Nature isn’t just found in wide-open spaces; it can be found in every neighborhood. But some neighborhoods could be greener. This is especially true in some of the region’s more densely populated communities.

Enter the Greening Coatesville Initiative — a collaboration among Natural Lands, the City of Coatesville, and The Alliance for Health Equity. This long-term effort aims to revitalize the community’s parks and build local capacity to maintain and offer programs in those important outdoor spaces.

With the transformation of the city’s Palmer Park well underway, the partners’ focus shifted to the community’s largest park, Ash Park, once again starting with a blueprint known as a master plan.

Chester Ash Memorial Park was once the social hub of the community, with an in-ground pool, grassy fields, and a vibrant playground under shady trees. Over the years, funding Ash Park’s facilities and maintenance has been a challenge, as have serious stormwater issues. The 9.3-acre park was ready for a new plan.

“The park acts like a giant bowl in the middle of a valley,” said Karen Clancy, Natural Lands’ senior director for landscape design and project manager for the Ash Park Master Plan. “The lowest point of the park — the playground — often has standing water after heavy storms. So, we brought in Meliora Design to consult on stormwater solutions, incorporating their recommendations into our design.”

The master plan for Ash Park also includes extensive resident input gathered from both online surveys and community meetings. Coatesville City Council, the City Manager and Assistant Manager, and an advisory group comprised of seven residents and community leaders were instrumental in ensuring the park’s transformational plan would meet community goals at every level.

The final master plan for Ash Park addresses stormwater issues, provides a cooling (and more affordable) replacement for the closed pool, and includes myriad nature elements. The plan calls for a sledding hill, a native wildflower meadow, additional shade trees, a misting station and splash pad, an improved (and relocated) playground, and a wetland to collect stormwater — complete with a boardwalk over it. The plan has been written in phases to be conducted over the next several years as money becomes available.

“The reconstruction of Ash Park will build strength in our community, and it can once again be a hub for families to play and learn,” said Donald Folks, Coatesville City councilperson.