by Christopher D. Valligny, LSRP, Montrose Environmental

Embreeville Park in West Bradford Township, Pennsylvania, is a testament to what’s possible when environmental remediation, historical stewardship, and community planning converge. Once home to a psychiatric hospital complex dating back to the 19th century—and later, a brownfield marked by contamination and deteriorating infrastructure—the 200-acre property has been reimagined into preserved open space through a collaborative effort grounded in sustainable redevelopment.

In 2019, facing a proposal for more than 1,100 residential units, residents rallied to chart a new course for the site. With community backing, the Township acquired the property for $22.5 million, halting the proposed high-density development and committing to the site's long-term ecological and historical value.

Tackling Environmental Liability with Strategic Funding and Compliance

Redeveloping a property of this scale—and complexity—demanded not just public support but also a robust financial and technical roadmap. Montrose’s brownfield experts helped secure a $1.5 million grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and assembled a layered funding portfolio with state and local partners. That financing enabled critical assessment, remediation, and early redevelopment work.

Milestones included:

1. Phase I & II ESAs to characterize environmental conditions and target contamination.
2. Act 2 Program compliance, resulting in a Release of Liability and setting the legal foundation for future recreational reuse.
3. Hazardous and universal waste removal, paired with geotechnical efforts that allowed on-site demolition debris to be safely reused for land stabilization.

Historic Preservation and Community Cohesion

The park’s transformation wasn’t limited to environmental cleanup. Guided by archaeologists, the project protected Native American cultural resources—preserving local heritage while restoring the land’s public utility. As of 2024, 185 acres have been designated for passive recreation and conservation. Planned improvements include walking trails, ball fields, and interpretive signage to showcase both natural and cultural history.

Lessons for the Northeast Brownfield Community

Embreeville Park offers replicable insights for BCONE members and other Northeast stakeholders:

1. Community-Driven Outcomes: The pivot away from dense redevelopment exemplifies how public input can shift brownfield narratives toward long-term, non-commercial value.
2. Creative Reuse: On-site material recovery for stabilization cut costs and reduced waste—an essential approach for municipalities with limited redevelopment budgets.
3. Integrated Partnerships: Success hinged on tight collaboration between municipal leaders, environmental consultants, legal experts, and funding agencies.

The Author:

Christopher D. Valligny, LSRP, Senior Scientist II, Montrose Environmental Chris is a Senior Scientist with over 15 years of experience in environmental consulting, ecological research, and policy implementation. Licensed as a NJDEP Licensed Site Remediation Professional and UST Closure/Subsurface Evaluator, he also holds OSHA 40-Hour HAZWOPER certification. Chris manages complex brownfield investigation and remediation projects—including Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments—throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. His interdisciplinary approach supports a diverse client base of insurers, municipalities, developers, nonprofits, and legal teams.