The Cherry Hill township completed the purchase of Holly Ravine Farm on Monday, ensuring the preservation of the property from future development. The township had granted approval of the property’s purchase of the 23-acre farm in September and finalized the deal for $3.86 million this week.

When a Texas-based developer sought to construct a senior housing complex on the land off of Evesham and Springdale roads, the local zoning board rejected the plan. The proposal received pushback from Cherry Hill residents, expressing concerns about the loss of green space, the anticipated impact on traffic on frequently congested roads, and other issues the housing complex could create. Additionally, the township plans on preserving the site and maintaining it as open space for the community.

Council President Dave Fleisher emphasized that the purchase reflects the town’s “commitment to preserving our open spaces, protecting our trees, investing in our parks, trails and historic sites, and to creating a greener Cherry Hill.”

Holly Ravine Farm had been owned by the Gilmour family since 1921, holding historical significance. In 1933, John C. Gilmour, a dairy farmer who later became Cherry Hill’s mayor, established the Cowtail Bar ice cream parlor. Three decades later, Gilmour added a petting zoo on the farm known as Moo Zoo, rebuilding part of the farm that had been destroyed by a fire in 1947. Although those businesses closed in the late ‘80s for the opening of The Shoppes shopping center at Holly Ravine, the farm remains as a source of fond memories to several generations of Cherry Hill residents.

“Holly Ravine farm holds an important place in our history… and our hearts,” said Cherry Hill councilwoman Sangeeta Doshi. “Generations of Cherry Hill residents have such fond memories of the farm, and now future generations will be able to make their own memories and share in this special open space.”