McKaig Nature Education Center 

Land preservation was the first priorty for the Upper Merion Park and Historic Foundation which was established on December 18, 1964.  The creation of the Mckaig Nature Education Center which is jointly owned and maintained by the Foundation and Upper Merion Township, spanned some fifteen years.  It contains 90 acres of land, and it is one of the township’s treasures and best-kept secrets.  It borders Croton, King of Prussia, and Brower Road. The following is a brief history of how it was created.

Land preservation was the first priorty for the which was established on December 18, 1964.  The creation of the which is jointly owned and maintained by the Foundation and Upper Merion Township, spanned some fifteen years.  It contains 90 acres of land, and it is one of the township’s treasures and best-kept secrets.  It borders Croton, King of Prussia, and Brower Road. The following is a brief history of how it was created.

One year after the Foundation was founded, Marcia Wood made a donation of 6 acres of wooded hills and a clear stream to Upper Merion Township.  The Marcia Wood Park was establsihed.  A year later Annah French McKaig gave two land-locked wooden areas to the foundation, for use by the Girls Scouts of Freedom Valley.  Access was by a woods road through the McKaig property.   

Ten years later, in 1976, Annah willed 47 acres of land to the foundation, to be held for general conservation purposes. 

Then in 1978, a 14-acre parcel adjoining the donated land was proposed for development.  That is when the foundation went into action.  Its goal was to protect this parcel from development.  The reasons—it comprised level land on the top of steep hillsides and provided protection for two streams that flowed through the donated properties.  But more importantly, it would shatter the dreams of the foundation to establish a nature preserve. 

Marjorie F. McKaig, the daughter of Annah, offered to donate another fifteen acres of land if the foundation acquired the property.

Through the hard work of the foundation, funds were obtained through the county, state, the Philadelphia conservationists, and the foundation itself to acquire this land.  Over $110,000 was raised. The township was so impressed with the efforts of the foundation that it agreed to provide the rest of the funding for the purchase. 

The foundation held some fund-raising events to raise money for the land purchase.  One was a tennis tournament at the Gulph Mills Racquet Club; and the other was a wine and cheese party at Ballygomingo, the home of W. Graham Arader III.

Some other parcels of land were donated or acquired by the township which comprises the ninety acres of McKaig.

To view our site dedicated solely for McKaig Nature Center, go to www.enjoymckaig.org