Community Planning Month Highlights the Power of Regional Partnerships

Posted October 1, 2026

A group of neighboring townships debate the shared impact of a large new development. A battlefield's history stretches across county lines. A trail connects one community to the next. And the decisions towns make today can shape the region for years to come. Planning for these places and challenges takes people working and planning together.

This October, Chester County is celebrating Community Planning Month by recognizing the partnerships behind that work. The Chester County Planning Commission (CCPC) works with municipalities, neighboring counties, regional organizations, and residents to plan for a future that serves communities across the region.

The Brandywine Battlefield offers a powerful example. As the 250th anniversary of the battle approaches in 2027, CCPC's work with Delaware County is helping bring together the stories of the battle and the places connected to it. By looking across county lines, the two counties can better understand and preserve the historic landscapes they share.

That same type of collaboration can be seen along the Chester Valley Trail. Each new connection takes coordination among counties, municipalities, regional partners, and the public. Work to extend the trail west into Atglen brings us closer to a larger vision: a connection with Lancaster County's Enola Low Grade Trail that will give people even more places to walk, bike, and explore.

Some partnerships help communities prepare for changes that are less visible on the landscape. Chester County's work with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission brings regional sustainability resources and perspectives into local planning. And as municipalities consider how to address data centers, CCPC and the Montgomery County Planning Commission have developed a Data Center Ordinance Guide to help local officials navigate this evolving and challenging land use.

Whether the goal is preserving a shared history, connecting trails, or preparing for what comes next, these efforts are made possible by people willing to plan together.

This Community Planning Month, we thank the planners, municipal officials, partners, and community members helping Chester County and its neighbors work together to build a more prosperous connected future!