Delaware County purchases Mineral Hill for parkland

    Delaware County has bought a large tract of land known for its geological significance, and will be opening it as a park for hikers and explorers. Well-known among rock buffs, Mineral Hill has long been a source of rare gems.

    The 46 acre site is chock full of hard-to-find minerals such as feldspar, amazonite, and moonstone. Mineral Hill is also a source for serpentine — a green rock used to construct a number of buildings in the area.

    It’s located along Baltimore Pike just west of Ridley Creek in Middletown Township.

    Christine Fizzano Cannon is vice chair of Delaware County Council.

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     “For Delaware County residents it doesnt just hold that significance it also holds the significance of being a large parcel of open space that sits adjacent to some already preserved properties, and sits along the Ridley Creek.”

    Cannon says the purchase will help preserve the creek’s watershed.

    The site was once used as a boy scout camp. The $650,000 thousand dollar purchase was funded through a number of government and non-profit grants.

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