Stories From Tinicum: New Conservancy Brochure tells the inspiring ...

Nature’s temporary caretakers
norman MacarThur
and biLL Novak
When Norman MacArthur and Bill Novak first
moved to Tinicum, the area seemed like “the
end of the world.” But they soon understood
that the pristine countryside was what the
township was all about.
“We bought 50 acres in Tinicum Township
and realized what a huge responsibility this
represented,” Norm says. “We considered
ourselves the temporary caretakers of this
beautiful piece of land. We had to do something
to make sure it would be
permanently protected.”
Soon after they moved into
Jugtown Hill Farm with its
200-year-old house and barn,
they became aware of the
work being done by the
Tinicum Conservancy. Here was a way to work
toward their goal. The presence of a local
land trust was an indication that people in
Tinicum were committed and willing to work to
conserve land. There was still time to really
make a difference!
Their love of preservation had its beginnings
in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where they lived
for almost 30 years. Both had professional
careers, but each also did volunteer work to
“We had to do something
to make sure it would be
permanently protected.”
improve Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Norm
and Bill brought to Tinicum their spirit of
volunteerism and community involvement.
Bill helps to run the Tinicum Arts Festival,
the Stover Mill Gallery and the juried exhibit
at Phillips’ Mill. Norm
chairs the Tinicum
Open Space Commission
and is a former Trustee of
the Conservancy.
The Conservancy helped
Norm and Bill through the
process of donating a conservation easement
on their property. “Even if everything else got
developed, at least these 50 acres would be
saved,” Norm says. Norm and Bill were also
able to take a charitable tax deduction for the
contribution of their development rights—a
very nice bonus.
“We drive down these beautiful roads, and we
can’t believe how lucky we are to live here,”
Norm says. “It’s a privilege!”
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