Residents of Upper Gwynedd and the surrounding areas have the chance to enjoy a beautiful new nature preserve after Merck recently dedicated the Dodsworth Run Preserve on Dickerson Road to the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, writes Dan Sokil for the Times Herald.

“Merck is pleased, not only to create a wonderful setting for the community, but to donate the property to the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association to ensure lasting, quality land use, as part of the Green Ribbon Trail network,” said Steve Mongiardo, Merck’s Executive Director of Facilities Management for Pennsylvania Operations.

Bob McMahon, President of Merck’s U.S. Market Global Human Health Division, added that turning the property into a green destination will not only benefit the surrounding community, but also the close to 10,000 Merck employees who work close to the beautiful site.

The new preserve features 1,325 feet of walking trail, 700 feet of sidewalk, as well as a 250-foot wooden boardwalk. The land used to house a manufacturing facility and is in walking distance of the child learning center opened by the company just south of it.

Read more about the Preserve and watch a video of last week’s dedication ceremony in the Times Herald here.