Lower Makefield unveils big plans for Patterson farm makeover

As the Delaware riverfront defines Bristol, the Patterson farm defines Lower Makefield. But rejuvenating one of Bucks County's most beautiful farms won't be easy, or cheap.

The township recently unveiled a plan to refurbish buildings, create public venues, and maintain farming. No firm estimates on cost, but $5 million was suggested, and subject to change in the early stages of the re-do.

What is the Patterson farm?

The farm, owned by the late Tom and Alice Patterson, was purchased by the township in 1998 for $7 million. The purchase came amid the open space buying spree in Bucks County, and was largely done to keep it out of the hands of housing and shopping center developers. But in the quarter century since, its outbuildings, including the Patterson farmstead and the nearby Satterthwaite farmstead, along with barns and others, have fallen into disrepair. The township has done some patching, but lacks the funds for a comprehensive renovation and restoration.

What's the farm's value to Lower Makefield and why the concern for its preservation?

The land is part of the township's agricultural heritage. It has been farmed for more than 300 years. It has some of the richest soil in Pennsylvania, according to a Penn State University study. How rich? The neighboring Stewart family of Charlann Farm grows crops in the fields. Last year, the Patterson farm produced 60,000 pounds of corn, 50,000 pounds of tomatoes (four varieties), 25,000 pounds of watermelons, and 25,000 pounds of cantaloupe. You can thanks Tom Patterson for that. He used the township's leaf collection refuse to spread on his fields for decades.

But the outbuildings, such as the corn crib and barns, aren't needed for those operations. Still, locals and those with close ties to the Pattersons and to their farm insist, along with the general public, that they should be preserved and repurposed into places open to the public.

"There's nothing more beautiful that you could build on top of that farm, because it is magnificent in what it is," said Donna Doan, of Patterson Farm Preservation Inc., whose father, Duane, grew up in the Satterthwaite house. "The essence of that farm is just great. When you go there, you feel the peace of that farm. When you look at those magnificent buildings, and the old timbers, you feel the spirit of who constructed those structures. And that's what we want to magnify ... We'd love to have people come and see it in a responsible way."

What are the plans?

On Sept. 22, the public got its first look at possible reuses for the buildings in a presentation at the township building by Douglas Seiler, of Seiler + Drury Architecture. Sieler assured the audience that Patterson won't become an "agritainment" venue, like Shady Brook farm, or other places that charge $5 to fire ears of corn from a cannon or launch pumpkins at old cars. Ideally, the Patterson and Satterthwaite homes would be restored to their glory, and rented or leased for public use, maybe even a bed and breakfast. The old barns could be repurposed as meeting spaces, and educational classrooms to teach about the farm and its value. Walking and bike trails would give people a place to experience one of Bucks County oldest, continuously operated farm. Annual festivals for the community and tourists could be launched, along the lines of Hopewell Farm in New Jersey.

What happens next?

It's a work in progress. More meetings, more public discussions, more refining of the plans. It's a slow process, not only because government-owned properties are hamstrung by regulations, but also because the expense, born by the public, is enormous. Still, Lower Makefield intends to preserve the farm and renovate its buildings — but not invite Wawa to take a look. (A frightening rumor that swirled around a couple years ago). The dicey part is to figure a way to generate enough revenue.

Want to get involved?

Patterson Farm Preservation Inc., a private nonprofit that advocates for keeping the farm and its buildings healthy and beautiful, can be found here. The Lower Makefield Township Ad Hoc Property Committee, overseeing plans for the farm, meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Info here.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Big plans to rejuvenate Lower Makefield's Patterson farm