Conserveland

Contact Us | Get Updates

Welcome to Conserveland.org
  • Login
  • Create Account
  • About
    • Vision & Mission
    • Background
    • Board of Directors
    • Policy Advisory Committee
    • Member Organizations
    • Milestones
    • Public Policy Accomplishments
    • Bylaws
    • Program Reports
    • Staff
  • Conservation Basics
  • Stories
    • Success Story Map
    • In Their Own Words
    • Stories of Land and People
    • Video
    • Conservation Champions
    • More Stories
  • Jobs
    • Job Board
    • Submit A Job Listing
  • Training
    • 2020 Western PA Summit
    • Trailability: DEI and Access on Recreational Trails in PA
    • 2020 Trail Workshops
    • 2020 WeConservePA Webinars
    • 2020 EAC Network Conference
    • Past Conferences
    • Mentorship Program
  • News
    • Archive
    • Newsletters
  • Support
    • Donate Online
    • Donate by Check
    • Gifford Pinchot Society
    • Planned Giving and Stock Donations
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • AmazonSmile
    • Donate Your Vehicle
You are here: Home / Conservation Projects / Natural Lands Trust Repairing Iconic Sculpture at Stoneleigh
6
March

Natural Lands Trust Repairing Iconic Sculpture at Stoneleigh

03/06/2017

Natural Lands Trust is restoring the iconic wooden rabbits that watch over County Line Road from their perch at the edge of Stoneleigh. These charming carvings were created by local chainsaw artist Marty Long in 2002. Long was commissioned by John and Chara Haas, the former estate owners, to depict the Haas family as hares (Haas means “hare” in German) for this playful sculpture, which includes two large rabbits—mom and dad—and five baby bunnies representing the five Haas children.

Over the years, the rabbits have become a beloved landmark in the community, often being dressed up for holidays, graduations, and sporting events. But exposure to the elements over the years has taken its toll and now the wooden sculpture is crumbling. Natural Lands Trust acquired Stoneleigh in Villanova in April, 2016, through a generous donation from the Haas family. As a part of the extensive preparations for Stoneleigh to become a public garden, Natural Lands Trust prioritized refreshing the rabbit sculpture.

“Stoneleigh is a pretty spectacular place,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “But the thing I’m most often asked about since we acquired the property is the rabbit sculpture. Everyone loves it! We knew we needed to give the bunnies the rehab they deserved after more than a decade watching over the grounds.”

Stoneleigh includes stately trees, winding pathways, and lush gardens that the Haas family carefully stewarded over the decades. In the past, Chara and John Haas hosted friends and family for the annual Stoneleigh Stroll-About, where visitors could spot many rabbit references all over the gardens. Dennis Canakis, a longtime caretaker at Stoneleigh and currently the Property Manager at the garden, recalled the local relationship to the sculpture. “People know it’s just part of the community and adore it,” he said. “It was definitely a big attraction here. During the Stoneleigh Stroll-About people would always head toward the bunny sculpture.” When John and Chara Haas passed away in 2001 and 2012, respectively, the rabbits wore angel wings; some members of the community left flowers at the base of the sculpture.

Fortunately, artist Marty Long was available to carve a replica sculpture so the rabbits can continue to be the face of Stoneleigh. The process is expected to take up to a month.

Steve Shreiner of Shreiner Tree Care donated the white oak stump that will serve as the base of the new sculpture, as well as the services to transport and place it at Stoneleigh. This is a huge donation—literally—as the trunk weighs about 22,000 pounds. With this donation and the commitment of the original artist to this project, the rabbits will be rejuvenated and ready for their new life looking over Stoneleigh as it welcomes visitors once again.

Stoneleigh: A Natural Garden, will open to the public in the spring of 2018.

Filed Under: Conservation Projects Tagged With: preserve

No Comments
categories: Conservation Projects

Categories

  • General Interest
  • Conservation Organization
  • Conservation Learning
  • Bigger Picture
  • Funding
  • Public Policy
  • Conservation Resources
  • PALTA News
  • Uncategorized
  • Conservation Projects
  • Conservation People
  • Items of Interest

Archives

  • Conserved Properties for Sale
  • Conservation Easement Assistance Program
Get The Latest News

WeConservePA envisions future generations enjoying—undiminished—Pennsylvania’s natural areas and open spaces.

Thank you to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for supporting the Association’s conservation efforts.

© 2023 · Pennsylvania Land Trust Association