The Chester County Commissioners announced yesterday that the Natural Land Trust is in active negotiations with the owners of Shryock Brothers tract for the transfer of the 45-acre site to open space.

"The Natural Land Trust and Chester County have been very successful partners in the past," said county Commissioners' Chairwoman Carol Aichele. "This is a very successful resolution for the people of Chester County,"

Representatives of the parties will walk the site later this week with a view toward the land trust's filing an application for funding in early November under Chester County's Preservation Partnership Program.

"We are trying to make certain all those who have an interest at the same table," said Commissioner Pat O'Donnell, the lone Democrat on the three-member board of commissioners.

Thursday's commissioner's meeting was delayed 10 minutes to allow time to work out the details of the announcement.

The Shryock property became a top priority for the county when its owners fenced off the northern access to Struble Trail and a parking area. Also, an access road off Dorlan Mill Road used by maintenance crews to service the damn at Marsh Creek State Park was fenced off. Meanwhile, fallen trees that were blocking the trail have been removed by Upper Uwchlan township.

The Shryock property is now a major issue in the county commissioners' race. Aichele has said she will make an initial county commitment of $500,000, matching a $500,000 state commitment obtained by state Rep. Curt Schroder from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The combined $1 million will provide the critical first step in funding the potential acquisition of the Shryock. Aichele is seeking her second term as county commissioner. Her Republican running mate is Terence Farrell, who is ending his second term as county Recorder of Deeds.

"Saving the Shyrock property is a top priority land preservation initiative," said Farrell. "Carol and I are fully committed to protecting this land and providing access to the Struble Trail that is situated on the property," he added.

Democrat commissioner candidates Bob Scott and Kathi Cozzone support the purchase of the Shryock property for open space. They argue the current issue would never have occurred if county government had followed through with plans to connect Struble Trail with Marsh Creek State Park. Those plans, the two say, have existed for 30 years. "It is clear county government as been asleep at the switch for several years," they say in on their website