Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust (PERT) in Upper Moreland Township announced today that it has agreed to purchase the parcel of land that makes up the June Fete Fairgrounds.
News of PERT’s plans and a $300,000 open space grant came last month. The property is currently owned by Jefferson Abington Hospital and Abington Memorial Healthcare Corp. and reportedly valued at $4.15 million.
The transaction is set to close on or before June 30, 2024.
The agreement of sale with Jefferson Abington Hospital and Abington Memorial Healthcare Corp. includes a clause to keep the Fairgrounds as a green space forevermore. An additional clause states that PERT will grant the Abington Health Foundation Women’s Board an exclusive right to use the Fairgrounds for the 114-year-old June Fete Fair each year going forward.
“As a reputable land trust that is dedicated to the preservation of open space forever, PERT will not only own the land outright, but also protect the land under a conservation easement that will forbid development in perpetuity,” PERT said in a statement.
The 41.49-acre parcel situated along Huntingdon and Edge Hill roads is currently zoned for residential development. With the agreement, PERT officials believe that they were able to rescue the relatively flat from housing developments.
“We are delighted to give the Pennypack Trust the opportunity to purchase the land. It’s really the best of both worlds where the Fair can continue, and the land is preserved forever,” said Jill Kyle, Senior VP for Regional Advancement at Jefferson Health.
PERT noted that all proceeds of the Fair currently go toward capital improvements at Jefferson Abington Hospital, and the proceeds of the sale of the Fairgrounds will go to the benefit of Jefferson Abington Hospital as well.
This year’s Fete Fair will be held June 7 to June 9.
“It’s our job and our privilege to preserve and manage open space as habitat. But this is rare opportunity to preserve a tradition, what some folks say is the longest continually running fair in the US, right alongside the natural systems that we need to protect,” Chris Mendel, PERT’s Executive Director, said.
PERT began fundraising in November 2023 and said it will stay in its fundraising mode until after the transaction date to ensure proper maintenance and operation of the newly acquired land.
For more information about PERT, you can visit their website.
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Photos: Abbi Winters, Harris Brown via PERT