Research-backed greening initiative will transform over 100,000 square feet of vacant land into clean, green community spaces that support neighborhood health, safety, and well-being
PHILADELPHIA, PA – June 16, 2026 – The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) celebrated today the expansion of its nationally recognized PHS LandCare program into Chester, Pennsylvania, bringing its proven vacant land stabilization and greening model to Delaware County for the first time. In partnership with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and its Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, the City of Chester, and local community stakeholders, PHS LandCare will transform and maintain approximately 100,000 square feet, or nearly 2 football fields worth of vacant land across Chester through regular cleaning, mowing, landscaping, and ongoing care.
The PHS LandCare program works to stabilize and maintain vacant land through regular cleaning, greening, mowing, and community care. For decades, the program has transformed abandoned lots into healthy green spaces that improve neighborhood safety, support public health, reduce illegal dumping, and foster a stronger sense of community for residents and families. Today, PHS LandCare maintains more than 12,000 vacant lots across Philadelphia. The Chester expansion marks the first time the LandCare model will be implemented outside of Philadelphia by PHS.
Research has linked the PHS LandCare model to measurable improvements in neighborhood well-being, including reductions in depression and stress, decreases in gun violence, and increases in nearby property values. Studies found that residents living near greened lots reported a more than 40 percent reduction in feelings of depression, while neighborhoods below the poverty line experienced reductions in gun violence of up to 29 percent, reinforcing the important connection between community investment and public safety. Additional research found that homes within 1,000 feet of a PHS greened lot experienced an average increase in value of 4.3 percent within the first year, rising cumulatively to 13 percent over six years.
“This expansion into Chester reflects PHS’s belief that every neighborhood deserves safe, healthy, and welcoming green spaces,” said Matt Rader, President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “For years, the PHS LandCare program has demonstrated how sustained investment in vacant land can positively impact communities. We are proud to partner with leaders in Chester to bring this work to more residents and help support healthier, more connected neighborhoods.”
“Chester is a city rich in resilience, pride, and community spirit, and while, like many cities, we do face challenges, initiatives like PHS LandCare help strengthen the foundation for lasting change and progress,” said Mayor Stefan Roots. “By transforming vacant lots into clean, green spaces, we are not only improving the appearance of our neighborhoods, but also investing in public safety, public health, and the quality of life for our residents. We are proud to partner with PHS and the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office on an initiative that demonstrates how meaningful community investment can create lasting positive change throughout our city.”
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and its Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods is proud to join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the City of Chester as part of the PHS LandCare initiative. This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of the Budget and by the Green Family Foundation.
“This partnership represents a meaningful investment in the future of Chester neighborhoods. Every cleaned and maintained lot sends a message that these neighborhoods matter,” said District Attorney Tanner Rouse. “This will help create environments where families feel safer, children have healthier surroundings, and communities can thrive. This is how we change long-term outcomes and perceptions for the City of Chester and the wonderful people that live here.”
For the District Attorney’s Office, participation in PHS LandCare reinforces an ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that improve quality of life, strengthen neighborhoods, and empower local communities through sustainable investment and partnership.
The program also supports local economic opportunities through partnerships with community organizations, workforce development initiatives, and small businesses. In Philadelphia, 87 percent of PHS LandCare contractors are minority- and/or women-owned businesses, and the program works alongside community partners to create job opportunities connected to neighborhood greening and maintenance.
The Chester expansion represents an important milestone for PHS and demonstrates the continued growth of a model that has become nationally recognized for its impact on public health, neighborhood stabilization, and community revitalization.
About Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), an internationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 1827, uses horticulture to advance the health and well-being of the Greater Philadelphia region. PHS programs create healthier living environments, increase access to fresh food, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and strengthen deeper social connections between people. PHS’s work spans 250 neighborhoods; an expansive network of public gardens and landscapes; year-round learning experiences; and the nation’s signature gardening event, the Philadelphia Flower Show. PHS provides everyone with opportunities to garden for the greater good as a participant, member, donor, or volunteer. For information and to support this impactful work, please visit PHSonline.org.
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