Chesterbrook In Chester County: #1 Livable Community

TREDYFFRIN TWP — Smiling children were swinging and sliding on the playground Wednesday afternoon at Wilson Farm Park in the Chesterbrook development in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.

Walkers and joggers were using the 1.3-mile scenic trail, as baseball players warmed up on nearby fields

Some park-goers were just watching people.

Take Gary Stackhouse, and his wife, Lorrie, both 69.

The couple munched on wraps for lunch with the top down in a bright, orange convertible in the parking lot.

The two enjoy going to the park to relax and people watch.

“This is a nice clean, safe place to go and there’s a lot of activity going on,” Lorrie said, watching the walkers and others go by. “There’s a guy hitting baseballs.”

“We like it here, ” Gary added.

It came as no surprise to the couple, who reside in nearby Upper Merion Township, that the Chesterbrook community ranked as the #1 livable community in Pennsylvania by Niche.com.

Niche creates its annual Best Places to Live rankings using data from the U.S. Census, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in addition to resident reviews, according to a news release.

The survey also considers factors like affordability, housing market, diversity, and walkability.
Chesterbrook came in first place. Other communities in Chester County also ranked in the top 15.
They are Berwyn, 6th; East Whiteland Township, 8th; Upper Uwchlan Township, 9th; Exton, 12th; and Devon, 13th.

Chesterbrook is located in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, which is ranked as the second best public school district in Pennsylvania this year, based on test scores, diversity and activities. Radnor ranked number 1.

The school district and community ratings led 30-year-old Kelly Sweeney to the area from California.

“This is a great place to live,” said Kelly, who lives near Chesterbrook in Tredyffrin Township.
Kelly, who was with her toddler at a playground in the park.

The park is a great place,” Kelly said. “I remember walking around here when I was pregnant.”

“Striving to be the best”

Joseph DiRocco, Tredyffrin township assistant manager, said the township is absolutely thrilled to be recognized not once but three times for the top neighborhoods of Chesterbrook, Berwyn and Devon. Berwyn and Devon are in both Tredyffrin and Easttown townships.

“We strive to create and nurture a strong sense of community amongst our residents and businesses,” he said. “Our rich historical background, top rated schools, and robust commercial base make Tredyffrin a great place to work and live.”

The 516.4-acre Chesterbrook farm in Chester County was sold for development to Great Valley Corporation in 1969 for $12.3 million, according to Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society archives.

It took eight years for the developer to get the approval to build. It got a post office address of Wayne, which is in Delaware County.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike went through the northern part of the farm in 1950.

The plan was to construct affordable housing units for all incomes in different styled developments, including townhouse and single-family homes.

Today, the locals find there is something to do for everyone.

The park has three pavilions, baseball and softball fields, restrooms, basketball courts, picnic areas and more.

A $1.02 million upgrade of 90-acre Wilson Farm Park is expected to begin at the end of the year, according to township officials.

Officials are working on finalizing the paperwork required by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the agency that provided the grant.

The grant will fund construction of a spray park and pickleball courts. It will also fund renovations of the amphitheater, seating areas, pavilions, concession stand, baseball field and pond area, additional lighting and landscaping and additional access in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

One of the highlights of the park is a Fourth of July fireworks display.

During Independence Day thousands of people from Tredyffrin and Easttown communities watch the display from park and nearby parking lots.

"The park is a great place to go," Sweeney said.