Pennhurst Property to be a New Park
Commonwealth Conveys 96 Acres of Former State Hospital Grounds to East Vincent

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2009

CONTACT: ADAM CIRUCCI     
PHONE: 610-692-2112     
acirucci@pasenate.com 

WEST CHESTER (November 17) – State Senator Andy Dinniman recently joined with state Rep. Tim Hennessey and local officials to mark the conveyance of 96 acres of the former Pennhurst State Hospital property from the Commonwealth to East Vincent Township.

“I look forward the development of a new, spacious park that can be enjoyed by all Chester County residents and, in so doing, closing this dark chapter in Pennsylvania’s history – the past treatment of those with physical and mental disabilities,” Dinniman said.

In July the Legislature passed and Governor Rendell signed Dinniman’s Senate Bill 568, legislation that conveys 96 acres of the Pennhurst property to East Vincent as open space. Township officials are currently putting together a master plan for the park that will include active and passive recreation.

Dinniman has urged officials to include in the park design an area near the center where veterans and residents can interact, while enjoying the outdoors.

The Pennhurst State Hospital opened in 1906 and housed those with mental and physical disabilities before closing in 1987 by order of federal court.

For more details, contact Adam Cirucci in Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or at acirucci@pasenate.com.

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