
Since Bushkill Township’s award-winning Open Space Program began in 2005 it has preserved close to 2,000 acres. The program preserves land through Conservation Easements and Fee Simple purchase. Over the years, four of the fee simple acquisitions have become Township-Owned Preserves that are used for passive recreation. The four preserves are Albert Ponds Preserve, Ballas Meadow Preserve, Heintzelman Pond Preserve, and Highland Meadows Preserve.
To eliminate much of the mowing and maintenance on these Preserves, Bushkill Township has planted/will be planting native meadows containing varieties of wildflowers and warm season grasses. These meadows are highly beneficial to mammals, songbirds, raptors, and pollinators. They also allow stormwater to naturally infiltrate into the ground, recharging the groundwater system rather than sheet flowing to surface water.
Currently, Bushkill Township has one large meadow planted at the Ballas Meadow Preserve. This 34-acre meadow is surrounded by a one-mile loop multi-use trail for hiking, biking, bird watching, and ADA accessibility. The meadow is home to a kestrel box that has been used by a mating pair of kestrels for the past four years since it has been installed, and bluebird houses surround the meadow.
The meadow at the Ballas Preserve has been so successful and the maintenance has been minimal compared to the regular mowing of lawn grass that Bushkill Township plans to plant more meadows on the other preserves. Highland Meadows Preserve has 20 acres that are currently being prepared for the planting of native wildflowers and warm season grasses. The meadows were previously hay fields but are now being farmed with traditional crops such as corn and soybeans to prepare the area for the eventual meadow planting. After 3 years of farming, the area will be properly prepared, and the meadow can be planted. Once the meadows are planted, Bushkill Township will establish a trail system throughout the meadows. The plan is to have approximately two miles of trails throughout the meadows and wooded portions of the property.
All these properties are open to the public and have adequate parking areas. Many photographers currently utilize Ballas Meadow Preserve to take pictures with the beautiful meadow plants. We ask that visitors to the preserves please do not pick the wildflowers and please stay out of the meadow area. Form ore information, visit Bushkill Township here.