About 5,000 acres of land in Bucks County are enrolled in a state program called Clean and Green that gives large landowners significant tax cuts for keeping their property undeveloped. Land designated as "agricultural reserve" under the law is supposed to be open for public recreation, such as hunting, hiking and snowmobiling — but many land owners still prohibit public access. For example, Hulmeville Hill, a longtime local sledding spot, is part of the former 45-acre Black's Farm in Hulmeville Borough. The current owner, a Florida developer, gets a tax cut of more than 90% on the land as part of the Clean and Green program but told the Courier Times the land is not open to the public. The agricultural reserve land is dotted with "no trespassing" signs. Clean and Green as a whole is expected to allow for more than $15 million in tax cuts to Bucks County landowners in 2025 — money that other taxpayers have to cover to fund local governments and schools. Bucks County officials don't publish a list of enrolled properties, making it difficult for the public to access the land they subsidize. Read more at Bucks County Courier Times.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 10/13/2025