Across Pennsylvania, Funds Announced to Support Efforts in Community Revitalization

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced an investment of $31.5 million for 218 conservation and recreation projects designed to protect natural resources and revitalize communities across the state.

"The health and vitality of our communities is reflected in the quality of their parks and trails, access to rivers, open spaces and opportunities to be active outdoors," he said. "Through these grants, we're able to fund hundreds of projects to help conserve and enhance our natural assets."

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Community Conservation Partnerships grant program combines several funding sources. Funding comes from DCNR’s Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the ATV/Snowmobile Fund generated through fees for licenses; and federal funds.

The grants will support a variety of proposals, including:

• Rehabilitation of Penn Park in York, Penn., which will include a “splash pad” with runoff water being recycled through a rain garden to reduce the impact on the storm drain system;
• A master site plan for Fischer Park in Towamencin Township in Montgomery County, which will include developing a porous parking lot, rain gardens and bioswales to manage storm water and protecting critical buffer habitats along the stream in the park; and
• Development of Camp Olympic in Lower Macungie Township in Lehigh County, which will also include rain gardens and bioswales for storm water management.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources