Testimony of a Landowner
It’s Ours for the Keeping
by Jodi Spragins

As one of the very fortunate people who live in Willistown, I had heard that the Trust was working on securing what we always referred to as the “Scott Property”, the scenic open fields and farm land which seemed to define so much of the rural character along Providence and Goshen Roads. Over the years my family sent many prayers and wishful thoughts (and meager contributions) on behalf of those monumental efforts.

But it wasn’t until I was driving home from work one day, turning off of Goshen on to Grubb Road towards Barr, that I realized this dream piece of land was finally ours for the keeping. Two women were on horses, walking along Grubb Road, on the inside of the fenceline -- how exciting! I rolled down my window and asked them how the trails were, and if indeed, we were allowed to ride there. They acknowledged the completion of the Trust’s efforts to protect this land, now called the Kirkwood Preserve, glowing with enthusiasm.

Giddy with the news, I went right home and tacked up my pony and headed out to explore the new Kirkwood Preserve, a ten minute ride by horseback from my small farm on Hillview Road. I was thrilled with what I found: mown paths artfully meandering through acres of glorious grasslands, skirting woods, split rail fencing, and a small stream, and following up and down what have to be some of the loveliest hills on earth, punctuated by huge specimen trees. The sensation of trotting along these mown paths, when the expanse of adjacent uncut grasses is several feet high, is an exhilarating feeling. Almost like being on a sailboat, cutting a channel though open water.

My daughter, Ainsley, and I have since claimed the Kirkwood Preserve as one of our favorite “hacks”. We regularly ride there when the weather and footing is good, and she has found it to be a perfect place to keep her competition mount fit. It’s a special treat to be able to ride together with her there. Sometimes we ride through, other times we make it a destination. The mown paths circumnavigate some spectacular trees on the property, and when we are trotting through the paths, we have made it our ritual to follow the path and circle each of these trees, making a loop, rather than just going straight around each one. What fun.

My absolute favorite part is the highest point on the preserve, which is fittingly topped by a glorious red oak tree. Of course, it has a path mown all the way around it and even if we are in the middle of a trotting session, we always pause here to enjoy the view. I feel like I am in a painting when I am up there, and deeply mindful of how truly fortunate I am.

As a nearby neighbor and horse owner, for years I have admired and longingly viewed what is now the Kirkwood Preserve as one of the treasures of the Willistown Area, wishing that we could at least get permission to ride our horses there. Established riding trails abound on all sides of the Preserve, and it is an important keystone for trail riders. The prospect of a housing development being built there was a nightmare, and in the meantime it was frustrating to see all of that open space and not be able to step foot on it. Now, not only can we ride there, but we have the comforting knowledge that this land will be here for everyone to enjoy forever, just the way it is now, with the tender care so carefully administered by WCT. It’s ours for the keeping.

Jodi Spragins was District Commissioner of Radnor Hunt Pony Club from 2002-05 and is an avid trail rider and occasional foxhunter. She has been a Trust staff member since March 2006.