Funding announced for conservation, recreation

Six conservation and recreations projects in the county will receive nearly $3.5 million in state grant funding.

WEST CHESTER » State Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, announced that six conservation and recreations projects in his Chester County district will receive nearly $3.5 million in total state grant funding through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program (CCPP).

“Chester County is known far and wide for our dedication to preserving our open spaces and beautiful places – it is one of the very reasons that gives our region such a distinct sense of place and makes it such a great place to call home,” said Dinniman, who serves on the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “These grant funds will help us continue to build on our success in protecting our land, water, and environmental treasures, while also increasing recreational opportunities for residents and families throughout the area.”

The grants, which are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), are as follows:

• $500,000 for Chester County for the development of the Chester Valley Trail in West Whiteland Township. The funds will be used to construct about a mile of trail from Main Street to the Oaklands Corporate Center, including a bridge, landscaping, signage, ADA access and related improvements.

• $1,000,000 for Natural Lands Trust for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 442 acres along Saint Matthews Road in West Vincent and West Pikeland Townships for the creation of the Bryn Coed Preserve.

• $200,000 for New Garden Township for the further development of New

Garden Park, including the construction of parking areas and an access drive, pedestrian walkways, basketball courts, a pavilion, landscaping and signage, ADA access, and related improvements, as well as the installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing.

• $1,000,000 for the Conservation Fund for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 982.6 acres along Springlawn Road in Elk, Franklin and New London

Townships for an addition to the White Clay Creek Preserve and open space protection.

• $199,000 for the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 23 acres in London Britain Township to protect floodplain and riparian buffer habitat and provide recreation through a pledged trail connection to the White Clay Creek.

• $600,000 for the Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 182 acres located in Elk Township for the creation of a new nature preserve for environmental

education and passive recreation.

These grant projects come as part of 11 total projects throughout Chester County that were awarded more than $5 million in total CCPP funding.

Other projects that received funding in the county were as follows:

• $376,200 for the development of the Schuylkill River Trail in East Coventry Township. The funds will be used to construct a trailhead, restrooms, ADA access, landscaping, signage and related improvements.

• $500,000 for East Goshen Township for the rehabilitation and further development of the Milltown Dam Park. The funds will be used to construct a pond, fishing pier, bridges

and boardwalk, pedestrian walkways, parking areas and an access road, ADA access, landscaping, signage, and related improvements, as well as the restoration of riparian buffers.

• $30,000 for Honey Brook Township to prepare a Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space and Greenways Plan.

• $594,500 for Natural Lands Trust for payment toward the acquisition of approximately 57 acres along Chalfont Road in Wallace Township for an addition to Marsh Creek State Park and passive recreation.

• $66,000 for Westtown Township for the rehabilitation and further development of Tyson Park. The funds will be used to construct a parking area, pedestrian walkway and comfort station, ADA access, landscaping, signage and related improvements, as well as the installation of riparian buffers.

The Community Conservation Partnerships Program provides financial and technical assistance to local governments, river and trail organizations, land trusts, and other nonprofits for the planning, acquisition and development of park, recreation, conservation and greenway projects.

Funding for all of the grant projects in Chester County, except the East Goshen project, is provided through the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93). The East Goshen project is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.