Delaware County Open Space Bond Referendum Approved by Voters
Media, PA — Last Tuesday, the Delaware County Open Space Bond Referendum was approved by 75.59% of voters, authorizing Delaware County Council to take out up to $120 million in debt over the course of 10 years to finance water quality improvements, land conservation, and environmental protection across the County.
Per unofficial results, the referendum received 171,131 votes in favor and garnered a majority of votes in 381 of 383 precincts.
“I am incredibly proud of Delco for voting in favor of future funding for historic investments into protecting our air, water, and land, providing greenways and parks, and keeping our residents healthy,” said Delaware County Council member Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We have repeatedly seen the benefit of protecting our natural resources to Delaware County residents, and I am excited that Council can now make substantial long-term investments into our green spaces, our waterways, and our air quality.”
Between 2019 and 2023, the County committed over $20 million in Green Ways Grant funding to conserve open space and natural features, enhance their environmental and recreational uses, connect communities, cultural/historic resources and natural features, and planning/designing future amenities in a prioritized, strategic fashion. This program attracted more than $33.7 million in federal, state, non-profit, and private funding, with the new investment from the Open Space Bond Referendum expected to attract high levels of outside funding as well. Learn more about the Green Ways Grant program.
For nearly 75 years, Natural Lands has been a dedicated steward of the natural environment of Delaware County and beyond, saving open space, caring for nature, and connecting people to the outdoors and each other. Natural Lands played a critical role in the success of the referendum, carrying out a feasibility study alongside the Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy which informed Council’s decision to put the referendum on the ballot and advocating for the importance of conservancy throughout Delaware County.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of Tuesday’s vote,” said Natural Lands President Oliver Bass. “Not only did more than 75% of voters support it, that support was bipartisan and strong in every corner of the county. It is a powerful reinforcement of how much we all value and need clean water, protected natural areas, and thriving wildlife. We could not be more grateful to the members of Council for their willingness to put this question to voters and to the broad coalition that has worked for its passage over the past several months.”
In the coming months and years, Council and other members of the County team will undergo a rigorous process to determine the most effective ways to invest this money as authorized by the voters, including the reinstatement of the overwhelmingly successful Greenways Grants program. In accordance with the text of the referendum question, each project will be subject to public disclosure and input. Additionally, the funding approved by the voters will be subject to annual independent financial audits, ensuring full transparency for residents.
“I am encouraged to see how engaged our residents have been on this issue, I am supportive of the will of the voters, and I’d like to thank my fellow members of Council for taking a transparent approach to this process,” said Delaware County Council Chair Richard Womack. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on Council, other members of the County team, and the public to invest these funds in ways that improves the lives of all Delco residents.”
Stay tuned for more information on next steps regarding Open Space Bond Referendum funding.
