South Chester Today

Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) and the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee, led by Vice Chairman Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), held a hearing on Tuesday regarding potential development of Big Elk Creek State Park by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). More than 160 community members attended the hearing at the new Avon Grove High School in Jennersville.

The hearing, titled “Big Elk Creek State Park,” featured an extensive list of in-person testifiers:

- John Hallas, State Parks director, DCNR.

- Hon. Andrew Dinniman, retired state senator, 19th Senatorial District.

- Hon. David Gerstenhaber, chairman, Franklin Township Board of Supervisors.

- Hon. Estace Walters, vice chairman, Elk Township Board of Supervisors.

- Hon. Eric Roe, Chester County commissioner.

- Anteia Consorto, Save Big Elk Creek.

- Gary Schroeder, founder, Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve.

- George Hundt Jr., executive director, Safety, Agriculture, Villages and Environment.

Additional written testimony was submitted by others.

For months, residents and stakeholders have advocated for Big Elk Creek State Park to be maintained as a preserve. They are fighting against DCNR’s proposal to develop the park into a major tourist attraction. Several testifiers questioned DCNR’s ability to manage new infrastructure given an existing billion-dollar backlog of outstanding maintenance needs across the state park system.

Testifiers emphasized preserving natural landscapes and endangered species while maintaining the area's overall serenity. Initially intended to remain undeveloped for a wilderness experience according to DCNR's statements in 2022, plans shifted towards significant projects including campgrounds and RV hookups.

“I challenge DCNR and PA State Parks to take the lead by renaming the Big Elk a preserve,” said Gary Schroeder. “The White Clay Creek Preserve has become the model for decisions in Big Elk. Let’s acknowledge this and declare Big Elk a preserve following the successful White Clay model.”

“The decisions made today at DCNR headquarters in Harrisburg will have an impact on Southern Chester for the next 100 years,” said Lawrence. “This hearing highlighted concerns that must be addressed. I strongly urge DCNR to live up to commitments made over the past decade and manage Big Elk Creek as a preserve.”