Aug 13, 2003 3 min read

Several years ago we offered this advice to the commissioners on the eve of the county gaining title to the Great Meadows Amphitheatre. In a word – sell. That counsel holds steady today.

The commonwealth of Pennsylvania after decades of failing to find anyone capable of hosting an entertainment venue that would catch on, seemingly divested its interest in turning the property over to the county.

The amphitheater, in the government’s hands, is little more than a money-sucking, losing proposition. In private hands, it could take off and provide one more reason for tourists to stick around longer.

But there remains a glitch. The county did not gain a title free of encumbrances to most of the land surrounding the amphitheater, as Pennsylvania has decreed that its use must be limited to such things as conservation or recreation.

That restriction kept the county from selling the property to a film-making company that proposed constructing movie sets and drawing tourists. The neighbors, Fort Necessity battlefield especially, didn’t like the idea and it appeared our state lawmakers didn’t like Commissioner Ron Nehls too much, either. Nehls, the go-between man for the filmmakers, wasn’t able to get either Rep. Larry Roberts or state Sen. Richard Kasunic to introduce legislation to remove the restrictions.

The deal died. But another concern is interested in the property. Darwin Herring, owner of Woodland Zoo, wants to move his growing zoo of animals native to our area to the 121 acres. This seems to be in line with the deed restrictions. Herring has indicated he would like to purchase the land and lease the smaller amphitheater site to hold animal shows. Nehls is for it. The other commissioners are for it. And now that Nehls has volunteered to step aside from any political involvement with the property, our state lawmakers are for it.

Critics will poke fun at a zoo on property they claim holds so much value and possibilities. What they fail to acknowledge is that the Woodland Zoo is already drawing people to the area. It can, if done properly, grow on the expanded land into a treasure that allows city folk to view up close the nature that we take for granted. It might, or might not be a grand success. But it will allow the county to put the property to a good use, rather than continue to pump money into a venture that lies dormant.

We suggest, in a word, sell.