Historic Main Line property to be preserved as public garden space

They wanted to pave paradise to put up an athletic complex. But now, a leafy, historic property on the Main Line will be preserved as a public garden. The Lower Merion School District has completed its sale of the 13-acre Oakwell estate in Villanova to two nonprofits. Natural Lands told the Philadelphia Inquirer it will reintegrate the grounds with the neighboring Stoneleigh gardens. The Wyncote Foundation says it will restore and preserve the 20,000-square-foot brick Tudor Revival mansion. The deal has been in the works for several years, following protests from students and others over the district's plan to fell hundreds of old-growth trees for ballfields. (Photo credit: Natural Lands)