Officials Hear First Concepts For New ‘Solebury Green’ Park

The firm hired by Solebury Township to help design the new park along Lower York Road (Route 202) has presented its first concepts.

Before the Solebury Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday evening, Philadelphia-based SALT Design Studio laid out their proposals that ranged in price from $4.2 million to $4.6 million.

The park was recently named “Solebury Green” and is at the former New Hope Flea Market property on Lower York Road (Route 202), which is located between the former New Hope Star Diner and HG Wood Fired Pizza and Family Restaurant.

The 12-acre site was purchased by the township using open space funds in 2020 for $2.35 million.

Katrina Rogus, of SALT Design Studio, said the three concepts were based on feedback from residents and the township. They all include options to connect to the Route 202 trail and nearby Aquetong Spring Park.

Concept A: The proposal would include a trail system with multiple routes and amenities dispersed so residents can explore the site. The estimated price is $4.2 million.

Concept B: The main parking area would lead to an open-air pavilion at the entrance, then art gardens, trails, an open lawn for festivals, and a pollinator garden with public art. The estimated price is $4.6 million.

Concept C: The proposal would be more focused on nature, birding locations, spaces farther away from roads, and trails. The estimated price is $4.4 million.

Rogus said the designers considered the site’s high points and low points, floodplains, and boundaries. It also took into account the possible widening of Route 202.

During a feedback session with residents last week, the designers spoke with approximately 50 people and heard about kid-focused areas near the parking lot, space for teenagers toward the rear of the property, meadows, and trails for people, dogs, and bicycling, according to Sara Pevaroff of SALT Design Studio.

Reacting to the feedback, Pevaroff said she understood parents talking about areas for kids being near parking and accommodations for teens being set back from the busiest parts of the park.

“We have discovered that teenagers don’t want to be seen … and they want to go to somewhere that is cool,” she said.

Supervisor Kevin Morrissey said he wanted to see more gathering places for residents, similar to Washington Square, and not such a replication of Aquetong Spring Park. He wanted to see spots for people who want to sit, those who want to be active, and even eat a meal from a restaurant or food truck that could visit the park.

Supervisor John Francis said the three concepts presented were very similar, and he hoped they would have more variation.

Eleanor Miller, a resident, spoke during public comment and raised concerns about traffic, the cost of the concepts, and lack of use during the colder months. She said the township has a number of good choices for parks in the area.

Resident Robert McEwan urged the supervisors to expand the scope of the contract with SALT Design Studio to put more consideration on the park and “make it something special.” He also urged for more biking access in the area.

SALT Design Studio and the township plan to circulate a survey in the coming weeks to solicit more feedback on the park.

The design team will continue to revise the options and work on costs, with a plan to deliver an update in November.