Approval of 99-Year Ground Lease for Partners for Environmental Stewardship Paves Way for Environmental Center and 70-Acre Urban Nature Preserve on Sunnyside Peninsula
Last night, Lancaster City Council unanimously approved a 99-year ground lease agreement with Partners for Environmental Stewardship, granting the organization use of approximately nine acres on Sunnyside Peninsula for a future environmental center.
This milestone marks a major step toward realizing the vision outlined in the City’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan: to transform the northern portion of the peninsula—located in southeast Lancaster City—into the City’s first nature preserve and establish an environmental center that reconnects the community to the Conestoga River. The project aims to position Lancaster as a regional leader in clean water, environmental education, and sustainable waterfront development.
“This agreement represents more than just a land lease—it’s a bold commitment to Lancaster’s environmental future,” said Diana Martin, Executive Director of Partners for Environmental Stewardship. “At a time when environmental challenges can feel overwhelming, we’re building a center for action, learning, and hope. It will be a place where ideas turn into impact—and where Lancaster leads by example.”
“The City of Lancaster is proud to be at the forefront of environmental innovation,” said Mayor Danene Sorace. “This investment on the Sunnyside peninsula will expand access to nature and green space for our residents while creating new opportunities for education, workforce development, and community connection.”
A Collaborative Vision
Lancaster County plays an outsized role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Although it represents just a small fraction of the Bay’s watershed, Lancaster is responsible for more than 20% of Pennsylvania’s required reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment under federal clean water goals. Today, more than half of the county’s 1,400 miles of streams are considered impaired by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, underscoring the urgency—but also the opportunity—of local leadership.
“Lancaster is at the heart of the clean water movement in Pennsylvania,” said Hilary Falk, President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “With the right investments and partnerships, it can become a national model for water innovation and environmental restoration.”
To help lead that transformation—and address other pressing environmental challenges such as habitat restoration and air quality—seven environmental organizations have signed Memoranda of Understanding to help design the future Environmental Center and shape its programming. These Anchor Organizations—Lancaster Conservancy, Lancaster Clean Water Partners, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Stroud Water Research Center, Water Science Institute, and RegenAll—intend to use the center as a collaborative home for offices, programming, education, and engagement. The center will be operated by Partners for Environmental Stewardship.
The project is made possible through a $10 million commitment from the High Foundation, the project’s visionary funder, which has championed the environment as one of its focus areas. The remainder of the center’s estimated $36–$40 million total cost is expected to be funded through a combination of philanthropic support and state and federal grants.
“Lancaster County has a proud legacy of stewardship, and this project carries that legacy forward in a powerful new way,” said S. Dale High, Chair, High Foundation. “The High Foundation is investing in the center because we believe in creating lasting benefits—for our environment, our neighborhoods, and future generations. This is about building a healthier, more vibrant community for all.”
Project Next Steps
Earlier this year, Partners for Environmental Stewardship launched a master site planning process for the 70-acre Sunnyside nature preserve in partnership with the City of Lancaster. Under the terms of the new lease agreement, the land will be formally designated as a nature preserve for the full 99-year term of the environmental center’s lease.
The master site plan—led by the internationally recognized landscape architecture firm Andropogon and implemented by the City—will identify opportunities for public access, recreational amenities such as trails and boat launches, interpretive education, and ecological restoration. The plan is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Design is also underway for the environmental center itself, led by Greenfield Architects. The center will be built to meet the highest standards of sustainable design, incorporating renewable energy generation, advanced water management systems, and responsibly sourced materials. The goal is to create a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a model for environmental stewardship. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
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