3 Chester County park upgrades get $900K in state funding

The parks are in East Pikeland, West Vincent, East Brandywine

Three Chester County township parks have received nearly $1 million in state funding for upgrades, the office of state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-155th District, announced.

Projects in East Pikeland, West Vincent and East Brandywine townships received a total of $917,200 in community conservation grants. The grants are part of an investment in 317 projects across the commonwealth funded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Community Conservation Partnerships Program.

Funding has been distributed as follows:

• East Pikeland Township: $607,400 to develop the Hidden River Park and

Preserve. This grant will help fund the construction of a pavilion, comfort station, park maintenance building, nature play area, pedestrian walkways and bridge, observation deck, parking area and stormwater management measures. Funding will also help cover costs associated with installing fencing and utilities, strengthening ADA access, landscaping, and related site improvements.

• West Vincent Township: $250,000 to develop Opalanie Park. This will include building a pavilion, fishing pier, pedestrian walkway, loop trail, parking area, stormwater management measures and installing play equipment. Funding will also help strengthen ADA access and other site improvements.

• East Brandywine Township: $59,800 to rehabilitate and develop Bondsville Mill Park, to include adding a parking area, installing a horticultural garden, increased ADA access, landscaping and other site improvements.

“Modern, safe, and accessible parks are an asset to any community,” Otten said in a press release. “They serve as areas for people of all ages and abilities to connect with one another, make memories and enjoy the beauty of our area. I’m grateful to our municipalities for applying for this funding and proud to see this investment in the 155th Legislative District, as these three projects will create new recreational opportunities and improve quality of life for residents of these townships and beyond.”

The awarded grants were allocated from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, fees for ATV/ Snowmobile licenses and federal monies.