Homewood Nature Preserve

About This Preserve

Planning Your Hike

Moderate. A loop trail circles the property. In autumn, flaming red maples beckon you to walk the trail down through old meadows onto a wooded hillside, opening up on a cultivated field surrounded by woods. Continue downhill through beech and oak to Eshleman Run. The water quality in this stream is excellent, and you’ll find good places to sit and listen to nature.  The total trail length is estimated at 0.82 miles.

Ecology and Management

Homewood is managed for its passive recreation being of highest and best use.

Homewood is a keystone parcel on Mine Ridge as it extends across predominant agriculture lands in Lancaster County to PA Highlands within Chester County. Its woods provide a buffer to Eshleman Run and a shrinking interior forest while also serving as a vital wildlife corridor. The Conservancy manages Homewood for a natural succession of wildflowers and native plants, augmented by a reforestation effort using native species. Agriculture has been discontinued, allowing previously cultivated areas to regenerate into meadows or woods. This regeneration will be actively managed to establish a healthy native ecosystem and address several existing problems. Over 115 species of plants, 25 species of birds, and 30 other animal species can be found on the property. Established new natural habitats will increase plant and animal diversity.

Watershed

Homewood overlooks Eshleman Run which empties into the Pequea Creek and then into the Susquehanna River at the village of Pequea.

Hunting Information

No Hunting.

Acquisition History

This preserve was donated to the Conservancy by Barbara and Walter Dunlap in 2000.

Address

351 Keneagy Hill Rd, Ronks, PA 17572

Amenities

Limited parking.

Prevent Tick Borne Illness!

  • Wear repellent
  • Check for ticks after your visit
  • Shower soon after being outdoors
  • Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash

For more information visit cdc.gov/lyme

Spotted Lanternfly Alert!

Lancaster County is a Spotted Lanternfly quarantine area. This highly invasive insect is a serious threat to the health of our forests.

What you can do to help:

  1. Report spotted lanternfly sightings to Penn State Extension or call 1-888-4BADFLY.
  2. Stop the Spread. Look before you leave! Check gear, vehicles, and trailers.
  3. Smash them, bash them, kill them dead.
  4. Scrap and smash egg masses.

Emergency Information

In case of emergency, call 911

Nearest Hospital – 14.2 miles away
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

555 N. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Additional Resources

Kinzer Fire Company
717-768-8222

Paradise/Leaman Place Fire Company
717-687-7171