CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time ever, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society is taking its Landcare vacant land program outside of Philadelphia and bringing it to Chester.
Melissa Stutzbach, the program’s director, said a partnership with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, and the City of Chester, is helping them transform and maintain more than 100,000 square feet of vacant land across Chester.
“We’ve cleared 10 vacant lots, taking out all the debris, all the weeds, putting down topsoil, grass, a post and rail fence, and trees,” she said, adding the program would do more than just beautify blighted areas.
“There was a study that came out of UPenn that found neighbors near our vacant lots. Reports of depression decreased by 41% and crime was reduced by 26%.”
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said a partnership between PHS and the District Attorney’s office may seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance, but makes sense where the data is concerned.
“Statistically, it is proven [that] when you have beautification efforts,” he said, “when you have a neighborhood that is clean, that is green, you’re going to see a reduction in violence.”
Rouse said the partnership helps them combat violence in a different way than what is usually seen.
“What you have to do is show a commitment to the community for law enforcement to be down here saying we care … saying, ‘Kids, come and play here. We're going to create the space.’”
Barron Lacy, a PHS Landcare specialist and Chester resident, said the possibilities were nothing but positive for the city. “It makes developers look to want to come here, and it raises property values,” he said.
For Mayor Stefan Roots, the initiative reflects his own vision for Chester. “My vision is for green space to be within a five-minute walk of every front door in the city of Chester,” he said.
Roots suggested the renovated lots could be used for everything from play spaces for kids to cookout sites for families.
“As long as I’m invited,” he said, “I’m fine.”
