The Brandywine Health Foundation, working in partnership with Natural Lands and the City of Coatesville, has been selected as a recipient of a $150,000 Building Better Communities grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

The grant will support revitalization of Palmer Park in Coatesville, one of three communities nationwide awarded such a grant in 2017.

Community parks like Palmer Park are vital for connecting children to nature. Providing nature-based play elements in the park, including opportunities to play in and learn about water, fosters an appreciation for environmental stewardship, while providing opportunities for healthy physical activity.

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Word of the Building Better Communities grant came as the City of Coatesville and Natural Lands launched a planning process to enhance Palmer Park, a one-acre park located in the city’s east end.

The plan, made possible by support from Chester County and Arcelor Mittal, will give the neighboring community the opportunity to help craft a vision for the future of the park, which will include a nature and water focused play area, as well as plans for improvements to the existing playground, basketball courts, and more.

Thanks to the Building Better Communities grant, the city and its partners will have the opportunity to move immediately into implementing a portion of that vision.

“Palmer Park is a well-loved gem in Coatesville with tremendous potential,” said Molly Morrison, President of Media-based Natural Lands. “It may be small but it has an outsized role in the lives of the surrounding community. Thanks to the American Water Charitable Foundation, we now have the opportunity to plan for and quickly revitalize a portion of the park and provide engaging nature play, as one part of the overall vision for the park.”

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