Cranberry acquires 71-acre 'gem’ for agricultural center
CRANBERRY TWP — Township supervisors unanimously approved acquisition of a 150-year-old farm Thursday for preservation as a public agricultural center.
Its approval was met with a resounding round of applause.
"We’re going to take this slowly,“ said supervisor Bruce Hezlep, ”but we have a gem that’s going to be preserved for generations to come.“
The 71-acre farm was owned by resident Denton Powell until his death in 2021. Andy Hack, a lifelong friend of Powell’s and executor of his will, gifted the township with the farm to preserve Powell’s legacy of memory.
“It’s the greatest thing — I’m so glad the township approved it,” Hack said. “I’m carrying out his wishes.”
Hack said he had plenty of developers call about the property within days of Powell’s death, but he was adamant about honoring his friend’s wishes that the farm remain a farm.
He said he knew and trusted the township would stand by an agreement to preserve the historical and agricultural value of the property.
“We are thrilled to have this gem in our community,” chairman Mike Manipole said, “and with our highest level of diligence, we’re going to follow through with that 100-year preservation. We are so excited, thank you.”
The township plans to develop the farm as a historical site, an education center, a public park and, of course, a farm.
“What a legacy that Denton has left for our community,” Hezlep said. “For our people to learn and for our younger people at some point to learn about our heritage here in Cranberry.”
Hezlep said that the board has begun discussions with local schools about the educational value of the site.
“I think the best way for children to learn, and for this field to get recognized for the strong field that it is, is by having this farm in our community and kids having the opportunity to learn what farming is all about,” Manipole explained. “We all know that farmers are probably one of the hardest working groups of people that we’d ever meet, and your contribution to society is priceless.”
Pete Dornsife, a neighbor of Powell, told the board how indebted the community was to Powell’s legacy.
“He recognized the need to protect the land for our children and for future generations,” Dornsife said. “We just wanted to show up tonight and pay tribute to him and the great foresight that he had.”
The next step for the township will be creating a steering committee for the property after it is officially handed over on March 9.
“It’s a great space for our community — 100 years of pure, green space,” Manipole said. “That’s going to be an honor to Mr. Powell, his family and farming.”
The board also honored Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School on Thursday for their achievement in the community.
“We’ve always said that great schools build great communities, and great communities build great schools,” Manipole said, “For that reason we’ve invited you in today, so we can say ‘thank you,’ and how much we enjoy ... having you as partners.”
Ehrman Crest, which opened Aug. 22 of last year, has been recognized by Time magazine and the Smithsonian for their accomplishments and leadership.
“On behalf of Cranberry Township, the family of Cranberry Township and our manager and our board supervisors, we greatly appreciate everything,” Manipole said. “We’re so excited to have you as partners.”
The board presented the school with a plaque of recognition from the township.
Chick-fil-A’s plan to reconfigure its drive-thru lanes also was given final approval by the township.
The proposal will allow the restaurant to queue 52 cars on its property after the pandemic caused an increase in drive-through orders over the last two years.
It will add new access to the restaurant from Longtree Way, as well as canopies for cars to place orders under and receive their meals.
The plan was recommended by the planning commission last month after the restaurant gained approval from its neighboring businesses to alter traffic circulation in the area.
