A recent court filing outlines allegations of negligence against multiple organizations following an incident at a local community event where an attendee claims to have suffered serious injuries due to unsafe conditions on the premises. The complaint, filed by Theresa Maraini in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on March 24, 2026, names as defendants the Newtown Square Historical Preservation Society, Newtown Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee doing business as The Family Festival in Drexel Lodge Park, the Newtown Square Pennsylvania Railroad Museum Association doing business as Newtown Square Railroad Museum, and the Township of Newtown.
According to the complaint prepared by attorney Marc F. Greenfield of Spear, Greenfield, Richman, Weitz & Taggart P.C., Maraini attended The Family Fun Festival in Drexel Lodge Park on September 21, 2024. She alleges that while she was directed by event representatives to park in a grassy field being used as a makeshift parking area at 4104 West Chester Pike in Newtown Township, she stepped into a concealed sinkhole covered by grass and fell, resulting in severe bodily injury.
The legal filing states that all named defendants were responsible for the care and safety of the premises during the event. It is alleged that they failed to properly inspect or maintain the parking area and did not provide adequate warnings about potential hazards such as hidden depressions or sinkholes. Maraini claims that “the Defendants knew or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should have known of the dangerous condition and/or had sufficient time to correct the condition or provide warning.” She further asserts that their failure “to properly inspect, maintain, correct, and/or warn of the hazardous depression and/or sinkhole” constituted a breach of their duty of care.
The complaint details numerous specific allegations against each defendant. These include failure to design or repair safe walking areas for attendees; lack of proper inspection or cleaning; insufficient warnings about foreseeable defects; failure to barricade dangerous areas; non-compliance with building codes and regulations; and general indifference toward public safety. Maraini also claims emotional distress alongside her physical injuries and alleges ongoing pain and financial loss due to medical expenses and diminished earning capacity.
Each count within the lawsuit is directed at one of the four defendants individually but incorporates similar allegations regarding their roles in managing or maintaining portions of Drexel Lodge Park during the festival. For each defendant named—Newtown Square Historical Preservation Society; Newtown Township’s Parks and Recreation Committee d/b/a The Family Festival in Drexel Lodge Park; Newtown Square Pennsylvania Railroad Museum Association d/b/a Newtown Square Railroad Museum; and Township of Newtown—the plaintiff seeks judgment “in an amount not in excess of Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars,” plus reasonable costs and any other relief deemed necessary by the court.
The case is classified as an arbitration matter requiring an assessment of damages hearing. No class action status is claimed nor are money damages sought outside arbitration limits according to court documents. Attorney Marc F. Greenfield represents Theresa Maraini in this matter under case ID BZOsrSZOED.
Source: CV2026002677_Theresa_Maraini_v_The_Newtown_Complaint_Delaware_County_of_Pennsylvania.pdf
