Delaware County attempts to take 213-acre former site of Don Guanella School by eminent domain

BROOMALL, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- After a battle that had raged on for almost a decade, Delaware County Council said enough.

It will now attempt to take a 213-acre crown jewel property in the heart of Delaware County by eminent domain.

"We took our cues from the community, which has been working to make sure this gets preserved," said Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer.

She has been leading the effort to convince council members to take a bold step to take an old-growth forest site along Sproul Road in Broomall, Delaware County, and save it from commercial developers.

"We all came together and said, 'Look, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that's going to be meaningful for this generation, for every generation to come, we're gonna do it,'" said Schaefer.

The site, which would become the largest park in Delaware County, had sparked a contentious battle since the Archdiocese of Philadelphia decided to close the Don Guanella School in 2013 and put the property up for sale.

Several commercial developments had been proposed for the massive site, but were all rejected by Marple Township commissioners amidst fierce opposition from residents and environmentalists.

"This is like winning the lottery in a lot of ways. To suddenly find out, we thought we were going to have to fight this in court for ten years," said environmentalist Ken Hemphill of Save Marple Green Space.

"Oh my gosh, I can't even believe it, this has been a long time coming, and we have used everything we could to fight developers," said Broomall resident Maureen Stewart.

County Council expects to purchase the massive site from the Archdiocese at fair market value.

"That is to be determined. I don't want to speculate right now," said Schaefer.

Schaefer said there is a ballpark figure, and it's "a pretty big ballpark."

For Charles Protesto, who grew up playing on the land since he was a little boy, this development is a big deal.

"Words can't...I can't express what I'm feeling, I really can't," said Protesto.

There could be challenges from the owner and developer.

The first reading of the move to take the land will be Wednesday at 6 p.m. during the County Council Meeting at the Delaware County Courthouse.