Kennett Township, Pennsylvania

Parks, Recreational Trails, and Open Space

Chad Hudson

December 12, 2023

Autumn Color Foliage in the Afternoon and Two Barns at Spar Hill Farm

Location and Geography

Kennett Township 1704

Kennett Township is located in southern Chester County on the Pennsylvania and Delaware State-Boundary.

US 2020 Census population for Kennett Township: 8,289

estimates July 1st, 2022: 9,191

Credit: US Census Bureau Quick Facts

Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Chester County's population in the 2020 Census was 534,413

US Census 2020 population for Pennsylvania: 13,002,700

Credit: U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts

Barkingfield Park

This property is truly bucolic with rolling hills, many beautiful trees and a beautiful row of Osage orange trees staggered along the road. The entire property originally consisted of 56 acres, of which the Pia family purchased the original historic home and barn with 11 acres, and the Township purchased the other 45 acres. --Kennett Township

Kennett Township's first park includes a dog park, sunflower field, wildflower field, cherry tree orchard, and a land stewardship pilot which engages the entire community.

"As part of this pilot project, all Township residents and landowners will have an opportunity to engage with the community-wide initiative and to learn about proven techniques to restore, enhance, and maintain natural areas in our region that are found in Barkingfield Park and are relevant to many properties in the Township." --Kennett Township

...the origin of this 200 year old farm's name

"If a fox was needed for a Hunt, one could always be found at Barkingfield Farm, where both the fox and the hounds were found barking"

-- Jan Weightman, the matriarch of the deLeeuw family; an excerpt from Barkingfield Park Established 2016 Stone Plaque

Barkingfield Park

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

http://google.com/maps

Kiosk Map

Barkingfield Park's Pavilion — Park Pavilion, Autumn 2018

Riparian Tree Plantings along Meadow Trail — Park Trail and Riparian Buffer Plantings, Autumn 2018

Barkingfield Park Kiosk Map with trails and points of interest.

Spar Hill Farm & Preserve

Cow Barn with background of blue sky, seen uphill from stream crossing — Cow Barn, ca. 1925, Spar Hill Farm & Preserve, Early Autumn 2023

Spar Hill Farm has a rich, productive history in Kennett Township. This history provides incentive for public preservation and recreation. The farm received its current name from its history of Feldspar mining in the early 1880s. Throughout its history the Quakers farmed its land for over 100 years and was originally known as Way Farm. In the 20th century, the farm produced dairy and turkey. -- Kennett Township Historical Commission The iconic cow barn and stable are still standing today located near the preserve's parking area.

Spar Hill Farm and Preserve encompasses +160 acres of rolling meadows, forests, and streams.

Burrows Run flows through the eastern meadow, which is a tributary of the Red Clay Creek.

Spar Hill Farm and Preserve

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

http://google.com/maps

Kiosk Map

There are 4.7 miles of trails to explore at Spar Hill Farm & Preserve.

Meadow trails meander alongside farmed fields and Burrows Run. Steep elevation changes throughout the preserve create challenging trail sections and breathtaking views.

Land on the north side of Burnt Mill Rd has recently added + 23 acres to the nature preserve.

Courtyard and Farmhouse, Early Autumn 2023

Spar Hill Farm & Preserve from hilltop, Early Autumn 2023

Map Tour

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Spar Hill Farm Entrance

Ice House

The ice house provides historical atmosphere when first entering the preserve.

View from Courtyard

A breathtaking skyline-meadow view from the farmhouse courtyard.

Cow Barn ca.1925

Emergent Abundance Farming Collective (EAFC)

"...is a small, enthusiastic community of passionate, ecologically-minded members in pursuit of local sustainable farming to combat food insecurity." -- EAFC Website

Riparian Buffer

A successful riparian buffer is growing along Burrows Run and behind cow barn.

Stable ca.1925

Arc Monument

Pennsylvania-Delaware State Boundary, Arc Monument #10, Spar Hill Farm, Kennett, U.S.A.

Woodland Trail Scene

Quarry

Osage Tree line

Mature Osage Orange trees can be found in great number on the Osage Trail

Trail View sharing Colonial Pipeline

Farm History

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Over the centuries, the farm has gone through multiple uses, with each phase bringing a distinct change in name and daily use.

Way Farm (1800-1925)
Schutt Farm (1925-140)
Spar Hill Turkey Farm (1940-1960)

Way Farm (1800-1925)

Livestock were raised for dairy products in a courtyard style

The farmhouse, stone barnyard, and ice house were built in 1848.

Schutt Farm (1925-1940)

Quaker Dairy Period including fluid milk dairying, poultry, truck farming, nursery specialty products.

The Cow Barn and Stable (ca 1925) are currently preserved at the farm today.

Spar Hill Turkey Farm (1940-1960)

Prisoners of WW II worked on the farm. Spar Hill Farm used as an example in the Turkey Farm Management Study (1955)

At Spar Hill Farm & Preserve, only select structures remain due to their historical significance and current condition.

Main Slide Photograph: Machine Shed as it stood in 2019

History

"The present land area that comprises Kennett Township was originally part of a 30,000 acre tract conveyed by William Penn to his children, William Jr. and Letitia. The tract known as Stenning Manor, surveyed by Henry Hollingsworth in 1701, included the land within the present boundaries of Kennett Square Borough, the Townships of New Garden, Pennsbury, and Pocopson, and several thousand acres in present day New Castle County, DE." -Kennett Township

Kennett Meeting House

Significance by the Library of Congress: Old Kennett is one of the oldest extant Friends meeting houses in the Delaware Valley, erected sometime between 1718 and 1731 Accessed December 19th, 2018.

Indian Hannah

"It is difficult to say who the first white settlers in the Township might have been, but it is known the Lenape Indians are native to the area. Indian Hannah, who has been called the "last of the Lenni-Lenapes," was born just north of the junction of U.S. Route 1 and PA Route 52. She lived and worked among the white settlers of the community and died in 1803. Although she is buried near Embreeville, a marker is on the grounds of the Chester County Tourist and Convention Bureau at Longwood." Kennett Township

Image Source: Kennett Township Website

National Register of Historic Places

Kennett Square Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Periods of significance, noted by the National Register , are 1800-1949.

Image: National Register Historic District Plaque at the trail entrance to Anson B Nixon Park; East State Street, Kennett Square, U.S.A.

Borough of Kennett Square Historic District Sign, East Street and Anson B. Nixon Park Trail, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

William Penn Conveyed Land (Local Townships Today)

Parks & Trails

Kennett Township has parks, nature preserves, trails, Kennett Greenway, and a continuing open space preservation endeavor.

Light Snow, Marshall Mill House Preserve

This preserve is one of many public preserves managed by Brandywine Red Clay Allliance (BRC) within southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Parrish Trail

Parrish Trail is one of the Kennett Greenway trails, meandering with the West Branch of the Red Clay Creek.

Red Clay Trail

Anson B. Nixon Park, Pennock Ball Park, and Red Clay Trail are located in Kennett Square. The parks are included in the Kennett Greenway, which continues to reach a connective trail network.

Overview Map:

Brandywine Red Clay Alliance Nature Preserves

The BRC Preserves are Marshall Mill House, Stateline Woods, Marshall Bridge, Chandler Mill, and New Leaf Eco Center. Myrick Conservation Center serves as their headquarters. Providing the public recreation, education and historical preservation.

Descending Kestrel's Trail with Landscape view, Stateline Woods Preserve — Stateline Woods Preserve, Summer 2019

Natural Scenery, Marshall Bridge Preserve — Marshall Bridge Preserve, Summer 2017

"BRC's Nature Preserves are open to the public from dawn to dusk; seven days a week with a few exceptions throughout the year. We invite you to come out with your family and friends to any of our preserves for an enjoyable walk through open space..." -- The Brandywine Red Clay Alliance

Anson B. Nixon Park

East Branch Red Clay Creek Trail Bridge, Anson B. Nixon Park — E Branch Red Clay Creek Trail Bridge, Anson B. Nixon Park

Kennett Greenway

The established trails included with the Greenway are Anson B. Nixon Park, Red Clay Creek Trail, Stateline Woods Preserve, Marshall Bridge Preserve, Chandler Mill Nature Preserve, Parrish Trail, and Pennock Ball Park.

The Greenway's concept is a trail network encompassing Kennett with the scenic Red Clay Creek, connecting the community's parks, preserves, and open space.

Red Clay Creek Trail and Railroad, Kennett Greenway, U.S.A.

Red Clay Trail, Kennett Greenway, E State St, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

"...conserving the natural environment, supporting agriculture, and connecting people to nature, by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and creating open space for everyone to enjoy."

-Kennett Township