The Willows Park Preserve

The Willows Mansion in Villanova had been shuttered for eight years when a group of passionate area residents came together and decided to do something about it. During those eight years, visitors to the 47.5 acre park would walk around or just stare from a distance at the beautiful but vacant mansion. To many, it seemed as if a piece of the Willows Park was missing, and that only the return of the mansion -- restored and revived -- would make the park whole again. So, in 2017, the Willows Park Preserve (WPP), a nonprofit Section 501(c)(3) organization was formed. Fast forward two more years and, in 2019, the WPP obtained a 25 year lease of the property from Radnor Township. The return of the Willows Mansion had begun!

According to the mission statement of the WPP, “The Willows Park Preserve will revitalize the Willows Mansion and transform it into a community destination and gathering place. It will be open daily for the purpose of strengthening community for intergenerational connection, learning and exploration.”

You could say WPP's organizational goals are layered: Restoration, Accessibility, Community Events and Community Programming.

WPP's first priority is to physically restore the beautiful and historic mansion that was designed by prominent Philadelphia-area architect Charles Barton Keen and built in 1910. The most notable physical improvement to date has been the restoration of the terra cotta roof, which was recently recognized with an award from the Delaware County Heritage Commission. Other important physical improvements include the expansion of the existing terrace, the restoration of the crumbling fountain wall and substantial exterior painting. Several interior spaces have also been refreshed. In the near future, two spacious rooms with views of the park's pond will be available and open to the public, seven days a week. These interior and exterior spaces will be available as informal community gathering spaces or simply as places to relax after a walk in the park or a hike in adjacent Skunk Hollow. Additionally, these facilities will be available for events such as corporate meetings and retreats, weddings,family reunions, group luncheons and dinners and other private events. Finally, these spaces will be used by WPP for on-site community-oriented programs.

Speaking of programs, WPP has already started to host programs relating to nature and the environment, health and wellness, the arts, local history and community engagement. Recent programs include a virtual speaker series on local historic homes, another virtual speaker series on vegetable and herb gardening, tours of the Willows Arboretum, youth fishing clinics at the pond, adult fitness classes and the highly popular Concerts in the Courtyard to name just a few. WPP is excited to offer these programs at low cost or no cost to the community. As a young nonprofit organization, WPP continues to spread awareness about who we are and what we are trying to accomplish. Every day we seek to generate more excitement, engagement and interest. This is crucial to the success of the Willows Park Preserve and the ongoing preservation of the Willows Mansion for generations to come.

If you would like to host your next event at the WPP, register for a program, learn about volunteer opportunities, provide financial support, or simply to learn more about the WPP, please visit our website: www.willowsparkpreserve.org or email us at: info@willowsparkpreserve.org