributary to the stream of a major basin (in this case the Perkiomen Creek).

Mine Run is a sub-basin (in this case to the

Perkiomen Creek) which is one that is more

than 2 square miles but less than 10 and the

principal stream is a tributary to the stream of

either a major or minor basin.

As the water finds its way through the Borough it

erodes the land, carries soil sediment, affects

vegetation communities, and replenishes the groundwater. The topography of any community is

a result of the interaction between the geology and

the surface water as it makes its way across the

landscape. The plants that are found in an area differ

depending upon their location and the "wetness" of

the soil. Finally, as water flows across the land it also

enters the underlying aquifers by filtering through the soil and into the underlying bedrock.

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Figure 18 Steep Slopes

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The major surface waterways that run through the Borough are the Perkiomen Creek (which

includes the Boyer Run and Creamery Run

tributaries) and Mine Run.

Groundwater behaves much like surface water,

flowing like a stream, only much slower.

Groundwater is tapped as a source of drinking

water and for industrial purposes. The

replenishment of groundwater occurs slowly as

precipitation and, in some cases, stream water seeps through the soil, down into the underlying

aquifer. For this reason, open, undisturbed land is

essential to groundwater recharge. Undisturbed,

vegetated land retains precipitation and allows it

to soak into the soil rather than running off the

surface. In turn, impervious surfaces (roofs, driveways, etc.) from development prevent the

infiltration of water into the aquifer and speed up

the run-off potential.

SOILS HYDRIC SOILS

These are periodically wet soils in an undrained

condition that often support the growth of wetland vegetation. In an undisturbed,

undrained condition, hydric soils are almost

always wetlands, with a seasonal high water table

at or near the surface, and therefore are subject

to regulation by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

and the PA Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP). Since not all hydric soils are found in undrained conditions, not all hydric soils

exhibit wetland vegetation. Hydric soils that have

been drained for agricultural use is an example.

Other soils that have hydric components are

found in depressions, bottomlands, swales,

drainageways, and alluvial soils. These types of

soils usually have a high water table and frequently pond. These soils should not be

developed for obvious reasons such as erosion

potential, seepage from septic systems into the

groundwater, and the inability to build solid

foundations.

ALLUVIAL SOILS

These soils are frequently, but not always,

located within a floodplain. They have been

deposited by flowing water and are not stable

because of their texture and composition. The

presence of alluvial soils is only one indicator of

a floodplain. Changes in tributary drainage areas or slope of the adjacent stream may

create a floodplain that is either larger or

smaller than the area of alluvial soils. An

important aspect of alluvial soils is the fact that

they are often aquifer recharge areas. These

soils should not be developed because of their

lack of stability, the potential for groundwater contamination, and aquifer recharge.

SURFACE WATERS AND HYDROLOGY FLOODPLAIN AND STREAM CORRIDORS

Water is a valuable resource, consumed by people

and industry, enjoyed at recreation facilities,

employed in the assimilation of treated sewage,

and integral to the landscape. As previously noted, of the 46 inches per year of rainfall

expected 25 percent becomes direct runoff, 50

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Perkiomen Creek

Mine Run

Swamp Creek

Mine Run

Swamp CreekPerkiomen Creek

Figure 19 Watersheds

31


floodwater. The most extensive floodplain areas are found along the Perkiomen Creeks and Mine Run.

Generally, the floodplain has been respected within

the Borough although there has been development

along Mine Run.

In addition to carrying floodwater, the floodplain and

stream corridors are important in minimizing erosion

and water pollution, protecting water quality

(temperature and velocity), and providing animal

habitats and recreational opportunities. Well vegetated "buffers" along stream corridors will filter

out "non-point source" pollutants, shade the stream,

and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands that filter and

impede stormwater are frequently found along

stream corridors. Unconsolidated gravel and stone

deposits (soils) are also found along stream corridors and these areas allow for groundwater recharge.

Schwenksville recently passed a natural resource

protection ordinance which addresses the protection of streams, watercourses, wetlands, and ponds. The

ordinance requires the protection of stream corridors

by a stream corridor setback of 75 feet from the

centerline of the watercourse.

These riparian areas also protect one of the essential

aquifer replenishment areas, the hydric and alluvial

soils that are often found along streams.

Because basins are usually larger than one

community, an interrelationship exists whereby

municipalities that are upstream contribute surface

water flow to Schwenksville, while those downstream receive the Schwenksville's flow. With this in mind,

the Borough should aim to maintain the natural

conditions of its drainage system, such as through

preservation of open space along watercourses.

VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE WOODLANDS

The original vegetation of Montgomery County

was a dense forest of hardwoods which covered

over 99 percent of the county. Oaks were the

dominant species, but chestnut, tulip poplar,

hickory, ash, red maple, and dogwoods were also present. Several hundred years of clearing and

cultivation, and in more recent times the rapid

development of houses and commercial facilities,

have reduced woodlands to a shadow of their

former extent. The principle types of woodlands

remaining in the county are:

percent evaporates or is transpired by plants, and 25 percent replenishes groundwater. The surface

water that falls on or is carried through

Schwenksville affects the topography, soils,

vegetation, and groundwater and comes from

two natural sources: direct runoff and

groundwater. A third, manmade source, may also contribute to stream flow: effluent from

sewage treatment plants, which tends to reduce

the variation between high and low flow periods.

HYDROLOGY

Of particular importance is the 100 year floodplain.

This is a hydrological feature that effects the health, safety, and welfare of Schwenksville’s residents.

Much of the time the floodplain is dry, but during

storms the floodplain conveys and stores excess

floodwater. Development within this area reduces

the carrying capacity of the watercourse and

increases the height and destructive ability of

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Hydric SoilsAlluvial Soils

Figure 20 Alluvial and Hydric Soils

32


Red Oak - About 60% of all remaining woodlands. Northern Red Oak is predominant, but Black, Scarlet

and Chestnut Oak are also abundant.

Ash/Maple/Elm - About 19% of all woodlands. Local

mixtures will vary, and include minor species, such as

the Slippery Elm, Yellow Birch, Black Gum, Sycamore,

and Poplar.

Eastern Red Cedar - 18% of the county's

wooded acres are covered with this species

and associated species: Gray Birch, Red Maple,

Sweet Birch, and Aspen.

Sugar Maple/Beech/Yellow Birch - The remaining

three percent of woodlands is comprised of this

association. Associated species include Red Maple, Hemlock, Northern Red oak, White Ash, and Tulip

Poplar.

Woodlands and hedgerows serve many purposes,

both functional and aesthetic. Woodlands prevent

erosion, provide habitat for wildlife, provide buffers for creeks, and offer recreational opportunities for

residents. Hedgerows and wooded corridors prevent

erosion also, and provide cover for wildlife

movement, shelter, and migration.

The distribution of woodlands in Montgomery

County can be described in three different

patterns. Small, widely scattered stands can be

found east of the central county ridge, often

strung along alluvial soils. Long, linear stands along streams and on alluvial soils are typical in

the central part of the county. Large forested

blocks of land, often hundreds to thousands of

acres in size, are found on ridges in the central

and northern areas of the county.

Major concentrations of woodlands in the

Borough are found along the Perkiomen Creek,

and tributaries of the Perkiomen Creek as well as

areas adjacent to Lower Frederick and Perkiomen Townships. However, with the exception of

portions of woodlands along the Perkiomen Trail,

no permanent preservation of these areas exists.

While all woodlands are important, some of the

most significant woodlands are those found along

the streams. These riparian woodlands help absorb rainfall, shade the stream, provide food for

aquatic organisms, and minimize the addition of

sediment into the waterways.

In terms of water quality, the Perkiomen Creek and

the Mine Run are classified as trout stocking

according to the Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter

93, “Water Quality Standards.”

SCENIC RESOURCES Scenic quality of viewsheds is associated with

waterbodies, woodlands, and unique landforms.

These views can add significantly to a

community’s sense of place. Besides woodlands and and the scenic qualities of creeks and streams,

roadways can contribute to a community’s open

space system because they provide a way to view

its scenic resources. The County’s Comprehensive

Plan identifies Route 29 as an “aesthetically

unique” scenic road.

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES In the 1700s grist mills were built in the area and became famous as the Pennypacker Mills during

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FEMA FloodplainNWI Wetlands

Figure 21 Floodplains and Wetlands

33


the Revolutionary War. However, significant settlement of the Borough did not begin until the

early to mid-1800s. Early businesses included a

store in 1818, and a hotel in 1845, opened by

Jacob Schwenk, the great-grandson of the

original settler. Other early businesses included

ice houses, a creamery, and the Bromer clothing factory. Attempts to incorporate as a

borough began in 1889, and were finally

successful in 1903.

Important transportation improvements in the

1800s include the 1832 Perkiomen Creek bridge,

Gravel Pike from Collegeville to Sumneytown in

1846 and the railroad in 1874 that connected the

Schuylkill River Valley with the Lehigh Valley.

The Schwenksville Creamery was established circa

1880 as a farmers association. Around 1890, it

became a private enterprise and was in operation

until 1946. The creamery served as a milk collection point for local farmers. Butter and

cheese were manufactured and cheese was dried out and sold as casein to paper manufacturers. In

addition, butter and eggs were kept cool under

the ice and shipped by rail, later by truck, to the

Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.

Chickens, turkeys, calves, and hogs were killed

and processed at the creamery also.

An inventory of historical structures was done by

the Clio Group in the mid 1980s throughout

Montgomery County. This study catalogued 43 sites in Schwenksville of local importance and one

site that was identified as eligible for individual

listing on the National Register. The one site

indicated as eligible for listing is the 1874

Industrial Hall at 100 Main Street, built for clothing

manufacturer Albert Bromer. This building provided manufacturing space on the first floor, a

community meeting hall on the second floor, and

fraternal lodge meeting rooms on the third floor.

Two other Bromer buildings are identified on the

list. One building is his residence, built around

1870, and the other is one of Bromer’s shops,

which is now used as Schwenksville Borough Hall.

The Central Perkiomen Valley Historical Society

conducted a historic inventory as a part of the open space planning process. The Borough’s

buildings have been categorized and can be

viewed in Figures 23 and 24.

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Riparian WoodlandsWoodlands

Figure 22 Woodlands

34


C39

A4

D10

C29C28

D3

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D4

E49E41

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E44

D16

A13

E13

C15

A1

E31

E48

A3

E1

E8

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E46

C37

A7

E30

E5

E29

E7

E37E34

C33

E4

C16

D18

A6

E6

E3

C1

B11E40

E9

E53

C27

A23

A12

E50

E2

E36

E11

D1

C40

A2

E35

E21

E27

E52

D12

E20E22

C31

E24

E15

A20

C6

D19

C32

E23

D13

D7

E25

E14

E38

C22

E43

C46

D6

B2

C38

B5

C14

C4

C8

A21

D5

E19

B13

B6

A15

B1

D17

B9

C42

C9

A8

A14

E28

B4

B12

E16

C41

C7

D8

D11

B14

E17

C44 C45

C43

E10

C5

C36

C12

B8

B3

D14

E45

B7

B15

A16

E33

C35

A17

C19

C13

B10

E39

C2

C23B16

C10

E54

C34

C24

A11

A18

C3

0 800 1,600400 Feet

MC

PC


Base map December 2004


¯

Building Ages

21st Century

1946 - 2000

1919 - 1945 (E)

1895 - 1918 (D)

1877 - 1894 (C)

1871 - 1876 (B)

Earlier than 1870 (A)

Figure 23 Historic and Cultural Resources (Provided by the Central Perkiomen Valley Historical Society)

35


Figure 24 Historic Resources

Map ID Address Date Category A1 131 State Game Farm Road Earlier than 1870

A2 130 State Game Farm Road Earlier than 1870

A3 729 Main Street Earlier than 1870


A5 51 Park Avenue Earlier than 1870







A13 549/551 Main Street Earlier than 1870





A18 209 Main Street (149 Maple Street) Earlier than 1870






B1 636 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B2 576 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B3 180 Centennial Street 1871 - 1876



B6 337 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B7 293 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B8 279 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B9 251 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B10 100 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B11 96 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B12 84 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B13 85 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B14 78 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B15 70/68 Main Street 1871 - 1876

B16 60 Main Street 1871 - 1876

C1 719 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C2 646/656 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C3 616 Main Street 1877 - 1894

36


Figure 24 (continued) Historic Resources

Map ID Address Date Category

C4 556 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C5 546 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C6 536 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C7 487 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C8 449/451 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C9 351 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C10 233 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C11 250 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C12 192 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C13 176 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C14 187 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C15 163 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C16 139 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C17 77 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C18 75 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C19 65 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C20 63 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C21 55 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C22 39/41 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C23 54 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C24 48 Main Street 1877 - 1894

C25 61 Montgomery Avenue 1877 - 1894

C26 73 Montgomery Avenue 1877 - 1894

C27 150 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C28 170 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C29 188 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C30 251 Perkiomen Avenue 1877 - 1894

C31 109/111 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C32 227 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C33 243 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C34 224 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C35 259 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C36 275 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C37 300 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C38 350 Second Street 1877 - 1894

C39 350 Third Street 1877 - 1894

C40 280 Centennial Street 1877 - 1894



C43 341 Cherry Street 1877 - 1894

C44 C45 251 Centennial Street/280

Walnut Street 1877 - 1894

C46 220 Walnut Street 1877 - 1894

37




D1 709 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D2 693 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D3 679 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D4 609 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D5 526 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D6 315/317 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D7 265 Main Street 1895 - 1918

D8 79 Montgomery Avenue 1895 - 1918

D9 150 Perkiomen Avenue 1895 - 1918

D10 251 Perkiomen Avenue 1895 - 1918

D11 151/153 Second Street 1895 - 1918

D12 190 Second Street 1895 - 1918

D13 150 Third Street 1895 - 1918

D14 291 Second Street 1895 - 1918

D15

D16 250 Centennial Street 1895 - 1918




E1 1005 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E2 1003 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E3 1001 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E4 991 Main Street/Boulevard

Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945


Avenue 1919 - 1945

E11 733 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E12 735 Mountain View Avenue 1919 - 1945

E13 814 Mountain View Avenue 1919 - 1945

E14 93 Woodland Avenue 1919 - 1945





E19 920 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

38




E20 913 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E21 908 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E22 906 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E23 904 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E24 902 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E25 808 Summit Avenue 1919 - 1945

E26 Borough Authority 1919 - 1945

E27 100 Highland Avenue 1919 - 1945

E28 710 Mine Hill Road 1919 - 1945

E29 720 Mine Hill Road 1919 - 1945

E30 722 Mine Hill Road 1919 - 1945

E31 Borough Authority/809

Mine Hill Road 1919 - 1945

E32 131 Walnut Street 1919 - 1945

E33 145 Walnut Street 1919 - 1945

E34 415 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E35 421 Centennial Street 1919 - 1945

E36 460 Centennial Street 1919 - 1945

E37 480 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E38 390 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E39 160 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E40 97 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E41 31 Main Street 1919 - 1945

E42 80 Second Street 1919 - 1945

E43 191 Second Street 1919 - 1945

E44 211 Second Street 1919 - 1945

E45 250/252 Second Street 1919 - 1945

E46 272 Second Street 1919 - 1945

E47 111 Third Street 1919 - 1945

E48 171 Third Street 1919 - 1945

E49 300 Perkiomen Avenue 1919 - 1945




E53 121 Fourth Street 1919 - 1945

E54 666 Main Street 1919 - 1945

39


CHAPTER 5 POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE LINKAGES

An important aspect of open space is the accessibility of that space to community residents and to the

region as a whole. This section of the plan identifies potential open space linkages/greenways that can tie

together open space sites within the Borough and to open space in adjacent communities. Such

connections help form a more comprehensive open space system for residents and contribute to the

creation of a more effective and enjoyable regional network.

A greenway is a linear open space established along a natural corridor, such as a stream valley or

ridgeline, or a built feature, such as a railroad right-of-way or canal. Greenways connect parks, preserved

areas, cultural resources, or historic sites with each other and to populated areas through a natural

landscaped corridor. In this way, greenways provide the foundation for creating a system of connected

open space. Connected open spaces have greater value than independent open space and provide

increased opportunities for wildlife habitat, biodiversity, recreation, and transportation. The primary

purpose for maintaining and creating greenways is to protect sensitive natural features, natural processes,

and ecological integrity. However, since a greenway links places of public interest, it is also a logical

location for trail development.

BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS While the fundamental objective of the

greenway network is conservation oriented, greenways serve many other local and regional

needs. The DCNR publication, Pennsylvania’s

Greenways—An Action Plan for Creating

Connections from 2001, identifies the following

specific benefits of greenways:

• Greenways enhance the sense of place in a community or region.

• Greenways accentuate the scenic beauty and majesty of our state.

• Greenways protect our state's water resources by buffering non-point sources of pollution.

40


• Greenways provide opportunities to protect and manage wildlife, forests and ecological systems.

• Greenways provide recreation opportunities for families and individuals of all ages and abilities.

• Greenways provide alternatives to automotive transportation, reducing traffic congestion.

• Greenways add positively to our economic climate.

• Greenways are a core component of strategies to foster health and wellness, especially as our population ages.

GREENWAY ELEMENTS

The most significant greenway in Schwenksville

Borough is the Perkiomen Greenway.

Montgomery County’s Draft Open Space, Natural

Features, and Cultural Resources Plan considers

the Perkiomen Greenway a “primary greenway.” The Perkiomen Trail threads through this

greenway system. Schwenksville’s focus on the

Perkiomen Greenway is indicated with its

trademarked logo, “Schwenksville: Gateway to the

Perkiomen Trail, Pennsylvania's First Greenway

Community.” Other stream corridors within the

Borough also are important as greenways.

STREAM CORRIDORS

Schwenksville’s network of stream corridors forms

the spine of the greenway system. However, a

number of other environmental amenities are

located within stream corridors, making these

areas particularly valuable.

WOODLANDS

The most significant natural amenity within stream

corridors is woodlands. A healthy riparian corridor

will contain woodlands and a dense vegetative

groundcover. Wooded riparian corridors have

been scientifically shown to benefit water quality. The trees and vegetative cover will slow runoff

flowing through the corridor, filtering out

sediment and nutrients. In addition, the root

system of the trees and ground vegetation

increase the infiltration capacity of the soil,

trapping and utilizing nutrients before reaching

the stream. The large root systems of the trees along the stream banks act as an armor, more

effectively holding the soil in place. The trees also

drop leaves and twigs into the streams, providing

food for aquatic organisms. The presence and

variety of aquatic organisms increase the possibility of fish propagation and is a primary

indicator of water quality. Tree canopy also

shades and cools the stream, maintaining

higher levels of oxygen for fish and other

aquatic organisms.

Wooded riparian areas also provide food and

shelter for land animals and serve as “wildlife

highways” connecting large open space

together. Maintaining a wooded riparian corridor also causes development to be setback

from the streams, minimizing the threat and

damage of flooding.

STEEP SLOPES

Steep slopes are the result of geology and hydrology, and therefore are closely aligned

with stream corridors. Steep slopes are often

easily eroded, as the depth of topsoil typically

decreases as slopes increases. This means

susceptibility to erosion and mass movement of

soil may be greater than on nearby less-sloping

areas. Maintaining a vegetative cover on steep slopes is important to minimizing erosion.

Erosion, and the resulting sedimentation of

streams, reduces water quality and can

contribute to downstream flooding by

reducing the carrying-capacity of the streams.

Steep slopes also support unique plants and

wildlife that are part of the regions biodiversity.

FEMA FLOODPLAINS

The Federal Emergency Management Agency

(FEMA) maintains maps of designated

floodplains. Floodplain protection is important

since development of the floodplain reduces

the carrying capacity of a stream, increasing the downstream height and destructive ability

of floodwater, and prevents groundwater

recharge. Development within the floodplain

also poses a danger to property and human

life. Therefore, preservation of stream corridors

in a natural state is essential to flood protection

efforts. Preserved floodplains can also offer opportunities for trails and other forms of

recreation. Given that the Perkiomen Trail and

Meadow Park lie within the floodplain, there is

limited development of the floodplain.

41


within 75 feet of a stream. The areas of convergence indicate the highest priority greenways.

EXISTING COUNTY TRAILS

The proposed and existing County trails are

mapped on Figure 26 with the potential

greenway corridors.

PERKIOMEN TRAIL

The Perkiomen Trail was completed in 2003. This

22.5-mile rail-trail follows the Perkiomen Creek

from Upper Providence Township to Upper Hanover Township. The Trail follows the whole

length of Schwenksville Borough. This trail will

connect to the Sunrise Trail and Evansburg Trail in

the Schwenksville vicinity.

WETLANDS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for

maintaining the National Wetland Inventory

(NWI). The NWI as a reference tool provides quick and easy identification of wetland areas, including

the habitat classification. Wetlands provide

important benefits by filtering sediment, nutrients,

and other pollutants from water. Wetlands also

help with flood control by limiting development

adjacent to steams and retaining large amounts of

water during storms. They also provide significant natural habitat for numerous plants and animals,

including many species that are threatened or

endangered. The wetlands within Schwenksville

are found along the Perkiomen Creek.

HYDRIC SOILS

Hydric soils are periodically wet soils, in an undrained condition, that often support the

growth of wetland vegetation. Since only

some hydric soils are found in undrained

conditions, not all hydric soils exhibit wetland

vegetation. Hydric soils that have been

drained for agricultural use are one example of

this. Soils with major hydric components are a conservative indicator of wetlands. Other soils

have hydric components in limited settings,

such as depressions, swales, and alluvial soils.

Given the water purifying and habitat benefits

of wetlands, the value of protecting these

areas is well established.

Steep slopes and woodlands are visible features of

greenways and provide specific environmental

benefits. Figure 25 shows the location of woodlands and slopes in excess of fifteen percent

throughout the Borough. Floodplains, wetlands,

and hydric soils, while less visible, are also

important environmental amenities worth of

protection within greenways. Figure 25 also

shows the location of floodplains, wetlands, and

hydric soils within Schwenksville Borough.

POTENTIAL LINKAGES POTENTIAL GREENWAY CORRIDORS

While the location of the environmental

amenities previously discussed is spread

throughout the Borough, those located in the proximity of streams are the most significant for

greenway identification. Figure 25 shows the

relationship of the natural features to all areas

Perkiomen Trail through Schwenksville

42


GAME FARM RD

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PERKIOMEN AVE

PLEASANTVIEW AVE

CLEARFIELD AVE

MAI

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WOODLAND AV

E

MINE HILL RD

4TH ST

0 800 1,600400 Feet

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Base map January 2005


¯

Steep Slopes

Woodlands

Floodplains, Hydric Soils, Wetlands

Stream Corridor (75 foot buffer)

Figure 25 Greenway Elements

43


PROPOSED COUNTY TRAILS

EVANSBURG TRAIL

The proposed 17-mile trail will utilize trails within

Evansburg Park and proposed trails within Lower

Salford Township. Additional connections will be made along the Skippack Creek and the East

Branch of the Perkiomen Creek. Of significance to

Schwenksville, the trail will go through the

Pennypacker Mills Historic Site and connect to the

Perkiomen Trail.

SUNRISE TRAIL

The proposed 5-mile Sunrise Trail follows the

Swamp Creek valley between the Sunrise Mill

Historic Site and the Perkiomen Trail at the

confluence of the Perkiomen and Swamp Creeks.

OTHER PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS

Pedestrian connections are briefly described below.

For a more detailed discussion of Schwenksville’s trail

plan, please refer to Chapter 11.

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION TO PENNYPACKER MILLS HISTORIC SITE

The Schwenksville Revitalization Plan suggests a

proposed pedestrian connection from Meadow

Park to the Pennypacker Mills Historic Site.

SPRING MOUNTAIN HOUSE TRAIL

CONNECTION

Public access to the Spring Mountain House site

could be coordinated with Upper Salford Township and Perkiomen Township so that

trails to the site and to Spring Mountain are

further established.

SIDEWALKS

Future sidewalk connections that will connect to

the Perkiomen Trail, Main Street, and the

Schwenksville Elementary School are a priority for

the Borough.

44


GAME FARM RD

4TH ST

3RD

ST

CENTENNIAL ST

CHURCH

PARK AVE

MO

UN

TAIN

VIE

W A

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WALNUT ST

HILLCREST AVE

2ND

ST

HIGHLAND AVE

PERKIOMEN AVE

PLEASANTVIEW AVE

CLEARFIELD AVE

MAI

N S

T

MAPLE AVE

SUM

MIT AVE

WOODLAND AV

E

MINE HILL RD

4TH ST

0 800 1,600400 Feet

MC

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Base map January 2005


¯Steep Slopes, Woodlands, Floodplains, Hydric Soils, Wetlands

Stream Corridor (75 foot buffer)

Perkiomen Trail

Future County Trails

Figure 26 Potential Open Space Linkages

45


CHAPTER 6 ANALYSIS OF

UNPROTECTED RESOURCES

The inventory of vulnerable resources in Chapter 4 details the extensive coverage of lands underlain by

bedrock with poor aquifer characteristics, steep slopes, wetlands, hydric and alluvial soils, prime and

statewide important agricultural soils, woodlands, historic resources, and viewsheds. These cultural and

environmental features are mapped as individual features without showing their overlapping,

interconnected relationships. Together the resources of the inventory contribute to the whole of

Schwenksville’s environmental and scenic integrity, and suggest priorities for protection. The following

narrative briefly describes the significance of the individual resources, and its relationship to the Borough’s

goals and priorities.

ANALYSIS OF VULNERABLE RESOURCES In order to analyze the relationship between

the Borough’s vulnerable resources and

existing protected land, a composite of all the

natural features needs to be developed. For the purposes of creating a composite map, only

the most vulnerable elements of the individual

resources will be used. In addition, several

resources that display similar vulnerabilities,

such as alluvial soils and floodplain, were

combined for the purposes of analysis.

The resources are focused around Schwenksville's creeks and along Main Street. This composite map

shows the importance of having good resource

protection ordinances in place so that as future

development takes pace the resources are

afforded some level of protection. However, the

Borough may wish to provide more comprehensive protection by having control over

the management of resource lands in certain

situations. For example, there are instances where

two, and sometimes more, of the resources

overlap and the Borough could protect multiple

resources within one property. Protection of

46


resource lands may also complement land preservation for other purposes. This may occur

when a property that the Borough may be

considering for active recreation also has a

concentration of significant resources worthy of

protection.

Therefore, we need to be able to compare the

natural resource values between two pieces of

property. For example, a property that has three

resources overlapping (i.e. alluvial soils, woodlands, buffer area) will have a greater relative

value than a piece of property that contains only

floodplain. This analysis should also take into

account the fact that the Borough does not value

all resource land equally.

PRIORITIZATION OF AREAS FOR PRESERVATION A map of unprotected resource priorities was

developed (Figure 27), combining the vulnerable

resources discussed in Chapter 4. The resources

are broken down into three categories: hydrologic

resources, sensitive upland resources, and historic

and cultural sensitive lands. These areas should be

protected through either acquisition or land use regulations. Areas with overlapping sensitive

resources are the most vulnerable.

HYDROLOGIC RESOURCES

Hydrologic resources include stream corridors and

their floodplains, alluvial soils, hydric soils, and

wetlands. The protection of these resources would minimize pollution and help with

groundwater recharge. Additionally these areas

are the first choice for passive recreation, trail

linkages, and greenway corridors.

SENSITIVE UPLAND RESOURCES

The sensitive upland resources include woodlands and steep slopes. Woodlands are particularly

important for surface water quality and provide

critical habitat for wildlife.

HISTORIC AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE RESOURCES

While historic and culturally significant properties

are not part of the natural environment, they are

essential to Schwenksville’s community character.

Creamery Run near Centennial Street

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Hydrologic Resources

Sensitive Upland Resources

Historic and Culturally Sensitive Lands

Figure 27 Unprotected Resources

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49

SCHWENKSVILLE OPEN SPACE PLAN - AUGUST 2005

CHAPTER 7 EVALUATION OF GROWTH AREAS

In addition to establishing open space preservation areas, it is important to identify areas that will

accommodate the projected community growth. While much of the Borough is built-out, there is room

for infill development. The Borough will have to consider where it is appropriate for infill development

and where preservation areas are appropriate. This chapter examines the amount of population and

employment growth that is expected in Schwenksville and assesses whether the Borough can

accommodate that growth under current zoning.

POPULATION, HOUSING, AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS By the year 2025, Schwenksville is projected to

have a residential population of 1,700 persons.

In addition, the Borough is projected to have

750 persons employed. The projections for population and employment indicate a slight

increase in the number of persons and

employed people. In 2000, the Borough had

662 total housing units, which was a 21.9

percent increase from 1990. The Borough’s

projected housing demand for 2025 is 19

housing units. For more information on these projections and totals, please see Figures 28–

31. Given the slight increases in projected population and employment, the Borough can

easily accommodate such growth.

SCHWENKVILLE’S FUTURE GROWTH AREAS While there is a slight increase expected in

employment and population, there is some room

in the Borough for further development. In recent years in fact, the Borough has seen a number of

submissions for the subdivision of larger lots into

smaller lots. According to the draft Central

Perkiomen Valley Regional Plan, Schwenksville

50


0

500

1000

1500

2000

1990

2000

2005

*

2010

*

2015

*

2020

*

2025

*

Figure 28 Population Projection

Year Population 1990 1,326 2000 1,693 2005* 1,690 2010* 1,690 2015* 1,690 2020* 1,690 2025* 1,700

Source: U.S. Census Bureau; Census of Population and Housing, 2000; DVRPC projections.

* Projected population

Figure 29 Employment Forecast

Year Total Employment

1990 747

2000 750

2005* 750

2010* 750

2015* 750

2020* 750

2025* 750

*Source: DVRPC Forecasts

745746747748749750751

1990

2000

2005

*

2010

*

2015

*

2020

*

2025

*

51


Figure 30 Housing Types

Housing Types 1990 2000 % Change


Single-family Detached 194 35.7% 217 32.8% 11.9%

Single-family Attached 70 12.9% 74 11.2% 5.7%

Multifamily (2-4 Units) 74 13.6% 98 14.8% 32.4%

Multifamily (5 or More Units) 200 36.8% 273 41.2% 36.5%

Mobile Home/Trailer/Other 5 0.9% 0 0.0% -100.0%

Total Housing Units 543 100% 662 100% 21.9%


Housing Types Comparison

0.9%

12.9%

36.8%

13.6%

35.7%

0.0%

32.8%

41.2%

14.8%

11.2%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Single-

family

Det

ached

Single-

family

Atta

ched

Mult

ifam

ily (2

-4 U

nits)

Mult

ifam

ily (5

or M

ore U

nits)

Mob

ile H

ome/

Traile

r/Oth

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1990

2000

52


Borough is considered a growth area. The designation for the Borough is called “Borough

Conservation Area.” The Borough Conservation Area

is characterized in the regional plan as an area which

is primarily developed with a mix of land uses, existing

public infrastructure, and a variety of housing types at

varying densities. Any future development in the Borough Conservation Area will be in the form of infill

development that is compatible with the character of

the area and regional heritage.

With any new development, the preservation of

natural features is important. In terms of future

residential development, areas in the western part

of the Borough could see some infill development.

While there are some smaller areas of vacant land

available, some areas in the Borough have the potential to be subdivided into smaller lots. The

vicinity of Cherry Street and 4th Street in particular

have the potential for further development. This

area is zoned for R-1 Residential development.

In terms of nonresidential growth, the Main Street

commercial core may see an influx of business

establishments as Schwenksville’s revitalization

plans become a reality. The creation of the Trail

House would bring additional retail and restaurant uses with a residential component.

This proposal for the lumberyard property in the

Borough was originally discussed in

Schwenksville’s Revitalization Plan. Currently, a

sketch plan is being discussed which would entail

the creation of a three-story atrium structure with

two floors of retail and condominiums on the third floor. An adjacent restaurant building would

be built in addition. The concept of the Trail

House is to draw area residents and Perkiomen

Trail users to dine and shop in Schwenksville

Borough. Many of the uses would be tailored to

trail users.

Figure 31 Projected Housing Demand

Residential Number

2025 Projected Population 1,700

2025 Projected Group Quarters 357

2025 Projected Population in Households 1,343

2025 Average Household Size 2.1

2025 Occupied Housing Units 646

2025 (2000) Vacancy Rate 0.05

2025 Total Housing Units 681

2000 Total Units Built 662

Estimated Number of Housing Units Remaining to be Built by 2025 19

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Borough Conservation Area

Figure 32 Future Land Use Plan

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55


CHAPTER 8 EVALUATION OF

OPEN SPACE NEEDS

This chapter will discuss the existing and projected recreational and open space needs for Schwenksville

Borough. The availability of facilities in relation to existing and projected population growth will be

analyzed. National and regional standards for public recreational land will be reviewed and applied to

Schwenksville Borough. Needs will be assessed for the present and the year 2025.

PLANNING GOAL

Explore further active and passive recreation opportunities.

Explore funding opportunities for the acquisition of additional open space.

Create opportunities for direct boating access to the Perkiomen Creek.

Acquire land for Centennial Street Park.

EVALUATING OPEN SPACE NEEDS A 1983 guide by the National Recreation and Park

Association (NRPA), Recreation, Park and Open

Space Standards and Guidelines, provided

strategies for calculating the acreage needs of

municipal park systems. These guidelines suggested a municipal park system include 6.25 to

10.5 acres of land per 1,000 people. These

standards, as well as standards from Delaware

Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), have been used to calculate park needs for a

majority of the open space plans completed in

Montgomery County. This publication, however,

has been replaced due to the expanded role parks

and open space play in local communities.

The newest publication by the National Recreation

and Park Association and the American Academy

for Park and Recreation Administration titled Park,

Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines

56


was produced in 1996. The new title without the word “standards” is indicative in the shift of

looking at open space. The more recent

publication shifted its philosophy to provide

guidance only, ultimately allowing the amount of

park, recreation, and open space to be defined by

individual communities. The 1996 publication emphasizes a systems approach to park,

recreation, open space, and greenway planning

that focuses on local values and needs rather than

strict formulas.

This new systems approach looks at the level of

service provided to the users of the facilities

rather than the size of the facilities based upon

population. This method reflects, in part, the

dual function of municipal parkland: providing recreation opportunities (passive and active)

and protecting important natural features.

Municipal parks often contain a significant

amount of environmentally sensitive land that

prevents much of the acreage from being

utilized for active recreation. Under these

guidelines a 5-acre municipal park that contains few significant natural features and is fully

developed may provide the same level of

service as a 35-acre park that provides

recreation and also protects important

woodlands, wetlands, and other environmental

amenities. The difference hinges upon the

individual goals of the municipality and not an arbitrary per capita acreage figure.

However, in order to conduct a meaningful level of service analysis, the Borough would need to compile

detailed user surveys and facility inventories. While this

is a key element for a borough recreation plan, it is

not necessary for characterizing the general recreation

opportunities within Schwenksville Borough. This is

especially true given the Borough’s access to the

Perkiomen Trail and Meadow Park. Therefore, the per capita acreage figures will be used only to confirm the

Borough has the absolute minimum acreage needed

for active park land. Both the low and high ratios are

used to create a range for evaluating existing

conditions. Figure 33 shows the results of applying

the NRPA’s old acreage standards.

PARK TYPES Parks and open space can be classified into

three general categories based upon the acreage, recreation potential, and natural

resources of each park. Miniparks serve more

densely developed areas, such as apartment or townhouse complexes, generally providing

playground opportunities that can not be

provide on smaller individual lots. Miniparks are

classified as between 2,500 square feet to 3

acres in size and should be located within a

1/4 mile radius of a residential development. A Neighborhood Park generally includes lands

between 3 and 20 acres having a service area

up to ½ mile. These parks may provide

playground equipment, or tot lots, but also

contain larger areas for athletic fields to allow

for both informal and organized recreation.

Meadow Park is considered to be a neighborhood park.

The second classification is Community Parks, which includes lands of 20 acres or more in size

that serve multiple neighborhoods within a mile

and a half of the park. Community parks generally

contain numerous athletic fields or hard courts for

a variety of sports, serving as a center of

recreational activity within the community, and

provide a central gathering place for special events. Schwenksville does not have any

community parks.

In addition to those categories, there are lands

that are primarily used for passive recreation and

the protection of natural resources. The Spring

Mountain House site in Upper Salford (which is

jointly owned with Schwenksville) would be

within this category. The Perkiomen Trail and

land in the vicinity of the Perkiomen Creek should also be mentioned as important land in terms of

passive recreation and the protection of natural

resources. Much of the land for the Trail involved

the purchase of easements from private land

holders and Schwenksville Borough. It should be

noted that some of the land used for the Trail is

under unknown ownership and these lands would be important to be protected in the future.

While not available for active recreation use these

lands protect natural resources and serve as a

node of passive open space within the county-

wide greenway system.

OPEN SPACE NEEDS Figure 33 shows the results of applying the

NRPA’s old acreage standards to Schwenksville

Borough. Using the Borough’s 2000 population and existing park land, the Borough currently

meets the standards for a neighborhood park.

57


The Borough currently does not have a community level park and does not meet those

standards. Once again, it must be stressed that the

Borough only exceeds the minimum acreage

standards for neighborhood parks and that the

Borough generally has the capacity to meet the

residents recreational needs. It does not imply that the level of recreation service supplied to Borough

residents is sufficient since that determination

would involve more detailed surveys and

inventories. In addition, meeting the minimum

standard does not mean the Borough should not

add additional recreation lands. As Figure 33

indicates, the Borough will only exceed the minimum standard for neighborhood parks by 2

to 4 acres in 2025. The Borough should

consistently look for opportunities for expansion of

the Borough park system, through both the

creation of new parks and expansion of existing

parks, in order to comfortably exceed the

minimum NRPA standards and provide for a diversity of recreation opportunities. Given that the

Borough does not have a park adjacent to the High Pointe and Spring Mount Summit complexes,

a park would be appropriate in that area. Also,

adding to the area along the Perkiomen Creek,

while not providing opportunities for ballfields or

playgrounds, will satisfy the Borough’s objective of

providing direct boating access to the creek and will protect important natural features. Lastly, it

will also be necessary to exceed the minimum

NRPA acreage standards in order to ensure parks

are accessible to all residents.

LOCATIONAL NEEDS The systems approach to defining open space

needs utilizes a level of service analysis that

measures how the park facilities meet the

demands of the users. However, the systems approach still recognizes the need to provide

open space within a uniform proximity of all

residents. While there are many factors to consider

when acquiring land for open space, identifying

Figure 33Minimum Open Space Needs

2000 2010* 2025*

1693 1690 1700

Range From To From To From To

Recommended Acreage**

Community 8 14 8 14 9 14

Neighborhood 2 4 2 4 2 4

Total 11 18 11 18 11 18Existing Acreage

Community

Neighborhood

Total

Difference

Community -8 -14 -8 -14 -9 -14

Neighborhood 4 2 4 2 4 2

Total -4 -11 -4 -11 -4 -11

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; MCPC; NRPA

* Projected Population

** Recommended Acreage - Range per 1000 persons as follows:

Community Level = 5.0 - 8.0 acres; Neighborhood Level = 1.25 - 2.5 acres

Total = 6.25 - 10.5 acres

0

6.47

6.47

0

6.47

6.47

Projected Population*

0

6.47

6.47

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Meadow Park

1/2 Mile Service Area

Public Open Space

Figure 34 Open Space Needs

59


those areas of the Borough outside the basic service area of existing park land may help to

further prioritize potential acquisitions.

Overall, the service area analysis indicates that the

many residents are within a reasonable proximity

to Meadow Park. The only areas underserved for

Meadow Park are located in the northernmost

area of the Borough. While there are no

community level parks in the Borough,

Schwenksville also has the Perkiomen Trail, Schwenksville Elementary School playground and

ball fields, Memorial Park (located in Schwenksville

and Lower Frederick Township on Park Avenue),

as well as access to Central Perkiomen Valley Park,

Pennypacker Mills, and Spring Mount via the

Perkiomen Trail.

GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE PROTECTION The NRPA does not have acreage standards for

greenways that provide for passive recreation or

for protection of sensitive natural resources, such

as wildlife or riparian corridors. Obviously, the

physical characteristics of communities can vary

greatly, as can the quality of existing environmental resources. Consequently, resource

protection goals are very difficult to quantify.

Greenways should ultimately connect both

regional natural resources and recreational sites,

such as Green Lane Reservoir and Upper

Perkiomen Valley Parks, and Evansburg Park.

Coordination with adjoining municipalities and

regional plans is important for both resource

protection and greenway design. The County’s Perkiomen Trail protects an important stream

corridor that is a central feature of the Borough’s

greenway network linking the Borough to

regional resources.

Schwenksville’s Revitalization Plan highlights

Schwenksville as a greenway community and the

1996 Open Space Plan identified the preservation

of sensitive natural features and scenic resources

as overall Borough goals. One of the key elements of this plan is to enhance the Perkiomen Trail and

encourage connections to other County trails

throughout the Borough.

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61


CHAPTER 9 EVALUATION OF COUNTY AND

ABUTTING MUNICIPAL PLANS

The preceding chapters investigated the resources, needs, and opportunities that exist within Schwenksville. With

this information, recommendations can be made to effectively to serve Borough residents. However, the land

use decisions that the Borough makes affect the larger region just as decisions made in neighboring municipalities

affect Schwenksville. Therefore, this open space planning effort should not be performed in the vacuum of

municipal borders, but consider surrounding planning efforts.

This chapter compares the recommendations of this plan with those in the County Comprehensive Plan

and the comprehensive, open space, and revitalization plans of abutting communities. The intent is to

prevent conflicts between plans and to encourage collaboration of efforts. By gaining an understanding

of how Schwenksville’s plan will fit into the larger open space and trail linkage picture, partners can

optimize both the quantity and quality of future open space preservation and management.

COMPARISON TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAND USE PLAN AND OPEN SPACE PLAN In 2001, Montgomery County began updating its

Comprehensive Plan. With adoption expected in

2005, this plan will help guide the growth of housing, transportation, economic development,

and natural & cultural resource management,

through 2025 and beyond. Each of these factors

could potentially bear great significance on open space needs and opportunities in Schwenksville.

The County’s recently adopted Vision Plan sets up four issues as the highest priority for action:

• Controlling sprawl

• Controlling traffic congestion

• Preserving open space/natural areas

• Revitalizing older boroughs and townships

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Schwenksville’s Open Space Plan addresses all of these issues by setting a future course for wise

land use, increasing linkages and accessibility, and

preserving open space.

The draft version of the Comprehensive Plan lists

48 goals that describe and expand upon the vision

of the County in 2025. Several of these goals

parallel those in this Open Space Plan, adding

strength to the recommendations set forth here.

APPLICABLE COUNTY GOALS LAND USE

• Direct Development to Designated Growth Areas

• Enhance Older Developed Areas

• Preserve and Create Community Identity and a Sense of Place

OPEN SPACE, NATURAL FEATURES, AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

• Protect and Manage Wetlands, Streams, Steep Slopes, Woodlands, and Natural Habitats

• Create a Greenway System along Rivers, Creeks, and Other Sensitive Natural and Historic Features

• Develop a Countywide Network of Interconnected Trails

• Provide Park Facilities to Meet the Public's Recreation Needs

• Protect Scenic Roads, Vistas, and Viewsheds

• Protect Historic Resources and Cultural Landscapes

TRANSPORTATION

• Increase Opportunities to Take Public Transit, Walk, Ride a Bike, or Other Nonautomotive Transportation Means

WATER RESOURCES

• Protect Water Quality

• Effectively Manage Flooding

• Create Attractive Stormwater Facilities that Control Flooding, Recharge Groundwater, and Improve Water Quality

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Attract and Retain Business by Maintaining a High Quality of Life

• Revitalize the County's Downtowns and Main Streets

• Adaptively Reuse Vacant and Underutilized Industrial Sites

More specifically, the County Comprehensive Plan

identifies a number of priorities relevant to Schwenksville. Several trails discussed in the plan

run through Schwenksville. These trails are

discussed further in Chapter 5 of this plan. The

County Comprehensive Plan indicates the

Perkiomen Greenway as a primary greenway.

The Spring Mountain Natural Area is also

highlighted as an important area of focus for the county. In addition, Route 29 is indicated as an

aesthetically unique scenic road.

RELATION TO PLANS OF ABUTTING MUNICIPALITIES Three townships abut Schwenksville. The current

zoning map, open space policies, and other

pertinent information of each township are summarized below. Adjacent, yet incompatible,

land uses may result in conflicts while potential

linkages could lead to cooperative partnerships

between municipal neighbors.

As a result of the Montgomery County Open Space

Program of 1993, these municipalities developed an

Open Space Plan soon thereafter. In the past ten

years since the last update of open space plans,

parcels have been preserved, trails proposed and

developed, and the needs of the community have changed. It is therefore vital that Schwenksville keeps

abreast of the continually evolving planning efforts of

its neighbors and the county.

PERKIOMEN TOWNSHIP

Perkiomen adopted its Open Space Plan in 1994. The two communities share the Perkiomen Trail.

In addition, the proposed Evansburg Trail, which

will connect Pennypacker Mills to Evansburg State

Park, is located near Schwenksville and will tie into


Perkiomen is embarking on their new open space

plan. The Township recently passed an open

space referendum for the preservation of open

space. The referendum, which increased the

Township’s earned income tax to help pay for open space preservation efforts, passed by about

70% of the voting population.

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Currently, informal discussion is underway with Perkiomen Township Supervisors about a

pedestrian connection to Pennypacker Mills and

protection of the Boyer Run. Additionally, a 7 acre

portion of the Spring Mountain House site, located

in Perkiomen Township, has not be acquired.

Additional discussions will be required with Perkiomen Township in order for the trail

connection to Spring Mountain House, the

pedestrian connection to Pennypacker Mills, and

protection of Boyer Run projects to occur.

Additional descriptions of these efforts are found

throughout this plan.

LOWER FREDERICK TOWNSHIP

Lower Frederick adopted its Open Space Plan in

1995. Their last plan discussed the Perkiomen Trail

and Sunrise (Swamp Creek) Trail connections. The

Sunrise Trail location will be of particular interest to

Schwenksville as it begin in the vicinity of Park

Avenue and connect to the Perkiomen Trail. Lower Frederick’s last plan did not discuss any

proposed change to the Memorial Park area which

is in both Lower Frederick and Schwenksville.

Lower Frederick is currently embarking on their

new open space plan.

UPPER SALFORD TOWNSHIP

Upper Salford adopted its Open Space Plan jointly

with Schwenksville Borough in 1996. Together

the two communities bought the Spring Mountain

House Site. There are currently no formal plans for

the site. However, the Spring Mountain Area

Conservation Plan prepared by the Natural Lands

Trust in 2001, discusses the Spring Mountain House site as a part of the overall publicly-owned

Spring Mountain Natural Area. There has been

informal discussion with Upper Salford Supervisors

regarding a trail connection to the Spring

Mountain House site. Additional conversations will

be necessary for this project to proceed.

Upper Salford wrote a draft trail plan entitled,

“Crossroads and Greenways: A Community

Connections Plan for Upper Salford Township, dated May 2003. This plan’s recommendations

has been incorporated into their new open space

plan which Upper Salford is currently updating.

The Community Connections Plan looks at

greenway connections, connections within

villages, and greenway connectors. One of the

focus areas is around Spring Mountain.

Connections are discussed from the Perkiomen Trail to Upper Salford Township Park and along

tributaries of the Perkiomen Creek connection to

the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek.

REGIONAL PLAN The Central Perkiomen Valley Regional Plan

was adopted in June 2005. This plan involves

the communities of Collegeville, Lower

Frederick, Perkiomen, Trappe, and Upper Frederick. The plan highlights the importance

of investment in open space and regional

economic development. Specifically, some of

the plan’s objectives include: preserving and

protecting the environmentally sensitive areas

and natural resources in the region,

coordinating open space and recreational opportunities between the member

municipalities, encouraging linkages between

public open space and the Perkiomen Trail,

and developing active and passive recreational

opportunities in the region.

REVITALIZATION PLAN Schwenksville’s Revitalization Plan was adopted in

2002. The plan entitled “Schwenksville: Gateway

to the Perkiomen Trail: Pennsylvania’s First Greenway Community” indicates that the

Perkiomen Trail is the centerpiece for the

community and its economic development. The

plan discusses trail gateways and access locations

throughout the Borough, trailhead parking,

directory signage, and linkages to the Perkiomen

Trail including a pedestrian bridge from the Borough to Pennypacker Mills. A main focus of

the plan is on the creation of a Trail House which

would cater to Perkiomen Trail users and visitors of

nearby attractions.

SWAMP CREEK STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN Schwenksville is participating in the Act 167

Stormwater Management Plan with Lower Frederick, Upper Frederick, Limerick, Lower

Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, New Hanover, and

Douglass, and seven communities in Berks

County.

64


REGIONAL COOPERATION One of Schwenksville’s goals is to work with

adjacent communities on park and recreation

programming. This coordination will enhance the

region’s park and recreation opportunities. There

is also opportunity for coordination between communities on trail and pathway connections

(through sidewalks or off-road trails).

Furthermore, as a part of Schwenksville’s

participation in the Central Perkiomen Valley

Planning Commission, the Borough will continue

to discuss its open space efforts with the member

municipalities.

65


CHAPTER 10 RECOMMENDATIONS:

PRESERVATION PRIORITIES

This chapter discusses proposed target areas for the acquisition of new public open space. The areas

mentioned are areas that the Borough believes should be protected. A number of acquisition methods

are available to the Borough in addition to outright purchase (fee simple ownership), such as easements

and leasing which are discussed in more detail in this chapter. The Borough will explore funding

opportunities for the acquisition of open space and coordinate with neighboring communities and the

county to implement these recommendations.

PARK DEVELOPMENT The purchase of land for Centennial Street Park

would protect important natural features in the

Borough as well as provide active recreation

opportunities for Schwenksville’s residents. The

site contains steep slopes, woodlands, and a

tributary of the Perkiomen Creek. The lower portion of the site could include walking trails and

a restored ice pond. The ice pond was used to

store ice for an adjacent creamery and for cold

storage on the Reading Railroad’s “dairy run” to

Reading Terminal in Philadelphia. The trails could

have interpretative signage explaining the ice

pond’s former history. The upper portion of the site, adjacent to the High Pointe and Spring

Centennial Street Park site

66


Mount Summit communities, would be developed as a playground. The Borough has

been pursuing grant opportunities for the

acquisition of the property and continues to

view this property as its highest priority.

been purchased by the county but the majority of the trail right-of-way is by

easement rather than fee simple. In

order to add to the Perkiomen

Greenway and follow through with the

recommendations from the last plan, the

lands under unknown ownership could

PASSIVE RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION • Out parcel near Memorial Park

From an environmental preservation

perspective the out parcel adjacent to

the county-owned Memorial Park

should be acquired if possible. This

property is within the floodplain. If the county is unable to acquire this property,

the Borough is willing to pursue it,

depending on availability of funding.

• Lands along the Perkiomen Creek to add to

the Perkiomen Greenway and for boat

launch access.

As a part of the Perkiomen Trail, some

lands along the Perkiomen Creek have

be acquired under quiet title and other unused land along the creek that is

bisected by the Perkiomen Trail could

also be acquired. Not only would this

land add to the continuation of the

Perkiomen Greenway but it would also

allow for the creation of boat launch access.

• Land adjacent to Gravel Pike and Boulevard Ave.

Land adjacent to the Boulevard Avenue

properties and Gravel Pike is under

unknown ownership. This should be

clarified so that maintenance issues (such

as downed trees) could be addressed but also because this property contains

significant woodlands in the Borough.

• Lands that enhance existing open space in the

Borough and/or protect vulnerable resources.

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The Borough will consider acquisitions that will add to existing open space and

that also protects vulnerable resources.

GREENWAYS/TRAILS • Protection of Boyer Run

Boyer Run, a tributary of the Perkiomen

Creek, would be an important greenway in the Borough. Protection of Boyer

Run could be attained through an

easement or other methods discussed in

this chapter. In addition to protecting

the riparian corridor, this area could be

appropriate for a walking path that would tie into Centennial Street and

allow further access to the Perkiomen

Trail. There also is a potential for

stormwater management in the vicinity

of Boyer Run to address flooding issues.

The majority of stormwater flows from

Perkiomen Township. Schwenksville will coordinate with the Township in this

effort more formally to address

stormwater management as well as

preservation of the corridor and on any

proposed walking path.

• Spring Mountain House Site Access

There is an opportunity for a loop trail

from the Spring Mountain House site to

Spring Mountain and to the Perkiomen

Trail. Schwenksville should work with

Upper Salford Township and Perkiomen

Township to develop this further. This

concept is discussed in more detail in Chapter 11.

EVALUATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS The properties discussed have been evaluated based on the following and are inventoried and

mapped shown in Figures 35-36:

• Location

• Distribution

• Balance of Types

• Diversity

• How it meets the needs and goals

• Creation of an overall network or system

• Linkages with the municipality and to outside

• Ability to acquire or protect.

• Current vulnerability.

ACQUISITION METHODS There are a number of ways a municipality can obtain land for open space. An overview of these

alternatives is provided here to serve as a guide for

the Borough’s future open space acquisition efforts.

In the long term, all of these could conceivably be

used by the Borough, although at any given time

one or more may be more appropriate than others for acquiring a specific site. More generally, however,

they indicate that the Borough can be flexible in its

approach to implementing the plan’s goals. The

choice of the appropriate acquisition method often

depends on the sellers needs, the open space

preservation goals, and the requirements of the

funding sources.

FEE SIMPLE ACQUISITION

This option is the most direct way to acquire

open space because it simply involves

negotiating with a private landowner to arrive

at a mutually acceptable purchase price and

then completing the deal. The municipality then has free and clear title to the property, or

fee simple ownership. Because it is usually a

straightforward transaction, municipalities

often prefer this approach, particularly for

establishing a community park.

Figure 35Proposed Open Space Preservation Priority

Name Map ID

Centennial Street Park A

Perkiomen Creek Greenway and Boat Launch Access B

Boyer Run Greenway C

Spring Mountain House Trail Connections D

Land adjacent to Boulevard Avenue E

Outparcel near Memorial Park FAcquisition of lands that enhance existing open space in the Borough and/or protect vulnerable resources

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INSTALLMENT BUYING

With this method, the municipality agrees to

purchase a set number of acres annually until the

full parcel is acquired. In return, the full site is removed from the tax rolls when the initial

agreement is signed. The owner may choose to

remain on his/her land until it is completely sold

and paid for. The advantage of this method is

that benefits accrue to both the municipality and

the landowner. For a municipality with limited

funds, installment buying spreads the cost over a period of time. The landowner in the meantime is

relieved of real property responsibilities when the

agreement is signed.

LONG TERM LEASE WITH OPTION TO BUY

This method involves the negotiation of a lease

price with a property owner and includes

conditions for use and possible purchase of the

property. The primary advantage is that it permits flexibility; if the property is not needed in the

future for open space, it returns to the owner.

MANDATORY DEDICATION

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code

(Act 247) enables municipalities to require that

residential development dedicate land or fees in lieu of land for public recreation. In order to do

this, municipalities must have an adopted

recreation plan and an adopted ordinance

relating to mandatory dedication before land or

fees can be accepted. The amount of land

required must be related to the demand for

recreation land typically created by new development. The required fee should reflect the

fair market value of the land.

PURCHASE AND LEASE-BACK

Purchase and lease-back results in buying land

and leasing it back to the owner in accordance

with agreed-upon policies for the use and protection of the land. Its primary advantage

is that it permits purchase of property before

prices rise or before the property is lost to

development. It also permits flexibility because

once the land is purchased it can be used for

another public purpose, sold, or exchanged for

another parcel.

PURCHASE AND RESALE

This method is similar to purchase and lease-back,

except that the land is purchased with the sole intent

of reselling it under conditions or restrictive covenants. If the land is acquired at a low cost, the

resulting profits help repay initial purchase costs and

can be used to acquire additional land. Another

advantage is that after resale, the municipality is

relieved of ownership and maintenance

responsibilities and the land is taxable.

LEASING

This method is a popular, relatively inexpensive

way to acquire open space, especially if the land

is unlikely to be developed (for example, reservoirs

and utility land). The term of the lease usually

ranges form 20 to 50 years; at a minimum, a

period should be established that is long enough to finance anticipated capital improvements. The

owner of the leased land prescribes conditions

and terms under which the land can be used and

the lessee is required to carry liability insurance

covering personal injury and property damage.

EASEMENTS

Easements are a successful way to save public

funds, yet receive open space benefits. An

easement is a limited right over land owned by

another person (often a government entity or

land trust). Legally, a person has the right to use

his property subject to zoning laws, subdivision

regulation, etc; however, the owner may sell his/her right to use the land in specific ways.

Conservation easements are used to preserve land with relatively low cost (without acquiring the

whole property). The land remains privately

owned and the easement involves the property

owner voluntarily agreeing to donate or sell the

right to develop the land. The property has a

deed restriction on the property that is binding for

future owners. It may require that there be no new buildings constructed or woodlands will be

preserved and can result in tax breaks for owners.

Pedestrian easements allows access for the public to

walk, hike, and ride bicycles along a specific area.

EMINENT DOMAIN

Eminent domain is the condemnation of land for

a public use by due process of the law. It must


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involve the determination of a fair market value for the property and a clear definition of the

public purposes for which it is being condemned.

Before exercising the right of eminent domain, a

municipality should study the necessity of

obtaining the particular site and the feasibility of

acquiring it by other acquisition methods. Only if all other methods fail and the property is essential

to an open space system should eminent domain

be considered.

LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVANCIES

Land trusts and conservancies are private, non-

profit tax exempt trusts, usually organized by a

citizen supported, non-profit agency. The funds

can be used to provide open space and to

preserve natural resources such as stream valleys. Administration and management of the land are

the responsibility of the service agency. Private

non-profits have an advantage in that they can

often move faster to acquire property than can a

government agency. Frequently a public-private

partnership is formed whereby the private agency

acquires land and then resells it to a government agency at a later date.

There are a number of existing conservation groups what will work with private

landowners to conserve their land. However,

such situations may or may not include

provisions for public access. Because of this, a

municipality should work closely with these

organizations and landowners where public

access is a goal. In this way, conservancies can function as an alternative method of

acquiring open space.

LAND EXCHANGES

This method involves the trading of land between

one owner and another to obtain mutual

advantages. An arrangement can be made between landowners to exchange land that

serves their interests.

VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS

Voluntary agreements can be established

between government agencies and owners of

agricultural lands, industrial holdings, and utility lands for various purposes. They are strictly

voluntary, with permission to use the land for

public enjoyment in clearly specified ways. For example, a utility company might permit trail use

of a power line right-of-way.

PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

If the municipality is only interested in protecting

land or designated features of a property without

gaining the right for public access, then this

method of acquisition of partial interests rather

than full fee title in land is available. In essence, a municipality could preserve significant natural,

scenic, historic, or cultural resources by

purchasing a landowner’s right to develop the

property or otherwise alter the character of the

features that are deemed worthy of protection.

RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND PURCHASE OPTION

These methods involve establishing an agreement

which specifies that the land may be acquired by

the municipality at a future date. A right of first refusal provides the municipality with the option

to match an offered purchase price within a

specified time period should a landowner receive

a legitimate offer to sell. A purchase option is

simply a right that the municipality holds to

purchase the land by a specified date at a specified price. Both rights of first refusal and

purchase option can be either donated or sold to

the municipality.

LIFE OR TERM ESTATES

This technique involves the acquisition of land

with certain restrictions attached to the deed. A municipality may be better able to negotiate the

purchase of property if certain interests in the land

are reserved for the benefit of the landowner. For

example, a municipality could purchase land with

all rights of ownership conveyed except the right

to occupy a house or a portion of the full property

for a specified term (usually 25 years) or until the death of the landowner.

DONATIONS AND BARGAIN SALES

These methods of acquisition involve obtaining

land at less than its full market value. Receiving

donations of the full value of land is the least

expensive way for a municipality to obtain land and can, in some instances, be a wise approach

72


for a landowner to take to directly benefit from tax incentives and the shelter effects of charitable

deductions. If a full donation of land is not

possible or if the landowner has an immediate

need for cash through sale, then a partial

donation and bargain sale might be a prudent

alternative. By selling land at a price that is less than its full value, a landowner can still receive tax

benefits based on the difference between the fair

market value of the land and its actual sale price.

The primary benefit to these techniques is that a

municipality acquires land at a lower cost while

the seller obtains tax deductions.

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CHAPTER 11 OPTIONAL PLAN ELEMENTS

This chapter addresses the optional plan recommendations for Schwenksville related to green

infrastructure, heritage resource conservation, and municipal trail and pathway development. These

elements are particularly important because they will contribute to Schwenksville’s revitalization as a

“Gateway to the Perkiomen Trail.”

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Communities with limited opportunities to acquire

large vacant tracts of land have the opportunity to

improve their “green infrastructure” under the 2003

Green Fields/Green Towns Program. Green

infrastructure may include the creation of safe, usable open space, recreation areas, or public spaces

through the demolition of dilapidated property or the

restoration of older industrial sites to parks, plazas,

trails, or natural areas. Landscaping or improving

existing open space and recreation areas are also

included in this category.

The importance of green infrastructure is that it

helps create a sense of place. Schwenksville’s

revitalization goals support this effort such as the trail gateway and Trail House concepts.

One of aspect of green infrastructure is street trees. Street trees give relief to the urban

landscape and help create a more livable,

walkable environment. When strategically

placed and maintained in redevelopment

areas, commercial districts, parking lots, and

neighborhoods, they add aesthetic appeal, filter air, provide shade, and generally improve

property values.

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Green City Strategy is a model program currently used

by Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Transformation

Initiative. The program focuses on abandoned

or underutilized tracts, bringing green space

and gardens into urban districts. The NTI

Green City Strategy is shown in Figure 37. Many of the concepts applied and lessons

learned in Philadelphia are applicable to the

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efforts of Schwenksville to maintain its green canopy over its streets and to further its

revitalization goals.

Also, when coupled with regulation concerning

façade treatments, public amenities, and

building design standards, a complete

streetscape aesthetic can be created. This adds

continuity to a district, especially when

standards are periodically reviewed. To ensure

long term viability of street trees, species diversity should be part of planting considerations.

Schwenksville's green infrastructure strategies are discussed below in relationship to its revitalization

goals and objectives.

REVITALIZATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Schwenksville's Revitalization Goals are as follows:

• Regreen the Borough’s Streetscapes.

• Continue the Maintenance and Restoration of Schwenksville’s Parks.

• Enhance the Pedestrian Connections in the Borough.

PARK AND OPEN SPACE ENHANCEMENT MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING AND FUTURE PARKS

In order to continue the upkeep of existing

parks (and new parks), Schwenksville will

develop long-term maintenance strategies for

its open spaces. Following the acquisition of

Centennial Street Park, Schwenksville will adopt and implement a master plan for the site.

MEADOW PARK

A master plan for Meadow Park will be

developed to make it safe, useable, and accessible through repairing the drainage

issues to allow the park equipment to be used,

ensuring adequate and safe access to the park,

and developing a plan to embellish the park

further. The Borough will undertake a stream

bank restoration program in Meadow Park's vicinity and open new views to the Perkiomen

Creek. An important feature of the planning

process will be to enhance visual connections

to Meadow Park.

SPRING MOUNTAIN HOUSE SITE

Schwenksville will create a master plan with Upper

Salford Township and Perkiomen Township that

addresses the site’s accessibility and use as a scenic

area. This could include further trail connections

to the county trail system.

Figure 37 Philadelphia’s Neighborhood Transportation Initiative Green City Strategy

Investments in greening and in vacant land management can increase property values by as

much as 30%.

The Determinants of Neighborhood Transformation in Philadelphia, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania's Real Estate Department, November 2004.

75


resources. A heritage resource property primarily includes the land that provides an appropriate

setting for the historic building.

Schwenksville’s heritage resource protection goals

are discussed below.

HISTORIC RESOURCE PROTECTION GOALS

The Borough’s Historic Resource Protection goals

are as follows:

• Continue updating of historic structure inventory.

• Evaluate methods of historic preservation that would be appropriate for Schwenksville.

• Encourage volunteer participation in historic restoration work and educate the public about ongoing projects.

Schwenksville will enact the following measures

related to historic resources:

• Relocate and restore post office.

The restored post office will be an

important historical venue. It can be

used to describe the history of the postal

system in Schwenksville and also as a

place for information on trails throughout the community. The Central

Perkiomen Valley Historical Society will

provide the research for the descriptions

and assist in the restoration. Recently,

the Historical Society has stabilized the

building from further deterioration. A

local bank has agreed to assist in financing the restoration.

TREES

The Borough will evaluate its streets for

improvements. In particular, the Borough will

adopt an overall streetscape program which will evaluate where street trees are appropriate.

Streetscape enhancements will be concentrated

around the village commercial districts and

pedestrian corridors that have connections to the

Perkiomen Trail. In order to implement these

measures a shade tree advisory commission will

be formed and a tree inventory will be conducted. A landscaping ordinance will add regulations to

the Borough's codes and will include

specifications for indigenous trees. Currently there

is an ordinance that prohibits shade trees from

blocking street lights. The codes will be evaluated

to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT

One opportunity for environmental enhancement

is to restore the former ice pond on Centennial

Street as a part of the Centennial Street Park

development. This tributary of the Perkiomen

Creek is currently channelized.

HERITAGE RESOURCE CONSERVATION Under the 2003 Green Fields/Green Towns Program, communities have the option for

acquisition and limited stabilization of heritage

Meadow Park

Old Schwenksville Post Office

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Figure 38 Historic and Cultural Resources (Provided by the Central Perkiomen Valley Historical Society)

77


• Pleasantview Avenue

• Centennial Street to the Borough Line

• Walnut Street

The goal is to ensure access to Schwenksville

Elementary School and Main Street. These

connections will also make it easier to get to Main

Street and the Perkiomen Trail. Schwenksville will encourage coordination with surrounding

municipalities for new sidewalk connections as

new development occurs.

ENHANCE CONNECTIONS TO MEADOW PARK.

Entrances to Meadow Park will be enhanced to

make the park easily accessible from the

Perkiomen Trail and from Main Street.

CREATE A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CONNECTION TO PENNYPACKER MILLS.

View of Schwenksville from Pennypacker Mills

• Conduct an archaeological excavation of ice and mill houses using volunteer participation.

• Create a signage program for historic structures and sites.

• Develop an historic walking tour.

MUNICIPAL TRAIL AND PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT Under the 2003 Green Fields/Green Towns

Program, communities have the option for

acquisition of trail corridor land and the

development of a pathway system that

connects to or extends the planned county trail

system. Schwenksville’s trail plan goals are

discussed below.

TRAIL PLAN GOALS EXPLORE SIDEWALK NETWORK AND OFF-ROAD CONNECTIONS TO THE PERKIOMEN TRAIL, SCHWENKSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND MAIN STREET.

Figure 39 indicates existing sidewalk connections

and sidewalk priorities. In some cases, sidewalk

on one side of the street may be sufficient where

there is not room for sidewalk on both sides of the

road. The ultimate goal of sidewalk connections is

to enable residents to access one end of the

Borough to the other safely. Priority connections to be made include:

• North side of Perkiomen Avenue from 3rd to 4th Streets

• North side of Hillcrest Avenue from Summit Avenue to Mine Hill Road

• East side of Main Street over to Route 73

• West side of Forest Lane from Centennial Street to Pennypacker Drive

• South side of Perkiomen Avenue from 2nd Street to Main Street

• West side of Mine Hill Road from Highland Avenue to Woodland Avenue

• Summit Avenue from Mine Hill Road to Woodland Avenue

• State Game Farm Road, from Mine Hill Road to the Borough line

• Second Street from Perkiomen Avenue to the Borough line

• Highland Avenue from Summit Avenue to Pleasantview Avenue

• Clearfield Avenue

This pedestrian connection could be via a bridge from Meadow Park to Pennypacker Mills or access

to the historic site could be via the 73/29 bridge

connection. This pedestrian connection would

enhance the connection between Meadow Park

and Pennypacker Mills. The concept would

supplement the county efforts to connect the Spring Mountain focus area and the Pennypacker

Mills focus area. This greenway corridor (opposite

Schwenksville) will include a nature trail that will

link Pennypacker Mills through the riparian

woodland and floodplain on that side of the

Perkiomen Creek, to Park Ave, and then to the

Perkiomen Trail. A pedestrian connection from Meadow Park or via a revised 73/29 bridge would

create a loop trail from the Borough to

Pennypacker Mills. In order to determine the

78


appropriate location for such a bridge (either as a new bridge from Meadow Park or a reconstructed

bridge at 73/29), the Borough will look at the

feasibility of such crossings and determine how

best to link the Borough to Pennypacker Mills.

The Borough has discussed this concept with

Perkiomen Township and it is hoped that Perkiomen Township will support this application.

ESTABLISH GATEWAYS TO THE PERKIOMEN TRAIL THROUGHOUT SCHWENKSVILLE.

Schwenksville will establish gateways at 73/29,

Meadow Park, and Park Avenue as indicated in

Figure 40. Schwenksville is designing the

gateway at 73/29. Funding for this gateway is

from the Montgomery County Revitalization Program. The proposed improvements include

safety lighting at the entrance, banner signs,

decorative paving, and landscaping.

Schwenksville is also working with area

businesses to create access to the trail from

their establishments.

SPRING MOUNTAIN HOUSE TRAIL CONNECTION

Public access to the Spring Mountain House site could

be coordinated with Upper Salford Township and

Perkiomen Township so that trails to the site and to

Spring Mountain are further established. This concept

would utilize the existing Cedar Road entrance and

existing footpath. A master plan of the Spring Mountain House site would determine the public

access to the site and its linkages to the Perkiomen

Trail and to the trails on Spring Mountain. This effort

would supplement the county priority of a greenway

and pathway link between Spring Mountain and

Pennypacker Mills. In order for this concept to move

forward, more formal conversation with Perkiomen and Upper Salford Townships will be required.

SUNRISE TRAIL

Schwenksville will coordinate with the county

and Lower Frederick Township on the location of the Sunrise Trail. The conceptual trail

alignment indicates that the trail will start at

Park Avenue along the edge of Memorial Park

and continue along this county owned land

adjacent to Route 29 before it crosses to follow

the Swamp Creek. This alignment will create

easy access to the Perkiomen Trail and also reintroduce Memorial Park.


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83


CHAPTER 12 RECOMMENDATIONS:

NON-ACQUISITION PROTECTION METHODS

While acquisition of open space is a priority for Schwenksville, there are other ways that land can be maintained

as permanent open space without relying on funding sources. The techniques described in this chapter involve

zoning or subdivision ordinance provisions that would protect natural features or add additional open space. The

chapter concludes with a discussion of what Schwenksville could include in its ordinances.

wetlands, groundwater, steep slopes, and woodlands.

FLOODPLAINS

Floodplain ordinances (which exist in Montgomery County municipalities) restrict or prohibit

development within floodplains, especially

development within the 100-year floodplain. There

are typically three types of floodplain restrictions in

the county. One type, often common in the

boroughs, allows development within the

floodplain provided that buildings are floodproofed. Many ordinances do not allow

building within the floodplain. This type of

ordinance protects properties from flood damage,

INCENTIVE ZONING

Communities can encourage developers through

incentive zoning to provide open space, recreation

facilities, trails, and parkland. The incentives are placed in specific zoning districts, and might allow a

developer to get a higher density than permitted, or a

smaller lot size in exchange for providing preserved

open space areas. The ordinances should be crafted

so that the cost of providing the amenity does not

exceed the benefit received from the incentive.

NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION ORDINANCES

The ordinances discussed below protect natural

features such as floodplains, stream corridors,

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protects the environment within the floodplain, and also reduces the possibility of raising the flood

level. A third type of ordinance not only restricts

development within the floodplain but also

requires a minimum setback from the edge of the

floodplain. This type of ordinance protects the

unique wooded habitat, or riparian woodlands, of the floodplain.

STREAM CORRIDORS

Stream corridor protection ordinances go

beyond floodplain ordinances to protect the water quality of the stream in addition to plant

and animal habitats. These ordinances have a

minimum setback requirement from the stream

bank where no development can occur. A

minimum setback of 75 feet from the stream

bank, for example, will help stabilize the stream

bank, control sediment, remove nutrients that would pollute the stream, moderate stream

temperature, and preserve wildlife habitat. The

area within the setback should be left in its

natural state.

WETLANDS

In addition to federal and state governments,

municipalities can regulate development that

occurs on wetlands. Municipalities can prohibit

development on wetlands and require wetlands

to be shown on development plans. While developers can locate homes right next to

wetlands (after receiving all the federal and state

permits needed), such location might lead to

future problems. Homeowners might decide to fill

in the wet areas behind their home to have a

more usable back yard. To prevent this, local

municipalities can require a minimum building setback from wetlands. While federal and state

regulations address only the filling of wetland and

not the destruction of vegetation within the

wetlands, municipalities can take the extra step

and require the replacement of destroyed

wetlands vegetation.

GROUNDWATER

Wellhead protection ordinances can help protect

groundwater quality. Stormwater ordinances

which include provisions for groundwater

recharge also help protect groundwater quality, non-point source pollution, and the impact on

stream temperatures.

Wellhead protection areas are identified by a number of methods, such as a hydrogeologic

survey. Wellhead protection ordinances can

restrict certain uses such as gas stations, limit

the intensity of development (such as limiting

the density of single-family detached homes

with individual septic systems), and/or by controlling how a land use activity occurs (such

as farming with specific types of pesticides and

other chemicals) within wellhead protection

areas. A municipality can also impose design

standards that would not allow, for example,

hazardous materials containment structures or

large impervious areas such as parking to limit potential groundwater pollution.

STEEP SLOPES

Development on steep slopes, which are typically

slopes of 15 percent or more, can be restricted or prohibited through steep slope ordinances.

Development often is permitted on slopes of 15

percent to 25 percent if the minimum lot size is

increased and/or the percent of the lot disturbed

is limited. Some steep slope ordinances prohibit all

development, although typically development is

prohibited on extremely steep slopes such as 25 percent or more.

WOODLANDS

Protection of existing trees and woodlands can be accomplished with woodland preservation

ordinances. Some ordinances provide minimum

standards that must be followed during

construction for trees that will remain. Other

ordinances, when existing trees are preserved,

allow developers to put up fewer street trees,

buffers, or individual lot trees. Tree replacement is another requirement of some ordinances.

DONATIONS OF PROPERTIES FOR PERMANENT OPEN SPACE

Landowners can preserve their land by donating

the full title of their property or by donating their

development rights to a nonprofit land

conservation group. These two methods

permanently preserve open space.

Landowners who donate development rights

receive tax benefits and their land must be

permanently restricted from future development.

Land conservation groups that operate within Montgomery County and who receive donations

85


include: Montgomery County Lands Trust, the Brandywine Conservancy, the Natural Lands Trust,

the Nature Conservancy, the Conservancy of

Montgomery County, and the Wissahickon

Watershed Association.

Some land conservation groups can also help local

landowners to develop some of their land while

keeping the majority of the land open and deed-

restricted. This approach ensures that land is

developed in a sensitive manner yielding the landowner some monetary compensation, while

also preserving the most important environmental

amenities on the site.

REQUIRING OPEN SPACE IN DEVELOPMENTS OR A FEE IN LIEU OF OPEN SPACE

Municipalities can require developers to provide

open space through their zoning and/or the

subdivision ordinance.

An open space requirement when placed in the

zoning ordinance must be located in specific

zoning districts (for example the high-density

residential district). The zoning ordinance can

specify the percentage of required open space, for

example between 15 and 20 percent, and other criteria relevant to the maintenance of common

open space. The municipality can not require the

open space to be dedicated or open to the public

or to include specific recreational facilities.

However, the community can require that the

land meet specific standards such as being flat,

open land suitable for playing fields.

The subdivision ordinance can also require

developers to provide open space but it also allows further provisions. The ordinance can

require the land to be dedicated to the township

or borough. If a developer does not want to

provide the land, the ordinance can require fees in

lieu of land. An adopted recreation plan must be

in existence in order to have this requirement and

must follow the provisions within the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. A community needs

to make a decision of whether fees in lieu of

should be accepted so as to create larger central

parks for a number of neighborhoods or if there

should be smaller scale open space within

developments. Requiring developments to provide

open space allows municipalities to meet the needs of new residents without building

additional municipal parks. The provision of

requiring open space or a fee in lieu of allows for a community to have flexibility in establishing their

open space priorities.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION ORDINANCES

While not directly related to open space

preservation, historic preservation ordinances

help save historic properties that add to the

character of an area. There are a number of

techniques that communities can use for historic preservation.

One possibility is that communities can amend their building codes to require a review before

demolition permits are issued. This method

delays demolition and allows for community

input. Communities can also amend their

zoning ordinance to encourage historic

preservation. One way of encouraging historic

preservation is the creation of a village ordinance that gives development bonuses for

preserving buildings or restricts the uses within

the district. Incompatible uses with historic

areas, such as gas stations, are not permitted in

these districts. The zoning ordinance can also

encourage historic preservation by allowing

historic buildings to have more uses than normally permitted in a particular district. For

example, apartments, bed and breakfast

establishments, or offices might be permitted in

historic homes located in a single-family

detached residential district.

A third possibility is that communities can create

historic districts with approval of the Pennsylvania

Museum Commission. This approach is more

restrictive than the previous approaches discussed. Once a historic district is created, townships or

boroughs have stringent control over design and

preservation of facades. A township or borough

architectural review board is required to be created to

review all proposed changes to historic buildings.

SCHWENKSVILLE ACTIONS

Schwenksville recently passed the Natural Resource

Protection Ordinance that includes regulations for

steep slopes, woodlands, streams, watercourses,

wetlands, and ponds. The steep slope section of the

ordinance deals with steep slope disturbance limits,

grading, and filling, among other measures.

Wetlands can not be filled, woodlands can not be

86


reduced by 20% in the R-1 and R-2 Districts and can not be reduced by 50% in all other districts. In

addition, the ordinance requires that a stream corridor

setback of 75 feet measured from the centerline of the

watercourse shall be maintained. Also, no more than

20% of pond shorelines can be altered or filled.

Of the measures discussed in this chapter,

Schwenksville will adopt a landscaping ordinance

and riparian corridor ordinance. Schwenksville will

also embark on a stream bank restoration program for the Borough’s creeks and also correct the

drainage issues that make Meadow Park unusable

at times.

In addition, Schwenksville will evaluate methods of

historic preservation that would be appropriate for the

Borough. Currently the Borough has two village

commercial districts in its zoning for Main Street (VC-1

and VC-2) that is intended to preserve the historic

character of the Borough. In these districts, alterations and/or removal of existing buildings

and new construction can only be done through

a conditional use process. Additions can only be

made to the rear of the building and removal of

existing buildings can only be made if the building

is structurally unsound or can not be reasonably converted for handicapped accessibility or for the

proposed use. Should a building be removed

there are a number of other standards required,

for example that the new building should be

constructed in the same location as the previous

building and shall be similar in appearance, size,

scale, and bulk. Schwenksville is currently embarking on a more detailed historic inventory

that will help to ascertain whether an historic district

for the Borough is appropriate.

Schwenksville will also embark on a public

education program to educate residents about its

open space and historic resources. The Borough

will also pursue joint park and recreation

programming with neighboring municipalities.

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CHAPTER 13 IMPLEMENTATION

BACKGROUND Implementation is perhaps the most important part of the plan. Having identified and examined the open space

issues important to the Borough, a timeframe for implementation is established here to guide the Borough

toward achieving its goals. In the near term (Phase One), implementation principally involves acquiring open

space using the remainder of the Borough's funding allocation under the County open space program; basically,

this means doing so over the next three years (2005 through 2007). It also means taking other, non-acquisition

actions for open space preservation and recreation facility planning and development. In the longer term (Phase

Two), implementation will build upon these earlier efforts. For each proposed action, primary responsibility is

proposed among the following Borough groups:

• Borough Council

• Planning Commission

• Park Board

• Historic Society

• Open Space Committee

Schwenksville’s action items can be viewed in Figure 41. The type of protection techniques include acquisition, easements, planning (ordinances, studies, etc.), and program implementation.

88


Figure 41Implementation Timeline

ActionProtection Technique

Agency Responsible

Estimated Start Date

Estimated Completion

DatePriority

Acquire land for Centennial Street Park

Acquisition

Borough Council, Planning Commission, Park Board

2005 2006Short Term - Highest Priority

Acquire outparcel adjacent to Memorial Park

AcquisitionCoordination with Montgomery County

2005 2006 Short Term

Create long term maintenance strategies for Schwenksville's parks

Planning Park Board 2005 2006 Short Term

Protect Boyer Run vicinityPlanning, Easements/Acquisition

Borough Council, Planning Commission, Coordination with Perkiomen Township


Acquire land adjacent to Boulevard Ave

AcquisitionCoordination with Montgomery County, PennDOT


Create a shade tree commission

Non-acquisition Borough Council 2005 2007 Short Term

Update the landscaping ordinance

PlanningPlanning Commission, Borough Council


Adopt a riparian corridor ordinance

PlanningPlanning Commission, Borough Council


Relocate and restore post office

Program Implementation

Historic Society, Coordination with Montgomery County


Implement gateways to the Perkiomen Trail

Planning and Implementation



Adopt and implement a Meadow Park master plan which addresses the park's safety, accessibility, and, usability



2005 2008Short Term/ Long Term

89


Figure 41 (continued)Implementation Timeline


Agency Responsible



DatePriority

Enact a stream bank restoration program for the Perkiomen Creek


Coordination with Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy

2005 OngoingShort Term/ Long Term

Initiate and implement streetscape program for the Borough


Borough Council 2005 OngoingShort Term/ Long Term

Create a signage program for historic structures and sites, open space, and creeks


Historic Society 2005 Ongoing Long Term

Create an historic walking tourProgram Implementation

Historic Society 2005 Ongoing Long Term

Public education about open space areas and historic resources


Park Board, Historic Society

2005 Ongoing Long Term

Construction of sidewalk connections


Planning Commission, Borough Council

2005 Ongoing Long Term

Spring Mountain House master plan and trail connection


Coordination with Perkiomen Township, Upper Salford Township, Montgomery County


Create a pedestrian connection to Pennypacker Mills


Planning Commission, Borough Council, Coordination with Montgomery County, Perkiomen Township, Delaware Bridge Authority, PennDOT, Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy


Add to the Perkiomen Creek greenway and create boat launch areas

Acquisition/Easement

Borough Council, Coordination with Montgomery County


90


Figure 41 (continued)Implementation Timeline


Agency Responsible



DatePriority

Adopt and implement a Centennial Street Park master plan which addresses the park's safety, accessibility, and usability




Restore ice pond on Centennial Street as a part of Centennial Street Park


Park Board, Planning Commission, Borough Council, Historic Society, Coordination with Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy


Implementation of park maintenance strategy

Implementation Park Board 2006 OngoingShort Term/ Long Term

Acquisition of lands that enhance existing open space in the Borough and/or protect vulnerable resources

Acquisition/Easement

Planning Commission, Borough Council, Park Board, Coordination with Perkiomen and Lower Frederick Townships

Ongoing Long Term

Undertake an archaeological excavation of ice and mill houses through volunteer participation


Historic Society, School Departments

Ongoing Long Term

Update the historic resources inventory and pursue methods of preservation


Historic Society, Planning Commission, Borough Council

Ongoing Long Term

Continue Open Space Committee


Borough Council, Open Space Committee

Ongoing Long Term

91


FUNDING SOURCES In addition to the funds allocated through the County Open Space Program, Schwenksville is

eligible for funds from a variety of sources

including grants, general revenue funds, bond

issues, and donations (of cash, materials, or labor).

Schwenksville will pursue other grants

available from Montgomery County, The

Department of Conservation and Natural

Resources (DCNR), and others. These grants

can be used in conjunction with the County’s Open Space grants to help defray the cost of

the Borough’s match. A sampling of possible

grant sources is described below.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY OPEN SPACE GRANTS (MCOS)

In 2003, a referendum to fund open space and

green infrastructure projects was passed in

Montgomery County. Know as the Green Fields/

Green Towns Program, this funding was allocated

to municipalities, private non-profit conservation

organizations, and the county to preserve more

open space and enhance the livability of existing communities throughout the county.

Schwenksville is eligible to receive a total of $612,139 for open space acquisition and

enhancement. This grant requires matching

funds equal to 20% of project costs from the

municipality. The county grants come with

several conditions. The most important

condition is that any land purchased with grant

money must be permanently preserved as open space or for active recreation. Another

condition is that Schwenksville must complete

and adopt its Open Space Plan. This plan must

be approved by the County’s Open Space

Board before grant money can be disbursed.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM (MCRP)

Initiated in 2000, this program is intended to

create a strategic, economic development

program that will strengthen and stabilize the

county’s older communities for the long term. It

helps these communities become more vibrant, livable, and attractive places. Funding from this

competitive program is used for projects consistent

with the Borough’s Community Revitalization Plan.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES (DCNR)

DCNR manages a variety of grant and technical

assistance programs concerned with a variety of issues . DCNR annually awards about $30 million

in planning, acquisition, and development grants

for parks, recreation, rivers conservation, trails,

greenways, and protection of open space and

critical natural areas. Most DCNR grants require a

50/50 match. DCNR also provides pre-application workshops to assist applicants in the preparation

of their application forms.

A priority goals of the these programs is to develop and sustain partnerships with communities, non-

profits, and other organizations for recreation and

conservation projects and purposes. With this in

mind, the Community Conservation Partnerships

Program (C2P2) was established. It is a

combination of several funding sources and grant programs, including the Commonwealth’s

Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund

(KEY 93, described below), the Environmental

Stewardship and Watershed Protection Act

(Growing Greener, also described below), Act 68

Snowmobile and ATV Trails Fund, the Land and

Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), and the Recreational Trails component of the

Transportation Equity Act for the Twenty-First

Century (TEA-21).

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP)

The Growing Greener program has funded efforts to clean up Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams,

reclaimed abandoned mines and toxic waste sites,

invested in new alternative energy sources,

preserved farmland and open space, and

developed watershed restoration programs. Thus

far, Growing Greener has generated nearly $1.50 in matching funds for the environment for every

$1.00 in state money. As the Growing Greener

program evolves, it will focus on brownfield

redevelopment, farmland and open space

preservation, water quality improvements,

enhanced state and community parks, and an

upgraded fish and wildlife infrastructure. Growing Greener II will

accomplish these goals while making critical

investments in community revitalization and the

promotion of the use of clean energy.

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KEYSTONE RECREATION, PARK, AND CONSERVATION FUND

The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation

Fund Act was signed into law in 1993. It directs a

portion of the state’s Real Estate Transfer Tax to the

Keystone Fund, establishing a dedicated and

permanent funding sources for recreation, parks,

conservation, and other programming. Grants from this program require a minimum 50% match

from the recipient municipality or nonprofit

organization. As of 2002, $144 million had been

granted to more than 2,100 projects. The

demand on the Keystone Fund already outstrips

resources by a 4 to 1 margin.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DCED)

The mission of DCED is “To foster opportunities for

businesses and communities to succeed and thrive in

a global economy, thereby enabling Pennsylvanians

to achieve a superior quality of life.” Therefore there are several assistance and grant programs available to

Pennsylvania municipalities. Often, local economic

and community revitalization efforts are supported by

the implementation of green infrastructure and open

space plans. Below is a list of programs offered by

DCED through which revitalization funds may flow to

implement the recommendations described in this open space plan.

• Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) - Provides grant assistance and technical assistance to aid communities in their community and economic development efforts.

• Community Revitalization Program (CR) - Provides grant funds to support local initiatives that promote the stability of communities.

• Main Street Program - This program provides assistance for revitalization planning and projects.

• Elm Street Program - Grant funds for planning, technical assistance and physical improvements to residential and mixed use areas in proximity to central business districts.

• Industrial Sites Reuse Program - Grant and low-interest loan financing to perform environmental site assessment and remediation work at former industrial sites.

PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL & MUSEUM COMMISSION (PHMC) Many communities value their historic resources and work to preserve them for future generations. These resources can then be integrated into the open space network and cultural amenities of that

community to enhance local image and aesthetics. The PHMC offers several programs that aid municipalities in these efforts.

• Certified Local Government Grant Program - Provides funding for cultural resource surveys, national register nominations, technical and planning assistance, educational and interpretive programs, staffing and training, and pooling CLG grants and third party administration.

• Keystone Historic Preservation Grant Program - Funding for preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation.

• Pennsylvania History and Museum Grant Program - Funding under this program is designated to support a wide variety of museum, history, archives and historic preservation projects, as well as nonprofit organizations and local governments. There are 10 types of grants.

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PENNDOT) SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

This category includes projects for bicyclists and

pedestrians that permit safe passage for children

to walk or bike to school. This includes activities that enhance the transportation system through

the construction of new facilities or the

improvement of existing facilities to make them

more usable for pedestrians and bicyclists. Some

examples of eligible activities include: sidewalk

improvements, pedestrian/bicycle crossing

improvements, bike lanes, traffic diversion improvements, off-street bicycle and pedestrian

facilities. In addition, this program may fund traffic

calming measures to slow the speed of cars such

as the following: curb extensions, bulb-outs, traffic

circles, raised median islands, speed humps,

textured or raised crosswalks. Funds cannot be

used for bicycle and pedestrian facilities that are solely for recreational use.

HOME TOWN STREETS

This category includes a variety of streetscape

improvements that are vital to reestablishing our downtown and commercial centers. These will

include activities undertaken within a defined

"downtown" area that collectively enhance that

environment and promote positive interactions

with people in the area. Projects may include

sidewalk improvements, planters, benches, street

lighting, pedestrian crossings, transit bus shelters, traffic calming, bicycle amenities, kiosks,

community "gateway" plantings, signage and

other visual elements.

93


DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (DVRPC) TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

The TCDI program is intended to assist in

reversing the trends of disinvestment and decline in many of the region's core cities and

first generation suburbs by:

• Supporting local planning projects that will lead to more residential, employment or retail opportunities;

• Improving the overall character and quality of life within these communities to retain and attract business and residents, which will help to reduce the pressure for further sprawl and expansion into the growing suburbs;

• Enhancing and utilizing the existing transportation infrastructure capacity in these areas to reduce the demands on the region's transportation network; and

• Reducing congestion and improving the transportation system's efficiency.

CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CMAQ)

This program seeks transportation-related projects

that can help the region reduce emissions from highway sources and meet National Clean Air Act

standards. The program covers the DVRPC region

of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and

Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; and,

Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Mercer

counties in New Jersey.

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (TE)

Transportation Enhancements is a set-aside of

Federal highway and transit funds, mandated

by Congress in the Transportation Equity Act for

the 21st Century (TEA-21) for the funding of

"non-traditional" projects designed to enhance

the transportation experience, to mitigate the impacts of transportation facilities on

communities and the environment, and to

enhance community character through

transportation-related improvements.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RIVERS, TRAILS, AND CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The program offers technical assistance only to

nonprofit organizations, community groups, and

local or state government agencies. Rivers and

Trails technical staff offers the following types of

assistance for recreation and conservation projects:

• Building partnerships to achieve community-set goals

• Assessing resources

• Developing concept plans

• Engaging public participation

• Identifying potential sources of funding

• Creating public outreach

• Organizational development

• Providing conservation and recreation information

PECO ENERGY GREEN REGION OPEN SPACE GRANT PROGRAM

PECO Energy, a subsidiary of Exelon, is

currently involved in several environmental

partnerships including “TreeVitalize,” with DCNR, clean water preservation with The

Nature Conservancy, and environmental

education initiatives with the Schuylkill Center

for Environmental Education and Green Valleys

Association. Green Region grants are available

to municipalities in amounts up to $10,000.

The grants can be used with other funding sources to cover a wide variety of planning and

direct expenses associated with development

and implementing open space programs,

including consulting fees, surveys,

environmental assessments, habitat

improvement, and capital improvements for

passive recreation.

GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS AND BOND ISSUE

Schwenksville has the option of using general revenue funds for open space and recreation

purposes. It also has the option of issuing a bond

to pay for the capital costs of parkland acquisition

and development. The decision to pursue these

options rests with Borough Council after being

advised by the administration.

DONATIONS

Schwenksville should encourage donations

from individuals, businesses, and groups to

help pay for parkland acquisition, development,

and tree planting. The donations may be cash,

materials, or labor. Schwenksville could organize special days during which local

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citizens and groups could gather to participate in implementing open space projects.

SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS BRANDYWINE CONSERVANCY PALTA MEMBER

PO Box 141

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Counties where acquisitions completed: Bucks,

Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery,

Philadelphia

Mission: The mission of the Brandywine

Conservancy's Environmental Management Center

is to conserve the natural and cultural resources of

the Brandywine River watershed and other selected areas with a primary emphasis on

conservation of water quantity and quality.

Founded: 1967

Phone: (610) 388-2700

Email: [email protected]

www.brandywineconservancy.org

CONSERVANCY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY PALTA MEMBER

PO Box 28

Ambler, PA 19002-0028

Counties where acquisitions completed: Montgomery

Mission: The business and purpose of this

organization shall be to advocate the preservation

of historic and natural resources in Montgomery County to ensure their protection for future

generations. The main functions of the

organization shall be to identify and protect

historic structures, open space and natural

resources; sponsor educational preservation

programs; conduct survey and planning studies;

promote, assist with and accept conservation easements; and provide an information network

and clearinghouse for preservation information for

county residents, businesses, schools,

municipalities and organizations.

Founded: 1990

Phone: (215) 283-0383


HERITAGE CONSERVANCY PALTA MEMBER

85 Old Dublin Pike

Doylestown, PA 18901


Montgomery, Susquehanna, York Counties where acquisitions anticipated:

Northampton

Mission: Heritage Conservancy is a nonprofit

organization dedicated to preserving our

natural and historic heritage. Founded in 1958,

it was concern for the rapid loss of open space

in Bucks County which led to the formation of

the Bucks County Park Foundation, known

today as Heritage Conservancy.

Founded: 1958

Phone: (215) 345-7020 Email: [email protected]

www.heritageconservancy.org

LOWER MERION CONSERVANCY PALTA MEMBER

1301 Rose Glen Rd.

Gladwyne, PA 19035

Counties where acquisitions completed: Delaware, Montgomery

Mission: The Lower Merion Conservancy acts to

protect our area's natural and historic resources, open space, and watersheds for area residents and

future generations. Through education, advocacy,

and research, the Conservancy promotes collective

responsibility for these resources.

Founded: 1991

Phone: (610) 645-9030


www. lmconservancy.org

MONTGOMERY COUNTY LANDS TRUST PALTA MEMBER

PO Box 300

Lederach, PA 19450 Counties where acquisitions completed:

Montgomery

Mission: It is the mission of Montgomery County

Lands Trust to permanently preserve land and to

foster the wise stewardship of open space of our

county by: Acquiring easements and encouraging

donation of land to appropriate stewards. Helping

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to facilitate the creation of open space and natural amenities in existing communities. Promoting

environmentally sensitive, sustainable

development which preserves open space,

significant natural resources and our unique sense

of place. Providing educational programs that

strategically advance its mission.

Founded: 1993

Phone: (215) 513-0100

Email: [email protected] www.mclt.org

NATURAL LANDS TRUST PALTA MEMBER

1031 Palmers Mill Rd.

Media, PA 19063


Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia

Mission: Natural Lands Trust is a non-profit,

regional land conservation organization working

to protect the most critical remaining open lands in the greater Philadelphia region.

Founded: 1961

Phone: (610) 353-5587 Email: [email protected]

www.natlands.org

NORTH AMERICAN LAND TRUST PALTA MEMBER

PO Box 1578

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Counties where acquisitions completed: Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery

Founded: 1992

Phone: (610) 388-3670 Email: [email protected] [email protected]

www.nalt.org

PENNYPACK ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TRUST PALTA MEMBER

2955 Edge Hill Rd.

Huntington Valley, PA 19006

Counties where acquisitions completed:

Montgomery

Mission: The mission of the Trust and its

membership is to protect, restore and preserve the

lands of the central Pennypack Creek valley so that

they * remain an enhancement to the quality of

visitors’ lives, * remain a vibrant and diverse natural landscape supporting native plant and

animal life, and * become the standard of

excellence for innovative restoration and

stewardship practices to be shared with other

individuals and organizations joined in common

commitment to the environment.

Founded: 1970

Phone: (215) 657-0830

Email: [email protected] www.libertynet.org/pert

PERKIOMEN WATERSHED CONSERVANCY PALTA MEMBER

1 Skippack Pike

Schwenksville, PA 19473

Counties where acquisitions completed:

Montgomery

Mission: The Perkiomen Watershed

Conservancy is a nonprofit organization

founded in 1964 by local citizens to combat

pollution in the Perkiomen Creek and its

tributaries. The Conservancy provides an integrated approach to environmental issues of

the Perkiomen Watershed area through

environmental education, Watershed

stewardship and conservation programs.

Founded: 1964

Phone: (610) 287-9383


www.perkiomenwatershed.org

WISSAHICKON VALLEY WATERSHED ASSOCIATION PALTA MEMBER

12 Morris Rd.

Ambler, PA 19002 Counties where acquisitions completed:

Montgomery

Mission: Since 1957, the Wissahickon Valley

Watershed Association has been the leader in

protecting the open space of the Wissahickon Valley,

in enhancing its water quality, and in educating

people of all ages about environmental concerns.

Founded: 1957

Phone: (215) 646-8866

Email: [email protected]:

www.wvwa.org

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08/05 Prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Commission

schwenksville borough

Documents