Whitemarsh Township wants residents to weigh in on the future of its parks, trails and open spaces at a public Zoom listening session Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6:30 p.m.
The session is part of the township's Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, Open Space, Greenways and Trails Plan. According to the township's project page, the plan will replace four separate documents adopted between 2006 and 2009: the Parks and Recreation Plan, the Open Space Plan, the Greenway Plan and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Network Plan.
Residents can join by Zoom using Meeting ID 858 8312 6985 and Passcode 570157. The meeting is open to all township residents.
The project page says those older plans no longer reflect conditions on the ground. Properties like Abolition Hall, trail projects like the future Miracle-Nature Trail and new park amenities did not exist when the originals were written. The plans also predate the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
Thomas J. Blomstrom, the township's director of parks and recreation, is on the project team. Supervisor Beth Moy, who serves as liaison to the Parks and Recreation Board and the Open Space Committee, sits on the project's Grant Steering Committee. Board of Supervisors Chair Jacy Toll is listed among the project's key person-stakeholder interviewees.
Whitemarsh received a $60,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships Program on Nov. 12, 2024. That grant covers half the cost, with the township matching the rest. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $119,990 contract with consultant Gilmore and Associates on Nov. 13, 2025.
A community survey collected 1,072 responses between March 26 and May 1. An in-person visioning meeting on April 16 at the township building drew zero members of the public. The township then added a listening session on July 20 at the Miles Park Building, which the project page describes as having "significant in-person public turnout."
The project page states that all opinions, concerns and desires expressed at Wednesday's Zoom session will be documented and included in the final plan.
The plan aims to consolidate goals across the Parks and Recreation Board, the Environmental Advisory Board, the Open Space Committee and the Board of Supervisors into one document. It will also address connectivity to surrounding municipalities, including Conshohocken, Plymouth Township and Upper Dublin Township, all of which submitted letters of support for the project.
Residents can find the Zoom link and additional details on the township's comprehensive parks plan webpage.
