Woods is making significant organizational changes and investments to better meet the needs of children and adults with complex needs.
One component of Woods’ transformation has been to consider the future purpose for its 285-acre campus. With the help of KieranTimberlake, a Philadelphia architecture and site planning firm, Woods is re-envisioning uses for its 175 acres of undeveloped land as well as options to re-purpose existing structures and sections of the remainder of its campus to best meet its mission and its population health model.
Woods serves people who have lifelong, complex disabilities whose needs will change over their lifespans. Woods’ leadership feels the time is right to think differently about how Woods provides care for life and embark on a master plan that leverages the campus not only to serve Woods but also for the greater Bucks County community.
HOW RE-EVENVISIONING WOODS MAY LEAD TO FURTHER INTEGRATION WITH COMMUNITY
Woods’ CEO, Tine Hansen-Turton, indicates that because of Woods Services’ sizable property, the master plan work can also consider new ways of supporting families of residents, staff, and other members of our Woods family.
“For example, what if we provided opportunities for family living here so that parents could live with their children in our care and have the 24/7 support to make it possible? What if we offered affordable housing options for our staff, easing financial and commuting concerns for them? What if we expanded our thinking to develop intentional, independent living communities to meet the needs of specific disabilities like dementia support or autism? And what if all of this was possible on a campus that is well integrated with our surrounding neighbors,” she said. “There’s real potential to address broader social and community issues as part of this work.
“The current campus and facilities play a large role in the lives of individuals and their families. Woods is asking some very thoughtful and provocative questions, both about their day-to-day operations and their aspirations for the future. The master plan will create a more welcoming and open campus that can evolve and adapt to the changing needs in healthcare, housing, education, and wellness now and in the future. “
We are looking forward to working together to make informed, creative, and meaningful changes to their campus that will advance their goals across time,” says Matthew Krissel, Partner at KieranTimberlake.
THE TIMELINE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND REPURPOSING OF WOODS
The master plan and campus transformation will be a multi-year project.
Currently, the property’s infrastructure, including roads, power, water, and sewer, is all managed by Woods. In addition to the population health goals, the master plan would also account for converting private roads into public ones and potentially providing office space for government entities, other nonprofits, and related businesses to lease.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to really impact the trajectory of a vital, vibrant organization for the good of the people we serve, the people who work here, and the community at large,” said Kevin Sheetz, Chair of Woods Services’ Board of Trustees. “As a long-time resident and proponent of Bucks County, I am thrilled that our approach to this site plan will intentionally include thinking on how to create opportunities for partnerships with the county and with other community- and service-oriented organizations based here in Bucks while also establishing a vision for the long-term relevance of all that Woods offers.”
