Natural Lands' ChesLen Preserve — Attraction in Newlin Township

Heck people, this is a pretty nice Preserve that lends itself to multiple types of activities you can do. It is many hundreds of acres in size and is a popular entry point to the Brandywine River for people who are kayaking or canoeing two points further south. Since there is so much open space and lot of trails people come there to jog, to walk the dogs, to just walk and explore, or to just hang out and watch the water flow by on the Brandywine River on a nice sunny Sunday afternoon. There is something that's quite unique about this Preserve. Somewhere in the middle of The Preserve, there is a very old and historic graveyard. Back in the early 1900s, the county, that is Chester County, used to have a mental hospital very nearby. Back in those times, this facility may have been called an "Insane Asylum". When their patients had the unfortunate circumstance of passing away while at the hospital, they were respectfully buried in this old Cemetery, and even provided with a modest headstone. The cemetery is still kept nice by cutting the grass around the Headstones and respecting the area having it fenced off so that animals and people don't go in there and steal headstones, vandalize, or things Of that unfortunate nature. While I was there today I saw a sign posted which talked about an event occurring on October 20th 2018, a 5K run, a 10k run, and a 2 mile walk/ run. The fee to participate is $35 per entrant, and $25 if you're 16 or under. At the end of the event they will be having food, beverages including beer from the local Victory Brewing Company, and a live band playing what I assume would be rock or alternative rock music. It did state that the participants got their first beer for free, so I assume any other beers you would choose to drink would have to be paid for. since all the properties that are owned and managed by natural lands Trust are paid for and supported by donations only, I assume any leftover money, if there is any which is kind of doubtful, Would go...

This preserve is huge, over 1,200 acres. The preserve claims it is home to at at least 15 rare plants and insect species. This preserve has over 8 miles of trails. On the eastern portion of the preserve the yellow and grey trails take you through a diverse forest. Traversing the red trail takes you through row crops and open areas where most of it is not tree covered so avoid going in heat of the middle of a hot day. The purple trail takes you through the wetlands. And the blue trail takes you through open areas and forest. There are bathrooms at the Lenfest Center. A trail off of the back of the visitor center will take you to Ollie Owl's Nature Playground where a children's playground is build out of nature. The preserve also contains a...

This is an awesome place with a beautiful landscape and is great for hiking, walking and jogging. All the hiking trails are too bright and sunny. Generally there is no shades on trails, I went in summer, it was too hot so make sure to carry some water. Here it’s full of vegetation (corn 🌽)and meadows which is super cool 😎. I don’t think there is any security system here, but, a scenic place for a weekend hike.

We had a great time being here.❤️

*There is no FEE, also not much parking space. MUST HAVE: A cap🧢, usually it is super sunny🌞, no shade on trails. Use hiking shoes 👟 Carry water...