Playing through at Loch Nairn, forever

|Landenberg Community|

From the time they built the Loch Nairn Golf Course and its restaurants, the Smedley family has been among our area’s finest visionaries. This past June, working with New Garden Township, their latest vision will preserve 105 acres and have a lasting impact

Playing through at Loch Nairn, forever

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

In the 1960s, Hank Smedley built the Radley Run Golf Course in West Chester and, later, Jamaica’s world-renowned Cinnamon Hill Golf Course.

In 1979, he fulfilled his dream of building a golf course in Avondale and called it the Loch Nairn Golf Course.

Together with his sons Christopher and Samuel, his wife Virginia and architect Howard Curtis, Smedley converted the property into one of the finest golf courses in the Mid-Atlantic region and its restaurants into breathtaking spaces of design and culinary achievement.

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Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Visitors to Loch Nairn will not only be able to enjoy the natural resources and views along the preserved space, but continue to dine at The Farmhouse, The Greathouse and The Tavern after a brisk walk with friends and family.

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In the years since, Loch Nairn has become the destination point for those seeking a momentary slow down from a busy life; the bounty of a farm-to-table meal in The Greathouse or The Farmhouse or an impromptu summer lunch outdoors at The Tavern; the harmony of meticulously-placed antiques and area rugs and archways and gardens against the backdrop of wide open greens that seem to stretch for miles; the freshly-manicured and sweeping greens that make up its 18-hole golf course; and the crab cakes, those delicious, award-winning crab cakes.

Heralded by many as one of the crown jewels of southern Chester County, Loch Nairn has achieved the title of Legacy, and earlier this year, the Smedleys added one more layer.

At their June 7 online work session, the New Garden Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the township to extend funds for the purchase of a 105-acre parcel of the Loch Nairn Golf Course, for the purpose of preserving it as open space. While golfing operations will cease after the 2022 season, all of the restaurants will remain under the ownership of the Smedley family.

Continued on Page 48 The Loch Nairn property will expose visitors to some of the most beautiful trees and foliage in southern Chester County.

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Soon after the agreement of sale was approved by the supervisors, board chairman Pat Little read a statement from the township and the Smedley family:

“For over the past 50 years, the Smedley family’s Loch Nairn Golf Course has been a staple in the southern Chester County community. The picturesque site has been the backdrop for weddings, holidays, date nights, family golf challenges -- you name it! And because the Smedley family cares so deeply for this community and the memories that this site holds to its residents, they have entrusted New Garden Township with their prized property to be preserved as a park and open space to be shared by all for decades to come.

“Avid golfers will continue to play on the course throughout the 2022 season after which operations will wind down. The restaurant will remain open in perpetuity and continue to serve the world’s best crab cakes!

“Because of the generosity of the Smedley family and the thoughtful care with which they maintained this pristine parcel of land, New Garden Township will continue on as guardian of this property in order to ensure its safety from

Continued on Page 50 The 105-acre property at Loch Nairn is the latest acquisition of New Garden Township’s Open Space Review Board, who have already helped to preserve over 300 acres of township land and helped to extend the New Garden trail system.

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future development. While the specifics of future park use for the property will be decided in time, this will absolutely continue to be a cornerstone of Chester County.

“It is our hope that the Smedley property will continue to be a place for new memories to be made, followed by dinner or lunch at their restaurants.”

The negotiations to acquire the property for the price of $1.425 million were conducted by the township’s Open Space Review Board (OSRB) in consultation with Natural Lands, a Media, Pa.-based non-profit organization that preserves open space in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Formed in 2005, the OSRB is made up of volunteers who assist landowners in the township in planning to preserve open space on their properties by discussing preservation options and creating conservation easements that protect the property from eventual development. To date, the OSRB has helped to preserve over 300 acres of township land and helped to extend the New Garden trail system.

The cost was defrayed by an $863,700 grant the township received from the Chester County Preservation Partnership Program in May that awarded $4.217 million in grant funding to 18 municipalities, park authorities and environmental agencies that will assist in the preservation of 595 acres throughout the county.

‘Huge win for the township in terms of natural resources’

Because the golf course will remain open to golfers through the 2022 season, the township’s plans for the future of the open space are as of yet undetermined, but on June 21, the township’s supervisors heard the first broad brushstrokes that will define – and protect – its future. The presentation – given by Kate Raman of Natural Lands and a consultant to the OSRB -- provided data on how the property will fit in with the township’s priorities to conserving open space, provide trail access and enhance climate resilience.

Natural Lands’ preliminary restoration plan for the property will identify plant species that are not only suitable to the site but that will survive the projected increase in temperatures and precipitation that are forecasted for the future. In addition, the plan will also include methods to

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The trails and walkways at Loch Nairn pass by marsh land and ponds.

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manage waterway tributaries to the White Clay Creek within the property; propose meadow planting areas; and come up with strategies to develop woodlands that will contribute to both weather resilience and water quality. While Raman said the cost of the site preparation, conversion, restoration and maintenance for the newly-acquired property is still not known, the project will be done in collaboration with the Stroud Water Research Center, who will also provide assistance in securing possible grant funding.

The chalkboard ideas shared by Natural Lands are proof positive that the agreement between the Smedley family and New Garden Township is not just about property, but preserving the environment, New Garden officials said.

“It’s a pristine piece of land that’s in the exceptional value watershed of the White Clay, and it would absolutely hurt the quality of water if it were ever developed,” said supervisor Steve Allaband.

“This is land that would have been prime real estate for a developer and a development, so this is a huge win for the township in terms of natural resources,” supervisor Kristie Brodowski said at the presentation. “I think the Smedleys did an amazing thing for the community to preserve this beautiful piece of property.” “This is very clearly a gift to the township,” said New Garden Township Manager Ramsey Reiner, who worked with Chris, Sam and family friend, realtor and preservationist Mark Willcox on the negotiations that led to the sale. “That alone gives the impetus that we need to be reverential about this property because the Smedley family gave it to the township to protect and embrace it as a jewel. I envision this preserve to become a place where you can enjoy a nice walk with your friends and family and then go to one of the restaurants there for lunch or dinner.

“In some ways, this gift to the township will be like going over to the Smedley home, enjoying their beautiful property, and then heading in for dinner.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.

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