From Dumping Ground To Organic Farm Henry S. Mcneil Jr ...

From Dumping Ground To Organic Farm Henry S. Mcneil Jr. ...

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From Dumping Ground To Organic Farm Henry S. Mcneil Jr. Bought The 900 Acres In Winslow. And With Him Came New Rules.

July 19, 1999 | By Stephanie L. Arnold, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF

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WINSLOW -- Deep in the woods of Winslow Farms, a fence made from the wood of an old telephone pole encloses most of the 900 acres hidden beyond the busy thoroughfares.

Behind that fence lies what many residents here have called a mystery - a piece of property so large that it takes a 10-mile drive to see it all.

For five years, rumors have circulated about what the property would become: a theme park, condominiums, a Disney complex.

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``You've got to laugh when you hear these rumors,'' said McNeil, owner of the land and heir to the Philadelphia-based McNeil Pharmaceuticals, makers of Tylenol. ``Right now, it's only a farm.''

In fact, McNeil said, it is the largest certified organic farm in New Jersey. Everything from the soil to the crops (wheat and a type of grass used on beaches to combat erosion) is organic. The pathways are made of recycled concrete from city sidewalks.

Before McNeil bought the land in 1994, it was a dumping ground.

Four clear blue lakes have replaced the filthy quarries, where old bald tires were discarded. Junked cars used to be immobilized on the same land where newly planted trees are growing. And acres of grass lie in the soil's crevices - previously home to beer cans and glass from broken liquor bottles.

``People just used to throw things in here because no one took care of the property. It was just sitting here, literally.''

Not anymore. The signs slapped on the trees facing the White Horse Pike read: ``New owner, new rules.''

McNeil, 55, said that what he had done - buy land at a cheap price, a few hundred dollars an acre, and refurbish it - may be a new trend. He said he had paid about $180,000 for the property. People from across the country, including international visitors, have asked to to see what he has done, he said.

``It's a fascinating thing to do,'' McNeil said. ``People are really intrigued.''

This isn't McNeil's only foray into renovating property. He recently purchased the historic McIlhenny Mansion on Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, where art collector Henry P. McIlhenny lived until his death in 1986. McNeil plans to demolish some parts and renovate the mansion - a controversial move considering the 1,200 signatures on a petition opposing it. The Philadelphia Historical Commission is to take up the issue next month.

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From Dumping Ground To Organic Farm Henry S. Mcneil Jr. ...

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From Dumping Ground To Organic Farm Henry S. Mcneil Jr. Bought The 900 Acres In Winslow. And With Him Came New Rules.

July 19, 1999 | By Stephanie L. Arnold, INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF

Recommend

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Stumb0leUpon Submit

MORE LIKE THIS ?

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February 2, 2011

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May 6, 1997

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September 13, 2009

(Page 2 of 2) ``At first, I was skeptical about talking about it because I did not want other people to pick up on it,'' McNeil said, referring to his practice of buying property at low prices and then refurbishing it. ``But now I think it would be flattering to follow my lead.''

Winslow Mayor Sue Ann Metzner said she could see how people could catch on to the idea and run with it.

``It's beautiful what Mr. McNeil has done with that land. Before he purchased the property, it was an eyesore. Now it is unbelievable.'' Ads by Google

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Although McNeil said he had no plans to build a commercial development on the land anytime soon, the possibility had not escaped him. ``We could do so much out here; I really don't know what we're going to do with it,'' he said. ``But for the time being, I would love to have a sculpture park.'' McNeil invited Sol Lewitt, an internationally renowned sculptor and conceptual artist, to tour the site. ``He came out to tour the place, and he seemed interested,'' McNeil said. ``I would love to have him just go crazy out here.'' Ads by Google

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