Heritage Conservancy Staff Showcase Croydon Woods’ PA Great Preserve Award

“Croydon Woods has come a long way,” said Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller, Director of Education and Community Programs.

The Heritage Conservancy preserve in Bristol Township has officially been named a 2026 Great Preserve in Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association. Through its Great Places in PA Program, the APA PA recognizes places across the state that reflect successful planning and serve as a model for other communities. Only eight places earned the designation this year. Croydon Woods secured its spot as one of four in the Great Greenways/Trails or Preserves category, standing alongside the Ghost Town Trail System, the Palmer Bikeway, and the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area.

Before achieving this statewide recognition, the 80-acre property endured a very different reality. Before Heritage Conservancy acquired it, the site was designated an EPA Superfund site, plagued by illegal dumping and trespassing that turned it into an unsafe eyesore for local residents. Driven by community support, the Heritage Conservancy stepped in to remediate the land. Local partner organizations, area businesses, and dedicated neighborhood volunteers invested thousands of hours clearing out trash, laying the groundwork for a collaborative restoration process that continues to shape improvements today.

Transformation into a Biodiversity Haven

Today, the preserved landscape functions as one of the last remaining Atlantic coastal plain forests in Pennsylvania, situated in a densely developed area. More than 350 species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects inhabit the property, including some threatened or endangered varieties. Six trails weave through the protected woods, while ongoing restoration initiatives focus on forest and habitat projects, pollinator meadows, and converting an abandoned pump house into a bat house.

That rich biodiversity directly powers the organization’s educational mission. Approximately 1,500 students visit Croydon Woods each year to participate in hands-on environmental education, community science projects, and social and emotional learning programs. Hundreds more community members regularly attend seasonal gatherings, including the annual Spring Carnival and Glow Hike.

“I think it’s a really important place in this community,” said Mia Hibbs, Environmental Educator. “The community has a nice safe place to come and enjoy nature. And we get a really nice collaboration with the Bristol Township School District.”

Heritage Conservancy showcases award plaque with local educators

On October 19, staff from the Heritage Conservancy gathered near the preserve entrance alongside local educators to showcase the official award plaque. Attendees included Keystone Elementary Principal Mark Wilicki, Assistant Principal Crystal Smith-Herman, Bristol Township School District Chief Academic Officer Amy Coleman, and students from Kati Bryson’s fourth-grade class. Bryson has been a strong advocate for using Croydon Woods as a teaching tool.

“I love it here. Love coming outside. The kids always enjoy it, they leave with big smiles and they just have a great time,” Bryson said.

When visitors stop to explore, the sensory experience leaves a lasting impression. Students note that maintaining quiet reveals the sounds of surrounding wildlife, from birds and squirrels to the colors of the leaves and flowers.

Student artists help unveil mural at preserve entrance

Community ties to the protected land extend right up to the edge of the Bristol baseball fields near the Keystone Elementary entrance. In spring 2024, Bucks County artist Jean-Marc Dubus collaborated with student artists from Truman High School to unveil a mural. The artwork illustrates numerous species documented within the preserve, welcoming neighbors, students, and Little League families to venture onto the adjacent trails.

With planning awards highlighting its successful revitalization, Croydon Woods continues to rely heavily on its partnership with the Bristol Township School District and an active network of local volunteers. Preservation efforts and ecological monitoring remain ongoing as the site enters its next chapter as a recognized model for regional conservation.