PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is proposing building a campground at a state park in southern Chester County, but the plan is getting opposition from members of the community.
Big Elk Creek State Park is nearly 1,800 acres and provides refuge for an array of threatened and endangered animal and plant species. Bald eagles can be seen in the park too, though they were taken off the threatened species endangered list in 2007.
But Anteia Consorto of Chester County is concerned about them and other animals potentially leaving the area if a campground is established in the park.
“They have had such a fight to come back that it would be a shame to see them pushed from their home and forced elsewhere,” she said. “This is a lovely open area where they are protected and they are thriving, and if there was a campground with overnight accommodations and lights and more noise and all of that, they are going to lose the habitat that they are using, the nesting space and the hunting ground.”
The DCNR’s preliminary plan includes an area for RVs and electrical hookups. When Consorto heard of the proposal, she started a Facebook group and an online petition against it.
“Contact your local legislature, contact your senators, your representatives, just let them all know that it’s not a local issue. … This is a fight to preserve land for all of Pennsylvania,” she urged.
Franklin Township is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss the proposal at 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the A.G. Charter School in Landenberg. The public is welcome to attend.