Catawissa Nature Preserve
Beginning in 2000, LOSI mounted a 7-year effort to save this property from development. Interestingly parts of the land had been used several decades earlier as a pasture by the owners of what is now Langhorne Heritage Farm. Older neighbors recall cows being herded between the farm located on Green Street and the pasture located off of West Watson Avenue. In a sense, the preservation of the Catawissa parcel was seen as a conclusion of our effort to save the Farm twenty years earlier!
The Catawissa Creek originates on this property. Natural springs feed the creek, which then courses northward through neighboring properties, eventually forming the ponds on the Middletown Country Club. The creek continues on and eventually empties into the Neshaminy Creek. The property is heavily wooded, and according to studies commissioned by LOSI, is home to over 70 species of birds, as well as a variety of other wildlife.
In January of 2007, Langhorne Open Space succeeded in its vision to establish the property as a natural areas park. Through its grant-writing and fundraising efforts, LOSI enabled Langhorne Borough to purchase the property from the developer and establish it as a town park – preserved in perpetuity as open space.
Catawissa Nature Preserve will continue to be home to a wide variety of birds and wildlife. We envision establishing a walking path through the property that could be used by educators, naturalists, and walkers. The park now has a handicapped-accessible north-south walking trail, and a foot bridge allowing access to a walking trail on the western portion of the parcel. The park now has a handicapped-accessible north-south walking trail, and a foot bridge allowing access to a walking trail on the western portion of the parcel.